What is sports betting?

This valuable resource has information and links to many sports betting 'how to' articles. Interested in betting on sports? This page is your expert one-stop guide for real money online sports betting. Here we offer a look into betting on football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf. Find out the best sports betting sites and apps to use and learn how to place a legal sports bet online to make money. WHERE TO BET ON SPORTS IN THE USA. IS SPORTS BETTING LEGAL IN THE USA? Until May 2018, betting on sports at the USA was basically restricted to placing a.

Sports betting revolves around placing a wager on the outcome of an upcoming game or event.

Bettors attempt to forecast the results and make their best guess on what the outcome will be.

Bettors typically wager with a sportsbook. Oddsmakers at the various books will set lines or odds for the available wagers.

Essentially, the odds show the likelihood of a particular event occurring. Also, they point to the potential return for those who bet successfully.

Sportsbooks offer a wide range of markets.

From major sports such as NFL betting and NBA betting to niche offerings such as cricket and rugby, you’ll find plenty of wagering opportunities available.

The same applies when it comes to bettingtypes.

The most standard wager merely involves choosing a winning side. However, there are plenty of other ways to bet and factors to consider.

Sports betting is a popular pastime that is attracting even more attention due to legalization in several US markets.

Why do people bet on sports?

The answer varies from person to person.

Some folks bet for entertainment purposes, while others wager based on the profit potential.

Plenty of bettors have their specific reasons. So, let’s take a look at some of the more common answers to the question:

• Entertainment: Quite simply, betting on sports is fun. While games and events can be entertaining enough, adding a little money into the equation can enhance the enjoyment.
• Profit Potential: If you’re correct on your bets, you’ll win money. Naturally, that applies in reverse, too. However, the chance to earn a profit keeps folks engaged and leaves them coming back for more.
• The Challenge: While the concept of picking winners and losers is simple, continual success is far from a sure thing. Therein lies another part of what keeps folks so engaged. Sports betting is a mental challenge that can prove to be quite stimulating.
• Skin in the Game: What’s the easiest way to make a random game or event that you have no rooting interest in that much more appealing? By having a little skin in the game on the outcome, you can suddenly have a contest to look forward to and enjoy.
• Ease of Getting Started: In states that have fully legalized sports betting, getting started is a breeze. You can sign up with an online or mobile betting operator and be up and running in minutes. It was once a fantasy to have a sportsbook in your pocket. That’s now a reality.

There are plenty of other reasons why folks may choose to bet on sports, but the above list covers the primary ones. It’s a fun pastime that can be quite rewarding. Furthermore, the interest level will only continue to grow as more states legalize it.

Sports betting 101

So you’re new to sports betting and ready to get started. Now what?

Beginning any new endeavor can be overwhelming at first, but many times you’ll see it’s not all that tough once you start digging in. That’s certainly true with sports betting.

As with many other situations, it’s best to start with the basics and build out from there:

• Benefits of Sports Betting: Legalized sports betting has been a boon for each of the states the industry has entered. A practice that was once illegal is now generating additional tax revenue. Furthermore, jobs have been and continue to be created in each new market.
• Is Sports Betting Legal?: In May 2018, the US Supreme Court finally weighed in on a long-running case that questioned the legality of a federal ban on sports betting. The justices ruled that it was a matter for states to decide for themselves. Many of them have done just that and now have thriving sports betting industries.
• How to Start Betting on Sports: It couldn’t be easier to get started betting on sports. Many operators are serving the legal markets, and signing up for an account with them is a snap. From there, you can add and remove funds from your account with ease and begin exploring opportunities.
• The Mechanics of Sports Betting: One of the coolest things about sports betting is that you can get as advanced as you like at your pace. You can keep it simple and stick to the basics, or dive in with both feet to improve your skill level from the start. That’s ultimately up to you, and there’s no right or wrong approach. It comes down to a matter of what works best for you.
• Understanding the Odds: This is an area that can confuse those new to the game. In a nutshell, odds tell you the implied probabilities and potential return for successful wagers. For a simplified example, negativeodds imply a favorite and less of return potential. While positiveodds point to an underdog and the potential for bigger returns.

For each of the categories, there’s a lot more to understand moving forward. As you advance, you can explore topics, such as the odds, in much more depth. Before long, those once foreign concepts will evolve into something you understand well.

Understanding types of bets

As you gain experience with sports betting, you’ll soon come to understand that there’s a lot more to it than picking winners and losers.

Sports To Bet On

There are many ways to bet on sports, and each requires its own set of knowledge.

Here’s a look at the main types of bets you can place at sportsbooks.

