Sports betting is the process of placing a wager on an outcome of a sporting event. It can involve many different types of bets and is a fun way to get involved in sports.
Betting odds
The first thing new sports bettors need to learn is how to understand the odds on a sportsbook’s board. The odds come in American, decimal and fractional form and are simply a representation of how much a team is expected to win or lose. A minus (-) sign indicates a favorite and a plus (+) sign means an underdog.
+EV
A +EV (positive expected value) bet is a very important part of any successful sports bettor’s strategy. While casual bettors (often referred to as “the public”) don’t use this strategy enough, it is a foundational method for winning long-term bets.
Value bets
The most common type of value bet is a bet on an underdog. Backing an underdog is a smart move because it offers an opportunity to make money even if the team loses the game.
Totals bets
A totals bet is a simple way to predict the number of runs, goals and points that will be scored during an upcoming game. In a Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks game, a total of 42.5 would indicate that the two teams will combine for 43 or more runs/goals/points by the end of the game.
As with any other kind of wagering, it’s always a good idea to do your research and find out which betting markets work best for you. This can include researching which teams are most popular, finding out what sportsbook offers the best odds for a particular game and more.