Thomo Sabong is a popular term in the Philippines for a particular and very peculiar of cock fighting. As a sport, cockfighting is already a pastime of developed nations and has become some form of entertainment, but it has been long known to exist in the pre-colonial Philippines, where it was primarily used as a means of uniting the community. As with everything, socio economic changes have also altered the world of cock fighting in the Philippines, now emerging as a major multi billion dollar industry, supported by the government and private entities, and slowly marketing itself through online streaming platforms as a new e-sports. Just like boxing, it features the professional and amateur divisions, resulting in a huge market for the breeding and training of fighting cocks.
What is Thomo Sabong?
In Thomo Sabong, the cocks are specifically selected, bred, and trained to fight. They are fitted with gaffs, which are blades fixed to the natural spurs of the cocks. These are used to slash and thrust during the fight. The fighting birds strut their stuff in the specially designed arenas or ‘cockpits’ which spectators attend to place bets on their favorite cock.
How Thomo Sabong Matches Work
Fight Rules & Regulations
As with all sporting contests, some rules and regulations guide Thomo Sabong that serve to protect the participants and maintain the spirit of the sport. These rules touch on everything from the weigh-in and inspection of the roosters to rules covering the conduct of the fight itself.
Rooster Preparation: Leading up to the bout, the roosters are put through a series of matches that are attended by their managers and spectators. They are weighed, examined for injuries, and fitted with sharp gaffs. The cocks are also thoroughly looked after to ensure that they are well hydrated before the match.
Match Staging: The fights are held in a ring, which is typically Circular or oval, with an enclosed raised stage at the center. The arena has a special arrangement of raised seats to accommodate viewers who want to have a good view of the action.
Fight Initiation: The fight starts when the two roosters are brought to the center of the enclosure facing one another. The handlers set the birds loose, and the roosters start to show their fierce battle of enthralling strength and formidable agility.
Fight Duration: Thomo Sabong fights are generally very short, only lasting a few minutes. The fight goes on until one of the roosters is either dead or severely injured to the point where he can no longer continue.
Judging and Scoring: The fights are overseen by judges, and according to the set guidelines, they determine the outcome of the fight by taking note of successful hits landed, aggression demonstrated, and overall performance of the roosters in the battle.
Types of Sabong Bets
Bets are an important part of Thomo Sabong because fans are always eager to bet on the outcomes of the fights. Each type of bet has different odds and payouts.
Main Bet: As the name suggests, this is the principal bet placed on a particular fighter. Although the bettor may choose either of the two competing roosters, the odds and payouts depend on the bird’s strength and performance.
Side Bets: Spectators may also engage in a variety of more side bets, such as how many times the viewable bird will strike, the expected length of the fight, and how exactly the fight will come to an end (i.e., knock out and or surrender).
Parlay Bets: Parlay bets can also be opted for by seasoned bettors who use the strategy of putting several bets on a single wager. Though this plan has a higher profit ratio, higher risk is involved too.
Exotic Bets: Some cockfighting events may also bet on the color of the winning rooster’s comb or the direction of the first attack.
Comprehending the various types of wagers and their corresponding odds is important in formulating appropriate strategies for betting in Thomo Sabong.
See more: Sabong with Iron Spurs
Best Betting Strategies for Thomo Sabong
One must possess a skill set and know how to use it in strategy when betting in Thomo Sabong. The best players of this sport are known to use a combination of methods to boost their chances of winning and controlling their bankroll.
Reading the Rooster’s Form & History
An important part of Thomo Sabong betting is knowing how to appraise the form and the history of the fighting roosters. Most successful bettors spend considerable time researching the bird’s background details, such as its training and past performance, so that they can determine the rooster’s potential.
The rooster’s pedigree and lineage: It is reasonable to inquire whether or not the roosters are bred and whether their genetic stock has any potential value. People who place bets are likely to try to find out bred birds and their forefathers to evaluate their fighting chances.
Training and Conditioning: Whether a rooster has the alarm to rise and fight can either help or hinder its performance. As a bettor, you have to pay attention to the workouts, nutrition, and preparations to help you understand their state of readiness for the forthcoming battle.
Previous Fight Records: Understanding the fight history of the competing roosters will give you some ideas about performance, behaviors, and how they change to suit different match situations. This will aid the bettors in making better selections in their bets.
Behavior Observations: Watching the roosters in the ‘pre-fight’ ceremony and the fight can also give you some insights about their character traits, level of aggression, and ability to tolerate competitive pressure. As in most betting games, those who understand behavioral signs correctly will have an advantage in making betting decisions.
Managing Your Bankroll Effectively
The principles of money management apply to Thomo Sabong betting. An effective strategy will prevent chronic binge betting and enable the bettors to avoid heavy losses over time.
Allocating Money: It is very important to determine the amount of money you want to invest in your betting account. Most experts suggest that the most reasonable figure for Thomo Sabong betting is somewhere between five to ten percent of all your savings, as this will ensure that if you suffer a loss, your finances will not be severely impacted.
Determining Your Stake: Something that goes hand in hand with effective management of one’s bankroll is bet sizing. In an attempt to manage and grow their bankroll, betters should avoid making large and foolish bets that they are most likely to lose. Rather, they should adopt a methods approach whereby they set aside a percentage of their total bankroll for each wager they place and stay within that limit.
Splitting Your Bet: If you want to place some additional bets in Thomo Sabong, you can consider other events and try to expand your portfolio. If all your funding and resources for your cockfighting bets evaporate, then you can use a small portion for other sporting events or different forms of gambling.
Self Control: Successful Thomo Sabong betters are often people who have above average self-control. Most betters know how to pursue further bets when they suffer a loss without letting it turn into chasing losses. They know how to avoid making foolish bets that would set them back financially.
Where to Bet on Thomo Sabong Online?
In today’s world, the online world offers several betting platforms, making it easier for punters to participate in Thomo Sabong. These platforms are designed to meet the demand of experienced and new Thomo Sabong fans and have several perks for everyone.
One good option for online Thomo Sabong wagering is Winpope, a well-known Philippine-based sportsbook that specializes in cockfighting and other traditional Filipino sports. Winpope has placed itself as an authority in Thomo Sabong betting by facilitating its users with a simple and safe website where buyers can place wagers on numerous available matches and different types of bets.
The website features live streaming, which allows bettors to follow their teams during Thomo Sabong matches. This helps punters make informed decisions while the event is ongoing. Besides, Winpope offers detailed informational research regarding the rivaling roosters, their statistics, and other betting odds, enabling users to place well-informed wagers.
Conclusion
Philippine Cockfighting, or Thomo Sabong, is an intriguing sport that is well celebrated across the Philippines. The enjoyment derived from watching the fights, the betting, and the skill and strategies of the fighters have all ensured that this particular cultural activity has survived the ravages of time and change.
People keen on understanding the intricacies that revolve around Thomo Sabong betting must first learn about the distinct rules, regulations, and the different types of bets. Moderating one’s bets, analyzing the competing rooster’s form and history, and controlling finances can all improve one’s overall experience with this sport.
With a deep appreciation for the history of Thomo Sabong, Filipinos can now use the features provided by online betting platforms like Winpope to make the most out of his traditional sport and win strategically through advanced wagering techniques.