• Moneyline: A moneyline bet is the most straightforward of all bets. You’re simply picking the winner of the game. Favorites are designated with negative odds such as -110, while underdogs typically have positive odds like +120.
• Over/Unders: Also known as a totals bet, over/unders is a wager on the total points scored in a game. Oddsmakers set a benchmark number, and then you decide if you think the total will go “over” or “under” that number.
• Prop Specials: A prop bet is essentially a side wager on something that may occur during a game. Examples include whether an NFL quarterback will throw for a certain amount of yards or not, or how many total points will be scored in a half of an NBA game.
• Accumulators: An accumulator is a wager on four or more outcomes on a single ticket. For this bet to be a winner, all your selections must be correct. One wrong choice means that the accumulator bet is a loser.
• Parlays: A parlay is a wager in which you choose two or more bets on a single ticket. All the wagers on your ticket must be correct to win. Parlays are popular wagers that are high-risk while offering the chance for higher returns.
• If/Reverse: This type of bet is essentially a chain reaction. You place two or more bets together. If the first one is correct, then the second bet goes through as well. If the first bet is a loser, then the chain stops, and no additional bets are placed.
• Pleasers: This is a wager on two or more games at the same time. You place a bet on odds that are more favorable toward the bookmaker but have a chance at greater returns if your bets are correct.
• Futures/Outrights: A future or outright bet is a wager on an event that has yet to happen. For example, you can place a bet on the winner of the upcoming Masters Golf Tournament. Futures markets on popular sports such as the NFL can be quite active.
• Point Spread: Point spread bets are most popular for sports such as the NFL or NBA. Oddsmakers will designate a margin of points that you must factor into the equation. To “cover” thespread, favorites need to win by more than the margin, while underdogs cover when they keep the margin less than that.
• Handicap: A handicap bet is similar to point spread betting. An additional margin is added to the equation, such as two goals in a hockey or soccer game. As opposed to betting on huge favorites, you can place bets on them with a handicap in exchange for more favorable odds.
• Live Betting: Live betting is one of the most popular innovations the industry has seen in recent years. These are wagers you can place after the action has gotten underway. Markets will vary, and the odds move fast, which helps to enhance the appeal. For online and mobile operators, live betting has evolved from a niche offering to a must-have feature.

For those new to sports betting, it can be helpful to start with the simpler bets, such as moneylines and totals, before branching out into other areas.

As you gain experience and confidence in each area, you can add more options to the arsenal. You’ll be able to try them all eventually and determine which ones work best for you and your strategy.

Things to keep in mind

Sports betting can be extremely entertaining, and there’s also the chance to make a profit while doing something you enjoy. That’s a win-win scenario, but it’s also essential to go into it with a clearhead.

There’s always the possibility of hitting a big parlay you’re going to get rich with overnight. Sports betting is challenging and can be a grind, but that’s also part of the appeal.

Begin sports betting with realistic expectations and with a laser-like focus on being disciplined.

For those new to the game, you should consider the money you are wagering as part of your entertainment budget.

Only wager what you are comfortable betting and don’t exceed that amount. There will be plenty of time to increase your stakes as your skills improve, so there’s no need to rush it while you’re still learning.

Last but not least, remember that this is something you should find entertaining and enjoyable. If it stops feeling that way — or if you hit the inevitable losing streak — don’t be afraid to take a break.

Taking a step back and reflecting a bit will allow you to tweak your approach and strategy where needed. Taking a breather and gaining additional perspective can lead you to feel rejuvenated when you’re ready to play again.

How do sportsbooks make money?

Sportsbook operators are for-profit entities. As such, they’re not providing a betting marketplace out of the goodness of their hearts. The goal for them is the same as you: to makemoney.

Books that don’t accomplish that goal won’t be around too long. Oddsmakers who consistently take a beating will eventually be looking for a new line of work. That said, the overwhelming majority of established operators are really good at what they do.

They turn a profit as a result. So, how do they do that? Sportsbooks make money by the commissions they collect for taking action on bets. This is often referred to as the vig or juice.

Let’s consider an example using a standard set of point spread odds of -110.

• You place a $100 bet at odds of -110.
• If your bet is correct, you’ll get back $190.90, which is your $100% stake, a profit of $90.90.

So why didn’t you double your money? That’s because the bookmaker has essentially kept a percentage of the return for themselves. In addition, consider that the operator is also taking bets on both sides of the equation.

In a perfect world, they’ll receive even action on both sides. Half of the bets will win, while the other half will lose. The net of what they collect, minus what they pay out, represents profit.

Of course, not all bets will attract even action, which is why you’ll see odds move after they are released. If the bookmaker’s liability on one side of an outcome becomes too great, they’ll make the odds a bit more favorable on the other side to attract more action.

Mistakes you should avoid

Whenever you are starting with something new, it’s essential to understand that there will be a learning curve.

Mistakes will happen along the way, but you can learn from each of them and improve your overall knowledge base.

