Sports betting is a type of gambling where you place money on a certain outcome in a sporting event. The wager can be on a single game, or you can combine multiple games into a parlay.
You can bet on anything from the outcome of a football match to how many points a baseball team will score. There are even prop bets that offer more granular outcomes.
In-Play Betting
In-play bets allow you to place a bet on an ongoing game. Typically, you will need to sign up for an account with a sportsbook. Once you’ve done that, you can start placing bets on the live stream of the game.
Total (Over/Under) Bets
Over/Under bets are one of the most popular types of bets in American sports betting. They’re based on the total number of points scored by both teams. If the combined score of the game is less than or equal to your proposed total, you win the bet.
Pushes & Ties
If you bet on the Seahawks-Rams Over 42.5, for example, and the team loses by less than or equal to your proposed total, your bet will be a push. Some sportsbooks will refund your bets on a push, while others count it as a loss and pay you back only the original bet.
Money Lines, Spreads & Parlays
The most common bet in sports betting is the moneyline bet. This bet is placed on the team that you think will win a game, and is often the best choice for beginners.
Money lines are set by sportsbooks based on their odds for the event. They will have higher odds for events with a high probability of occurring, and lower odds for events with a low probability of happening.
Props
Proposition bets are another form of sports betting that is gaining popularity. They are similar to point spreads and moneylines, but they have a bigger variation in prices. This can make them more attractive to riskier bettors.
They can also be a good way to make extra cash by betting against the public. However, if you’re going to bet on them, you need to choose the right bet for the right amount.
Bankroll Management
Before you begin betting, you need to decide how much you want to risk on each bet and how to manage your money. Ideally, you should have a set percentage of your total bankroll dedicated to each bet, so that you don’t lose all your cash on one bad day.
Arbitrage Tools
Using tools that allow you to compare odds from different sportsbooks is a great way to maximize your profits. For instance, Odds Jam’s Arbitrage betting tool can help you uncover mismatched odds between sportsbooks. You can then use this information to place bets on both sides of the equation and guarantee a profit.