Whether you’re a seasoned sports gambler or just getting started, it’s important to know the ins and outs of betting on sports. This article will cover everything you need to know before placing your first bet, including what types of bets are available, how odds work, and how to choose a reputable sportsbook.
Types of Bets
When it comes to betting on sports, there are three main classes of bets: point spread, money line, and total.
In point spread wagers, you choose whether you think a team will win or lose by a given amount of points. For example, in a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, if you bet on the Warriors -7, they would need to win the game by eight or more points for you to win your bet.
Moneyline bets involve picking a team to simply win or lose the game outright, regardless of the margin of victory. In the above example, if you bet on the Warriors -200, you would need them to win the game for you to win your bet.
Total bets involve picking whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a certain number. In the above example, if the total is 215 and you bet the over, you would need both teams to score 216 or more points to win your bet.
Betting Odds
When it comes to sports betting, odds represent the probability of an event occurring. For example, if a team has odds of +150, they’re considered to have a 40% chance of winning. Conversely, if a team has odds of -200, they’re considered to have a 66.67% chance of winning. These odds are usually displayed in one of two ways: fractional or decimal.
Fractional odds are the most common way that odds are displayed in the United States. They are expressed as a number followed by a slash, and then either the word “odds” or nothing at all. For example, odds of +150 would be expressed as 3/2 odds, while odds of -200 would be expressed as 1/5.
Decimal odds are more common in Europe and are expressed as a number followed by a decimal point. For example, odds of +150 would be expressed as 2.5, while odds of -200 would be expressed as 1.5.
Choosing a Sportsbook
When it comes to choosing a sportsbook, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want to ensure that the sportsbook is reputable and offers fair odds. You can research a sportsbook by reading reviews or checking with a site like ours.
You also want to ensure that the sportsbook offers the types of bets you’re interested in placing. Not all sportsbooks offer point spread betting, for example, so if that’s the type of bet you’re looking to make, you’ll want to find a sportsbook that offers it.
Finally, you’ll want to ensure that the sportsbook offers good customer service if you have any questions or problems. The best way to test this is to contact their customer service department and see how quickly and easily they respond to your inquiry.
Sports betting can be a fun and exciting way to add an extra level of excitement to your favorite sports. When it comes to list of all Ohio sportsbooks, knowledge is power. By understanding the ins and outs of sports betting, you’ll be able to make more informed and successful bets.
