How to Bet on Sports: The First 12 Things Beginners Need to Know

This method can be used to minimize potential losses or ensure a profit regardless of the result. It is worth noting that hedging is not the easiest strategy to master, so we suggest starting with simpler methods. Having access to more than one sportsbook allows you to shop for the best line. Getting an extra half-point might not seem like a huge deal, but it adds up over the long haul and increases your chances of winning. U.S. sportsbooks offer hundreds of props on every game, creating a greater attack surface since they can’t properly price all of them.

• Moneylines are available for all sports, but they are predominantly used when betting on lower-scoring sports like baseball, hockey and soccer.
• The favorite is the team that is more likely to win the game and will get a minus sign next to its odds.
• It’s important to remember that bets such as parlays are far riskier than single moneyline wagers.

While wagering on the team you support may seem like a good idea, it can often lead to biased betting. This is why it’s important to bet with your head and not with your heart. Even the smallest odds variance can make a big difference to your profits over time. If you make a habit of checking multiple sportsbooks every time you want to bet, you will reap the rewards in the long run. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of five general sports betting tips that will help any novice find their feet. BetUS has been helping novice bettors since 1994, meaning they boast three decades of experience in the industry.

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It’s important to set a budget before you begin your sports betting journey. Put a certain amount of money aside for your wagers, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Once you’ve settled on a sport, it’s time to select your wager. As we already mentioned, there are many types of wagers to choose from. We advise first-time bettors to opt for straightforward wagers like moneylines, as these bets are typically the easiest to understand and predict. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to sports betting for beginners.

If the game is a true 50/50 toss-up, books will open it as a “pick” or “pick’em.”

Set a Budget and Start with Small Wagers

Moneylines are available for all sports, but they are predominantly used when betting on lower-scoring sports like baseball, hockey and soccer. The Colts are -375 — that means you need to risk $375 to win $100 or $37.50 to win $10. The positive number (+125) shows how much profit you would make on a $100 bet ($125). On the other hand, the negative number (-150) shows how much you would need to wager in order to make a $100 profit ($150). Our live odds pages will automatically surface the best line for every game.

The first thing you need to do is choose a sport, league, or event to wager on. For beginners, we recommend choosing a sport that you’re familiar with. The more you know about a sport and its players, the more likely you are to make informed and successful predictions. In this instance, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens are facing each other in the NFL. The Chiefs are priced at -150 to win the game, while the Ravens priced at +125. The negative odds make Kansas City the favorite, while the positive odds make Baltimore the underdog.

There are plenty of sports betting guides out there, but very few start with the fundamentals. If you’re looking for a guide that focuses solely on betting on sports for beginners, you’ve come to the right place. Our sports betting guide for beginners would not be complete without highlighting the dangers of gambling addiction. Betting on sport is supposed to be an enjoyable pastime, but for some people, it can become more than a hobby. You’ve found the bet you want to place, but are you sure you’re getting the best odds possible? Different sportsbooks offer different odds for the same events, so it’s vital that you shop around to find the best prices for your wagers.

Learn more about ESPN’s sportsbook offering by reading our ESPN BET promo code and review. You can place moneyline bets (and more) with any of Action’s best sportsbooks, including bet365 and Caesars. For more information about bet365, read a bet365 Promo Code review. If  you are an NFL fan in Illinois, be on the lookout for the launch of bet365 and the bet365 Illinois Bonus Code! To read more about Caesars, check out our Caesars Sportsbook promo code recap.

The first is the point spread, which is a bet on the margin of victory. If you think you might be addicted to betting, or you have a friend or family member who’s a problem gambler, we urge you to make use of the following resources. Tracking your wagers can also provide you with insights into your betting patterns, identifying strengths and weaknesses in your strategy.

To learn more about the sportsbook, read our FanDuel promo code review. Ben Morris is a sports and casino writer who started with ninecasinoofficial.com Gambling Nerd in 2024. However, he has more than a decade of experience in the industry. He has a particular interest in European soccer, but also enjoys betting on tennis and playing online slot games. The second way to bet on a favorite or an underdog is on the moneyline. A moneyline bet requires you to just pick the winner of the game, and uses American odds to calculate the payout.