When betting on sports, it’s important to know what you’re doing. You should understand the rules of the game and learn how to read the odds. This way, you can make a smart bet and maximize your chances of winning. You should also keep track of your bets and know when to cut your losses. The best way to do this is to only bet 1% to 5% of your bankroll per play. It is also important to remember that even a “sure bet” can go sideways, so you should never bet more than you can afford to lose.
When it comes to betting on sports, the most common bets are straight bets and parlays. Straight bets are wagers on a single outcome of a game, such as a team beating another by a certain number of points or goals. Parlays are a series of bets that combine multiple teams. For example, a 3-team round robin consists of three 2-team parlays (A + B, A + C, and B + C).
Spread bets, which are often referred to as point spreads, are used to level the playing field between two teams. Oddsmakers assign a number that the favored team must win by to cover the spread. They often include a half-point in order to avoid a push, which means both sides get their money back.
When betting on Over/Under totals, it’s important to remember that the over/under isn’t set until the game is over. So, if you expect a defensive slugfest, bet the Over.