Sports betting is a popular way to wager on a variety of sporting events. It can be a great way to make some extra money, or even win big! But it’s not for everyone. It takes time, dedication and a healthy bankroll to make it a profitable activity.
The Most Common Bets You Can Place
If you’re new to sports betting, you may not know the different types of bets you can place. There are three main types of bets you can make: point spreads, moneylines and totals. Understanding how these bets work and how to place them can help you become a more successful bettor.
Point Spreads, or “Spread” bets, are a type of betting that assigns an expected difference between two teams and makes it easier for bettors to win their wagers. These bets are commonly used in the NFL and other major professional sports, and can help you win a lot of money if you play smart.
The easiest way to make money with a spread bet is to choose the team that’s expected to be the underdog. This is a strategy that’s often used by recreational bettors, but it’s also an option for more experienced players.
If you bet on the underdog, you’ll pay a lower price than if you bet on the favorite. The -5.5 line is the odds that a bettor must bet to win if they expect the Dallas Cowboys to win by more than six points against the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s important to note that the odds aren’t always set at the same level at each sportsbook. Some books will post a Cavs -8 while another will have the same line at -7.5, so it’s worth shopping around to see which one has the best odds for your bet.
Most sportsbooks will allow you to place these bets online. Once you’ve chosen the team you want to bet on, you’ll enter your betting amount and click “confirm.”
You can also place these bets in person at a sportsbook. This is an increasingly popular way to place a bet, especially for those who live in areas where sports betting is legal.
Many people who bet on the underdog like to use the moneyline, which is a single bet on one outcome. This type of bet is typically less expensive than the spread bet, but it doesn’t offer a guaranteed profit.
This type of bet is also a great way to bet on a team you believe will win the game, without having to worry about paying a higher price for a spread bet.
Some sportsbooks will also let you bet on totals, which are similar to point spreads but don’t require you to decide which side will win. These bets are based on the number of runs/goals/points that will be scored by both teams in a game.
This type of bet isn’t as popular as the point spread or moneyline bets, but it can still be a lucrative option for some savvy bettors. It’s a little more difficult to bet on totals because there are fewer games to choose from, but it can be an effective way to bet on your favorite teams.