If you’ve ever watched a game of football, or listened to someone talk about betting on sports, you’ve probably heard the term “sports betting.” This is one type of gambling that is very popular and can be quite addictive. But, before you make that first bet, you should understand how it works and the lingo used in this industry.
Getting started in sports betting is easy enough, all you have to do is place a bet on the team or player that you believe will win the game. Straight bets are the most common bet and are generally simple to place and win. Say the Toronto Raptors are playing the Boston Celtics in an NBA game and you think that the Raptors will win. The bet will pay out if the Raptors win or lose.
Spread bets are a bit more complicated as they are based on the margin of victory. This is calculated by the sportsbook and reflected in a number that is either plus or minus. Traditionally, we think of plus (+) as positive and minus (-) as negative, but in sports betting, it’s the opposite.
Over/Under bets are also a popular wager that is calculated by a sportsbook’s odds of an event occurring. These bets are usually offered for specific events only, such as a particular team or player winning a game or a matchup between two teams. These bets can also include specific props such as a player retiring, a team making a comeback, or whether a certain player will score a goal or hit a home run.