Straight Bets
Straight bets are the most common and straightforward type of sports bets. With straight bets, you’re betting on which team will win the game.
Most straight bets use a point spread, which is a margin of points the favorite team must win by for the bet to pay off.
If the favorite doesn’t win by more than the point spread, those who bet on the underdog win.
Moneyline Bets
The odds in moneyline bets are presented differently than in point spread bets. They are often shown with a plus or minus sign in front of a number.
The team or athlete with a negative sign (-) is the favorite, while the one with a positive sign (+) is considered the underdog.
The numbers themselves represent how much money a bettor would need to wager to win $100, or how much a bettor could win if they wagered $100.
If the odds are -150, it means you would need to bet $150 to win $100. Conversely, if the odds are +150, it means you would win $150 if you bet $100.
While moneyline bets are simple to place, a strategic approach can maximize your potential earnings and minimize your risks.
Generally, it can be more profitable to bet on the underdog in a moneyline bet because you stand to win more money.
However, this comes with increased risk, as underdogs are less likely to win.
For favorites, while the risk is less, the potential payouts are also smaller.
Therefore, betting on favorites in moneyline bets can be a safer, albeit potentially less profitable, strategy.
Moneyline bets are one of the simplest types of sports betting and are an excellent place for beginners to start.
However, just like with any other type of bet, understanding the strategy and doing your research can greatly improve your success rate.
Remember, the ultimate goal should be to have fun and gamble responsibly.
Totals (Over/Under) Bets
With totals bets, or over/under bets, you’re not betting on which team will win, but rather on whether the total number of points scored by both teams will be over or under a number set by the bookmaker.
This type of betting can make any game exciting, even if one team is heavily favored to win over the other.
Parlay Bets
Parlay bets involve making multiple selections (usually between 2 and 12) as part of a single bet.
All selections must win for the parlay to pay out, making these bets a high-risk, high-reward proposition.
Parlays can be made across different sports and bet types.
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Proposition Bets (Props)
Proposition bets, or “prop” bets, involve wagering on specific events within a game, such as how many yards a football player will rush for, or whether a baseball player will hit a home run.
These bets can also involve non-sporting events, such as the outcome of a coin toss.
Futures Bets
Futures bets are wagers placed on the outcome of events that will happen in the future, such as who will win the Super Bowl next year or who will win the NBA MVP award.
Because these events have so many potential outcomes and occur over a longer timeframe, futures bets can be particularly exciting and potentially lucrative.
Teaser and Pleaser Bets
Teasers and pleasers are types of bets that allow you to adjust point spreads in exchange for adjusted odds.
Teasers allow you to shift the point spread more favorably, but at reduced odds, while pleasers let you move the point spread to make it harder, but with increased odds.
Conclusion
Sports betting is a thrilling activity that can add an extra layer of excitement to watching your favorite sports.
By understanding the different types of bets, you can expand your betting strategy and potentially improve your chances of winning.
Always remember, responsible betting should be practiced at all times.