In sports betting, an also-ran typically denotes a team or athlete that is not expected to perform well in a given event. This term can apply to various sports, where certain competitors may be deemed unlikely to win due to previous performance, rankings, or other factors. Bettors may choose to avoid placing wagers on also-rans, as the odds for such competitors are usually much lower compared to favorites. However, in some cases, betting on an also-ran might offer higher payouts if the competitor exceeds expectations and performs better than anticipated.
Also-Ran Example
For example, in a horse race featuring ten participants, if the top three horses are heavily favored to win based on their past performances, the remaining seven could be labeled as also-rans. If one of these also-ran horses finishes in the top three, it may yield significant payouts for bettors who took the risk.