How to Bet on Sports

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 0 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #12,008 in Sports, #281,563 overall

How Do You Bet on Sports?

Betting on sports has been around for ages, but the world of Sports Betting is rapidly increasing every day. For many reasons people are attracted to betting on sports. No matter the reason someone decides to bet on sports (whether it be financial or pastime), the fact remains it can be a little overwhelming if you don't know what you're doing.
This lens will give you a lesson in sports betting- 101 if you will. :)

Enjoy, and happy betting!

Sports Betting Basics 

You know you need 'em!

Sports betting is certainly a very challenging type of betting-and gambling, and other than its seeming lack of strategy and complete reliance on any knowledge of the event, good sports betting actually relies on a great deal of strategy which is required to win. (Tips on betting sports and techniques). The most important tactics include a close analysis of the information upon which a sound judgment is to be based and after which the bet should be placed. A winning strategy must have these factors included:

1. The amount of the bid

2. The type of bet

3. The odds on offer

Sportsbooks in the US and Bookmakers in UK are entities that accept and take sports bets. The bets can be placed by betting on the end result of many sporting events like Baseball, Snooker, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Football, Tennis and hundreds of athletics. Two of the most basic definitions in sports betting are: a sportsbook is the one who accepts the sports bet. An oddsmaker is the one who sets the odds of betting.

The Different Types of Bets 

Read 'em, learn 'em, and use 'em!

Betting the Odds

Before placing a bet, you must first pick the type of bet and the amount you will wager. This decision will depend upon the odds that are being offered. Before ever placing a bet, carefully study the range of all the odds.

For the bet to be worthwhile, the odds should be in a ratio of at least 2:1. Remember to take into account the factor of the total amount being given by way of commission to the sports-book. This should ideally be a minimal percentage of the entire value of the odds.

Listed below is a description of some of the more common kinds of bets:

1. Single or Straight Bet: This is the basic form of betting and allows you to the option of betting at given odds, upon a winner.

2. Point Spread: By betting this type of bet, one can bet on one of two selections that have been equated through the allocation of suitable points. In the Point Spread, the number of allocated points are presented with a + sign for the favorable side and a - sign for the underdog. The better wins when the favored team must win by more than the Point Spread. On the other side, if a bet has been placed on the underdog, that team has to lose by less than the Point Spread for the better to win.

3. Buy Points: This bet involves moving the Point Spread positively, by paying a price.

4. The Moneyline: This type of bet is just on who will win. It establishes the odds for each side but is the reverse of the Point Spread, with a - sign standing for the favorite and the + sign for the underdog.

5. Total Bet: This is similar to point spread bets, only in that the better bets on the total points scored.

6. Over/ Under: This is a bet as per which the number of points scored by the teams in any game will be beyond/ over OR below/ under the total set by the oddsmaker.

7. Parlay of Accumulator: This type of bet is a way of betting on multiple sporting events in the hope that will pay off big if all win. The picks made are in relation to the point spread. Even if one event does not win or draw, the better loses the entire bet. In the event of a win, this type of bet can make huge amounts of money.

8. Teaser: A teaser is similar to a parlay, except it has the option of adding or taking off points from one or more than one Spread bets. The odds depend upon the number of points the spread is moved as well as upon the number of teams that are combined to form the teaser.

9. Futures: These are bets on who will win the championship in the event that there are more than two possible teams to bet on. Substantial variations between sportbooks exist in house edge on futures.

10. Buying Half a Point: In this type of bet, the straight bet player gets the option of moving the point spread half point to his advantage. The most appropriate time to buy a half point is when one team is favored by 2.5, 3, 6.5 or 7 in football. This is primarily due to the fact that several games end in a 3 or 7 point difference. The extra half point may end up turning a loss to a draw or a draw to a win.

Tips to Increase your Odds 

Take heed, you'll be glad you did.

Out of all of the different kinds of bets, there are 3 that are used simply because they are easy to win and have a good chance of winning. These bets are the Straight bet, the Doubles and the Future.

Here are a some Betting tips that will help you to place the Best Bets and push you towards a big win, they are:

1. Always make an intelligent analysis of the odds and the offer of the bet.

2. For the simple bet, stick to the Straight bet because it is non-complicated and has good winning prospects.

3. Keep your selections limited. Also, limit the amount of influence in your betting. In other words, if you are a fan of a team try to exclude the effect of that favoritism when betting.

4. One of the most rewarding bets is the 'Future' bet but only if you know a lot about the sport being played and about the players.

5. By making sure your betting is systematic and analytical, you can greatly improve your judgmental ability.

6. Supress the urge to bet with all your winnings immediately. If you do not follow the standard rule of 50%, at least put some of your winnings back into your pocket.

7. When choosing a sportsbook, make sure your sportsbook is a member of a known Gambling Association, makes a quick payment and is easily accessible. Consider carefully about matters pertaining to disputes.

8. Find value odds and train yourself to see them - you will master this art soon, with time and practice.

9. If you are trying to decide between two choices seeming equivalent, trust your judgment and not that of those who have bet before you. In so doing, choose a selection with a little higher risk so as to hike up the winnings.

10. Bet on games and leagues where the sportsbook's commission is the least. This is most often in the sport or sports with which that sportsbook does most of its business, and is likely the most efficient in that area.

Hopefully you have a better grasp of the sports betting industry. Now, you may want to consider using a sport handicapper. Here you can read a full review on John Morrison (an exceptional): John Morrison handicap

Sports Betting Tips and Strategies 

Excellent resource for beginners!

Here you can find many tips, strategies, advice, and systems for betting on sports. This site is extremely useful, and has some great information!

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

New Guestbook 

submit

Related Articles 

You may find some additional information here:
Understanding sports betting for dummies
MLB Strategies

by kchickeymonkey

I am a 28 year old stay at home of 4 kids just trying to stay sane! (more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!