Sports betting has become a regular part of American culture, but new bettors can be confused by all the terms and jargon. We’ve put together a beginner-level breakdown of the basics to help you get started.
Essentially, sports betting involves predicting something that will happen during a game or event and wagering on the odds of it happening. The higher the probability, the lower the risk and the less you will win, while the lower the chance of an occurrence means a greater risk and larger payout.
A common bet is on a team or individual to score a touchdown, but there are many other types of wagers including player props, totals and futures. Player props are based on things like how many passes a player will make or how many yards he will gain. Totals are predictions of the combined scores of two teams and can be tipped on the Over or Under. Futures bets, on the other hand, are placed on an event that will not take place until the end of the season, for example, who will win the Super Bowl.
One of the most important things to remember when betting on sports is to bet with your head, not your heart. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of a certain team or player, but betting with your emotions can lead to bad decisions and even worse results. It’s also important to respect the market and never bet more than you can afford to lose.