Sports betting can be a fun and exciting pastime and it is also one that can be very rewarding. With the ability to engage in betting action at trusted and licensed online sites, you now have the ability to enjoy sports betting from the comforts of home. You will even find the leading online sportsbooks offering a mobile platform so you can place wagers using smartphones and tablets. Here, we provide some useful information if you are just getting started with sports betting.
This beginners guide to betting will help you choose the best site and will cover the different markets and bets that are supported at leading betting sites. By following a few tips, you can avoid costly mistakes and start generating handsome rewards as you enjoy the thrills of sporting events from all over the world.
Understanding Betting Odds
The most important thing about sports betting is being able to understand the odds. When engaging in sports betting, the actual outcome of a single bet is not nearly as important as the odds that will determine whether that specific bet has any value. When there is an unlikely occurrence, there will be higher odds, which will mean you will win more money from that wager. The best bets will be when the occurrence probability is higher than the probability that is indicated by the odds stated by the bookmaker.
As you start wagering you will find more value placed on higher odds with underdogs in a sporting event, but this is not the only thing to consider when making educated decisions. You must also evaluate all aspects of the event, regardless of the listed favorite. Always compare odds and bet with odds that will have value.
It can be beneficial to take some time to compare odds between several sportsbooks as these can be quite different for the same event or game.
Choosing Bets
When you first start placing sports wagers, you may be drawn to accumulator bets, where you will have to correctly choose a number of selections to be a winner. These bets often come with large payouts, which is why they appeal to new punters. With accumulators, the overall goal should be to win large payouts with minimal bet amounts. The thing to take into consideration here is that the odds will have a built-in average, meaning the house will always win.
When you start betting on sports, you will want to make choices that will yield payouts. Many new bettors will choose bets that can offer huge payouts but have poor odds, leading to multiple losses. This is why it is essential to understand how odds work so you can make the right decisions.
You will also want to take time to review the different types of bets that are supported at your chosen sportsbook. These can include straight bets exotic, parlays, teasers, proposition bets, and many more. The best sportsbooks will offer a tutorial section where you can learn about the different types of bets and be better informed when the time comes to place your money on a selection.
Best Beginner Bets
If you are just getting started, you may find it overwhelming when you choose a sport and are trying to determine which bet type to select. Beginners should start with the simplest bets, which are Moneyline bets or straight up wagers. With these, you will simply be betting on who will win and will not be considering point spreads. While this is one of the easiest ways to bet, these wagers often come with small returns. However, it is a great way to become comfortable with how the betting process works and to get started with the betting action without risking too much money.
Point Spread betting is very common and you will find this offered at just about every operating sportsbook. Here, you will see teams listed with + and – next to them and the negative will indicate the favored team to be the winner. The number following the + or _ will indicate the projected number of points that will be scored by the teams. The goal with point spread betting is to place your wager on the team that will either win or lose by less than the projected amount.
Choosing a Sport
With sports betting, you will find you can wager on just about every sport that is played around the world. With these sports will come various bet types, so it is important for you to have knowledge before jumping into the action. As a beginner, it is suggested to begin wagering on sports you are familiar with and know the rules of the game. You should also be familiar with the teams and players that are involved as well as some stats.
Sports betting is not as difficult as it may first seem, but you will want to take it slow and learn as much as possible. By betting on a sport that you already know, you will have better chances of making correct choices because you are familiar with the teams involved and how the game is played.
At leading online sportsbooks, you will find all the major sports covered, which can include:
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Golf
- Hockey
- Baseball
- Motorsports
- Mixed martial arts
These are the most common sports, but you will find many others that are offered. When placing your initial wagers, it is best to start small and simple until you completely grasp the process of betting and everything that is involved. The most experienced bettors will be loaded with information and statistics, but as a new bettor, you may lack this knowledge. This is where tutorials can be beneficial as they will inform you how to choose the best possible bets for the best returns.