Sports betting is a popular form of wagering. It involves placing bets on the outcome of sporting events, such as horse races or football matches like NFL picks against the spread. The bettor may choose to bet on whether an event will occur, or if it has already occurred.
There are several popular types of bets that can be placed in sports betting. These include:
Moneyline Betting – This type of bet requires you to predict which team will win the game. You can also make this type of bet by predicting the score of the game. Money line betting is one of the most common forms of sports betting.
To place a moneyline bet, you need to select two teams and then set your stake amount for each team. If the Eagles win the game, you would get paid $100; if they lose, you would lose $100.
Total Points Betting – This type allows you to predict the total points scored during the entire match. This type of bet is usually used when there is no clear favorite or underdog. When betting, you need to pick a team and then set your stake. For example, if you think the Seahawks will win the game against the 49ers with both teams combining to score more than 50 points, you would put $50 on the Seahawks.
Over/Under Bets – Similar to total points betting, over/under bets allow you to predict the number of goals or points that will be scored during the entire match, either above or below the current point spread, without needing to pick a winner. When making an over/under bet, you must first decide what the point spread should be. Then, you simply choose between winning or losing.
An example of an over/under bet would be a line of 43.5 points in the Patriots-Falcons game. In other words, you’re simply betting one whether the teams will combine to score more or less than 43.5 points, without needing to pick a winner.
Point Spread Betting – Point spread bets are somewhat of a hybrid between moneyline and over/under bets. In this scenario, you’re betting on both the winning team and the margin of victory.
When making a point spread bet, you need to determine how close you think the game will be. A point spread is a difference between the predicted score of the winner and the loser. For example, if the point spread reads “Minnesota Vikings +3.5 at Green Bay Packers -3.5,” a bet on the Packers would only hit if Green Bay won by at least four points. Similarly, a bet on the Vikings would hit if the Vikings won OR if they lost by fewer than four points.
Exact Score Betting – As the name would lead you to believe, exact score bets involve predicting the exact score of the game. To make this kind of bet, you need to know who the favorites and underdogs are. Once you know who the favorites and the underdogs are, you can bet on the exact score. For example, if you think that the Packers will win the game by 10-14 points, you could place a bet on the Packers winning by exactly 14 points.
Verdict
If you are new to betting, it is key to begin with small stakes. As you become more experienced, you can increase your bets. However, remember that too much risk can lead to financial ruin.
Before you start betting, you should always consider your level of experience and knowledge. Only bet on games where you understand the rules well enough to know what the odds are. Also, never bet more than you can afford to lose.
