Sports Betting 101

sports bet

A sports bet is a wager made on a specific sporting event. There are a number of different types of bets available for you to place, such as Money Line, Point Spread or Total (Over/Under).

Bettors have the option to make their bets in a variety of ways and may choose to use an online sportsbook or an offline betting location. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to be aware of the risks and rewards of each wager.

One of the most popular types of sports bets is a moneyline bet. These bets are based on the implied probability of the result and have low-risk moneylines (favorites) paying smaller returns and high-risk moneylines (underdogs) paying bigger returns.

Several factors can influence the odds on a sports bet, including line moves and injuries or weather. These changes can make an already-challenging bet even more difficult, so it’s important to time your wagers carefully to ensure you get the best possible odds for your opinion.

Betting on the Over/Under

The over under, or total, is another very popular sports bet that’s often the lowest-vig markets offered by sportsbooks. It’s a simple bet that involves wagering on whether or not the combined total points scored by two teams will be higher than a certain number.

The over/unders are calculated by computer models that weigh a variety of inputs, such as expected possessions and efficiency, and spit out an expected total for each game. The totals are constantly changing as new information comes into the market, so it’s essential to keep an eye on the totals as they change in order to make informed bets.