When betting on sports, you should always look at the odds. Whether you’re betting on the home team or a favorite, you should know the spread and the line. You’ll also want to focus on underdogs. Although underdogs aren’t always a good bet, they often represent a good value.

The point spread is a measurement of a team’s chance of winning the game by a specified margin. This is often known as ‘covering the spread.’ This metric enables oddsmakers to benefit the weaker team, such as a team that doesn’t have the same talent level as the team that’s favored. The spread on a weaker team will be positive, while the spread on a stronger team will be negative.

Another popular form of betting on sports involves pool betting and fantasy leagues. These are largely organized by friends or coworkers, though some Internet-based companies now run large-scale versions of these games. In pools, bets are placed on the outcomes of specific matches, tournaments, or a week’s worth of games.

Betting on sports is a good way to make money, but it is not without risks. You’ll need to do your research before placing a bet, including researching past performances of horses and how they perform on different terrain. The weather can also affect a horse’s performance.