When it comes to sports betting, you’re going to make mistakes. You’ll miss something that seems obvious in your handicapping in advance of the game. Or you’ll place a bet on odds that suddenly become a lot more favorable on the side you are leaning.

It’s all going to happen, and there’s no way to prevent every mistake. However, you can avoid many major pitfalls that could make your sports betting career short-lived.

• Don’t Chase Your Losses: You’re going to lose some bets. Any sports bettor who tells you they win all the time is simply not being truthful. When losses happen, analyze why, suck it up and move on. Do not attempt to “get even” by doubling down because you’re “due for a win.” That can be a quick recipe for disaster.
• Don’t Bet Over Your Head: It’s essential to have a crystal clear budget in mind for your sports betting bankroll. Only deposit what you can afford to lose, and resist the urge to go overboard when things aren’t going your way. If your weekly budget is gone, take that as an opportunity to take a break and get back to it with a clear head.
• Don’t Be Unrealistic or Overestimate Your Skills: By nature, many sports fans are passionate. Some folks can take that to the extreme and feel as if they are always right and are destined to make tons of money betting. Don’t be that guy or gal. Know that you’ll have work to do regardless of your sports knowledge level, and also keep your profit goals reasonable.

Sports betting can be a great source of entertainment and a potentially profitable venture. However, the chances of both happening increase when you avoid the above pitfalls.

As an increasing number of countries choose to legalize and regulate online sports betting, wagering options for fans are greater now than ever before. Today, punters in most parts of the world can choose from dozens of sports betting sites that are legal, licensed and safe.

Our role in all of this is to help readers navigate the sports betting landscape by providing honest sportsbook reviews and recommending bookmakers for punters of all persuasions. This includes country-by-country recommendations, lists of the best betting sites for specific sports and much more.

Best Sports Betting Sites

This page serves as your guide to finding sports betting websites by the criteria that matter most to you. Below are recommendations categorized by sport, mobile app experience, welcome bonus and so on. Use the table of contents above to jump straight to recommendations that suit your particular needs.

Sport Specific Betting Sites

The following pages recommend betting sites by sport. Fans of any particular sport can visit the corresponding page below for bookmaker recommendations tailored to that sport. The listings on each of the following pages take into account the average number of markets offered for that sport, types of wagers on the menu, live streaming video options, odds offered and sport-specific offers and bonuses.

Recently Added:

Online Sportsbook and Mobile App Reviews

You’ve already seen our top picks for the best online sportsbooks. We stand by these picks but also understand that many punters have specific wants and needs. To that end, we have a large collection of online bookmaker reviews that are unbiased and straightforward in nature.

We take a deliberate approach in structuring our betting site reviews to discuss specific aspects that impact the customer experience. These include going over each site’s long term reputation, its licensing status, its customer support options, the generosity of its odds, deposit methods, payout speeds, bonuses and other gaming options.

Sports Betting Bonuses and Offers

Most sports betting sites advertise a welcome offer inviting you to sign up and play. Sports betting bonuses are usually a good deal and provide added value that you wouldn’t otherwise see at a traditional brick-and-mortar bookmaker.

Bonuses are not the only promotions you’ll see. Online bookmakers are always coming up with new promotions and betting offers to reward their customers. Some of the most common types of promotional offers you’re likely to see include:

• First Deposit Match Bonuses: The first deposit match bonus is designed to entice new customers to make their first deposit. The amount of your deposit determines how much bonus money you get. For example, a 100% match bonus means you will receive £1 in bonus funds for every £1 you deposit.
• Free Bets: Free bet tokens can be used to place a real money wager on any sporting event you choose with no risk to you. If your free bet wins, the winnings are yours to keep. If your free bet loses, nothing is deducted from your real money balance.
• Cash Back / Risk Free Wagers: These are similar to free bets except you place the bet with your own money first. If your bet loses, the bookmaker refunds an equal amount to your account. If your bet wins, the winnings are credited to your account normally.
• Reduced Juice: Reduced juice rewards lower the amount of commission the bookmaker takes on all bets of a certain type. For example, the common 10/11 line that is applied to wagers with no clear favourite is reduced to 20/21 under a reduced juice program. The end result is you pay less commission on your wagers. This promotion is usually confusing for newbies and is therefore very rare.

You can read all about these types of promotions and see a list of the best betting bonuses here:

Loyalty Schemes and Rewards Programs

Regular sports bettors should definitely take advantage of any loyalty schemes or promotions offered by online sports betting sites. Rewards programs at online sportsbooks are designed to reward loyal customers for continuing to play and can be a great way to boost your bankroll.

Rewards can vary from free plays, bonus offers, or even tickets to major sporting events.

Generally speaking, the more you wager online the more you benefit from sports betting rewards programs. Spend a little time looking at the loyalty schemes of the different online sports betting sites to find out where you can best be rewarded for your business.

Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Sites

Today, fantasy sites host contests with million-dollar prizepools and a chance for players to compete for serious sums of money.

The best fantasy sports sites are marked by high traffic levels, big prize pools and fast payouts. A handful of brands dominate the daily fantasy industry, but some sites are better than others for fans of specific sports. See our DFS section for daily fantasy information and recommendations by sport.

Sports Betting Exchanges

Betting exchange sites provide a unique and potentially lucrative twist on the traditional sports betting model. Exchanges act more like the stock market than a regular bookmaker in that exchanges match customers who want to back opposite sides of any particular wager. Rather than betting against the bookmaker, you bet against other customers who take the opposite view.

For example, you can back a selection to lose and then be matched with another customer who is backing that selection to win. Customers are able to set their own odds and lay a bet that other users can decide to take or not.

The end result is a free market solution for online sports betting. In certain cases, online betting exchanges offer better value for sports bets than traditional bookmakers.

In-Play Betting Sites

In-play betting offers yet another twist on traditional sports betting. In this case, you are able to place bets after an event has already started. As a football match progresses, for example, you can place additional wagers on the outcome of the event at updated odds. Or, you can even bet on short-term events such as who will score the next goal or what the outcome of the next penalty kick will be.

Thus, you can watch a match in real time and place bets as events unfold before your eyes. The oddsmakers in the background follow the match as well and offer a constantly-updated list of bets based on what’s happening right now.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal?

The legal status of sports betting sites depends on where you live and how you interpret the law.

Legislation around the world lags behind technology.

In many countries, sports betting laws are open to interpretation and largely unenforced. Each year, more countries license and regulate online sports betting sites and mobile sportsbook apps.

Our country-by-country discussion of gambling laws around the world offers in-depth analyses of legal sports betting options and regulations in most countries.

Is it Safe to Bet on Sports Online?

It is safe to bet on sports online as long as you limit your wagers to reputable and safe bookies.

Safety is always my primary concern when looking at sports betting websites. I talked about researching each site’s reputation earlier on this page, but some of the other things I like to consider include customer support, speed of withdrawals, player complaints posted in gambling forums and social media and the overall sense we get when placing wagers as customers ourself.

Gaming licenses are useful but don’t always tell the whole story. Licenses from major gambling jurisdictions such as the UK hold a great deal of weight because they are backed by functional governments that are serious about regulating the industry.

We also look at online bookmakers financial stability. This information isn’t generally released to the public, but you can get a good idea for how a sportsbooks finances are doing by monitoring social media accounts for complaints and unresolved issues.

Consistency of payouts is just as important.

If a once-reliable site suddenly has a batch of slow payouts, it’s can be a sign of payment processing problems, liquidity issues, or just a temporary hiccup.

The main thing for you to know is that it’s best to signup at sports betting sites that have positive reputations. Our top picks (listed near the top of this page) meet all the most important requirements that I have when determining which sports betting sites are safe places to wager at.

Basic Tips and Strategy

There is much to learn before you can become a successful sports gambler. The most profitable handicappers spend a lot of time researching picks, looking for trends, and searching for value.

Identifying value is imperative to making money over the long term. Sometimes there is no “correct” bet to make on a particular sporting event and a savvy sports bettor knows when to keep out of the action.

By putting some effort into learning about the industry, it becomes much easier to get a decent return on your money. It pays to be diverse – consistently backing odds on favorites is unlikely to pay in the long run as it might only take one or two upset losses to wipe out your profits.

Mixing up your bets with a combination of favorites and over-priced underdogs, and placing these options at the right time is a better approach.

Visit the following pages for a more in-depth discussion of some of the most important concepts in online sports betting.

To be serious about winning, you need to manage your bankroll properly.

It can be frustrating losing several sports bets in a row, but increasing your stakes to chase your losses is not the way forward.

Sports To Bet On Today

Stick to your stakes and size your plays according to the confidence you have in a pick – not based on previous results. As you do well and your bankroll grows, then you can consider increasing the size of your units.

The general rule of thumb for sports betting is to risk no more than 5% of your bankroll on any single bet. This is a pretty safe way to go because it helps minimize the damage done by bad streaks.

No matter how confident you are in any single bet, the 5% rule should be in effect.

If you think about it, the 5% rule makes perfect sense. Even the best handicappers are happy to achieve a 55% to 60% win rate. That means you can expect to lose 40% to 45% of you wagers even if you are really good at what you do.

At those win-rates, anything can happen in the short term.

Over the long term, skilled handicappers can expect to see a general winning trend. But over the short term, everyone sees swings in both directions. By sizing your bets properly, you minimize the chances of going broke due to variance.

Even the best sports bettor in the world will lose their bankroll if routinely risking 20% or more of a bankroll on every wager. Smart bankroll management is one of the absolute fundamental keys to successful sports betting.

Sports Betting Guide: