Sports Betting Guide 101 – How to Bet on Sports
Sports betting is a popular pastime for many people, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it exciting to watch your favorite teams and players, but it can also be an opportunity to win some money. However, for those who are new to the world of sports betting, it can be overwhelming trying to understand the different types of bets and how to place them. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you get started.
Understanding Odds: The Basics of Betting
Before you start placing bets, it’s important to understand how odds work. Odds are used to determine how much money you can win if you bet on a particular outcome. Typically, odds are expressed as a ratio or a fraction, with the first number representing how much you can win if you bet the second number. For example, if the odds are 2/1, you would win $2 for every $1 you bet.
Moneyline Betting: How to Bet on the Winner
Moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward types of bets. It simply involves betting on which team or player will win the game or match. In moneyline betting, the odds will be listed next to each team or player, with a minus sign (-) indicating the favorite and a plus sign (+) indicating the underdog. For example, if the odds are -150 for Team A and +130 for Team B, it means that Team A is the favorite, and you would need to bet $150 to win $100. If you bet on Team B, you would win $130 for every $100 you bet.
Spread Betting: How to Bet on the Point Spread
Spread betting is a type of bet that takes the point spread into account. The point spread is a handicap that is used to even out the odds between two teams. In spread betting, you’re not just betting on which team will win, but also on whether they will win by a certain margin. For example, if the odds are -7.5 for Team A and +7.5 for Team B, it means that Team A is favored to win by more than 7.5 points. If you bet on Team A, they would need to win by 8 or more points for you to win your bet.
Totals Betting: How to Bet on the Total Score
Totals betting, also known as over/under betting, is a type of bet that involves predicting whether the total score of a game or match will be over or under a certain number. For example, if the total is set at 45, you would bet on whether the final score of the game will be over or under 45 points. If you bet on the over and the final score is 27-24, you would win your bet.
Parlays: How to Bet on Multiple Games
A parlay is a type of bet that combines multiple bets into one. The more bets you include in your parlay, the higher the potential payout. However, all of the bets in your parlay must be correct in order for you to win. For example, if you bet on a three-team parlay and one of the teams loses, you lose your entire bet.
Props and Futures: How to Bet on Special Events
Props and futures betting involves placing bets on specific events or outcomes that are not directly related to the outcome of a game or match. For example, you might bet on who will win the MVP award for a particular league, or how many home runs a player will hit in a season. Props and futures bets can be fun and exciting, but they can also be more difficult to predict.
Choose a Sportsbook: Where to Bet on Sports
Before you start placing bets, you’ll need to choose a sportsbook. There are many different sportsbooks to choose from, so it’s important to do your research and find one that is reputable and offers competitive odds. Look for sportsbooks that offer a wide variety of sports and betting options, as well as convenient and secure payment methods. Our top recommendation is Bovada Sportsbook, a trusted online sportsbook since 2011 and still to this day the most popular sportsbook for USA citizens. Other top sportsbooks we recommends include Draft Kings, BetMGM, Fan Duel and MyBookie.
Handicapping: Tips for Analyzing Games and Teams
Handicapping is the process of analyzing games and teams in order to identify potential betting opportunities. There are many different factors to consider when handicapping, including team statistics, player performance, injuries, and weather conditions. It’s important to take a systematic and analytical approach to handicapping, as this will help you make more informed betting decisions.
Professional Sports Handicapping Services: How to Choose the Right One
If you’re serious about sports betting and want to improve your chances of winning, you may want to consider using a professional sports handicapping service. These services provide expert analysis and betting recommendations, and can help you identify profitable betting opportunities. When choosing a handicapping service, look for one that has a proven track record of success and offers transparent and affordable pricing. NSAwins.com has been the nation’s top overall sports handicapping service since 2001 and offers expert sports picks daily from World Champion Handicapper Sonny LaFouchi(aka “The LEGEND”) and the nation’s #1 professional sports betting syndicate, Vegas Black Card Club.
