Sports betting is the act of placing wagers on a variety of sporting events. It is legal in most states, though some states require that sports bettors place their wagers in person at retail sportsbooks.
Betting Odds and Payouts
The odds of a sports wager are determined by the probability that an event will occur. The higher the probability, the more money that will be won. A sportsbook will set the odds to reflect this, and they will include a commission in their calculations.
Understanding Spreads & Totals
The most common type of bet is a wager on the winning team. These bets are called moneyline bets and they are based on the implied probability of a team beating another.
A sportsbook will also offer bets on a game’s total points. For example, if the Los Angeles Rams are playing the Seattle Seahawks, they have a total of 42.5. If you think that the Rams and Seahawks will combine for at least 43 points, then you’ll bet “Over,” while if you think that they won’t, you’ll bet “Under.”
Arbitrage Bets
The most advanced form of betting is arbitrage, which involves placing multiple wagers on two different outcomes of a single game. This is a more complex strategy than simply betting on one team, but it can still yield significant profits. Using software that can uncover mismatched odds between sportsbooks is a great way to make these types of bets.