If you love sports, you can now turn that passion into profit with betting on them. From time-honored classics like football and basketball to newer sensations such as eSports, sports betting turns spectators into stakeholders and can amplify the experience.
The most basic bet is a moneyline, where you wager on a team to win. This type of bet is ideal for newcomers to sports betting because it’s a no-frills wager that essentially boils down to selecting which team will emerge victorious.
Another common bet is the spread bet, which involves placing a bet on either the team to win by a specific margin of victory or to lose by a certain amount. The spread is determined by the oddsmakers and reflects the expected margin of victory. The goal of the spread bet is to make a wager that will return a profit, covering the sportsbook’s “juice,” or vig, which covers operational costs.
Lastly, you can make correlated parlays, where you pair two bets that are closely connected. For example, if you believe that a strong defensive team will dominate a game, you can bet on them to win and also place a bet on the ‘Over’ for total points scored. This will guarantee a profit if both bets win.
Finally, be sure to research your jurisdiction’s laws and regulations before placing any bets. Some countries have strict gambling laws and may impose heavy fines or even jail time on tourists caught participating in illegal sports betting. You should also always keep track of your bets on a standard spreadsheet, as losses can quickly add up.