More Than a Match: How to Bet on Sports
Are you looking for an exciting way to make a little extra spending money? You should try out sports betting.
Watching a game is already fun, but throwing a little money into it can make things even more enjoyable. Betting isn’t as expensive as you would think, either.
You don’t have to throw your life savings into the first game you bet on. Five dollars will be enough to start with.
That’s the first rule to keep in mind while you’re learning how to bet on sports. Check out this guide for a few more sports gambling tips that will help you win big.
Know the Difference Between Underdogs and Favorites
Before you put forth any money on sports bets, you need to learn the difference between underdogs and favorites.
Before oddsmakers release betting lines to the public, they decide who they think is going to win the game. This team is considered to be the favorite and is represented by a minus sign.
The underdogs are the poor, disadvantaged team that has a plus sign next to their name on the betting line. If the oddsmakers believe that the game could go either way, the books will open as a “pick.”
Start Slow
No matter if you bet on favorites or underdogs, one thing is true. You should start slow with it.
We understand that it’s easy to get swept away in the excitement and bet on game after game. When you’re first starting out, it’s better to put all your eggs into one basket at a time instead of dipping your toes into several pools.
Doing so will allow you to do some studying and learn the ins and outs of sports betting before making a bunch of quick picks.
Do Your Homework
The more you know about sports bets, the better you’ll be at making informed decisions. For example, let’s say that you want to gamble on baseball games. It might be a good idea to study up on all the different baseball positions first.
Knowing about the positions and how they work will allow you to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the players. You’ll be able to guess which team is going to win based on who’s on their starting lineup.
Spreads
There are a few different ways that you can place your sports bets. The first is with spreads.
We’ll tell you how this works with an example. Team A has a -5 favorite over Team B. That means if you place a bet on Team A, they’ll need to beat B by over 5 points.
If they beat them by exactly 5 points, you won’t win any extra money, but you’ll get the cash you put down back.
If Team A loses the game or wins by less than 5 points, you lose your money.
Moneyline Wagers
Moneyline wagers are the second way you can bet on sports. Since you’re still a beginner, you might find it easier to win using this method.
As usual, you’ll bet on who you think is going to win the game. If you guess correctly, you win. That’s it.
Don’t Set Your Expectations Too High
You’re so tired of your 9-5 job. Your boss is an absolute pain, and you don’t get paid near enough to deal with your clientele. That’s why you have plans to drop that annoying job and make your living with betting!
We don’t want to dash your hopes, but it sounds like you’ve got some unrealistic expectations. While you can win big with betting on sports, it’s not easy.
You won’t be able to win constantly enough to pay your rent. Some people make their living with professional sports betting, but they have years of experience under their belts. For now, treat it as an interesting pass time or side gig.
Don’t Bet on Your Favorite Team
You want your favorite team to win, so you go all-in on them. It seemed like a safe bet until they lost.
When it comes to betting, you’re gambling with actual money. You can’t afford to get caught up in such sentimentality.
Look at the data to make an informed decision before placing your bets. We promise that the players on your favorite team would do the same if they were in your shoes.
Stay Away From the Booze
Almost everyone likes to enjoy a big game with a few beers. There’s nothing wrong with it, but you’ll want to place your bets before you have too many.
Gambling while under the influence of alcohol is a great way to lose your entire life’s savings.
Don’t Bet on Dangerous Games
Nobody wants to believe that their favorite game is fixed. It is something that happens, however. There’s a way that you can protect yourself from losing a bunch of money to a fixed event.
That is to stay away from dangerous games such as tennis and golf. Since both games only involve two players, they’re super easy to fix. All it takes is for one of the players to take a dive.
How to Bet on Sports and Win Big
Betting on sports can take any normal game and make it that much more exciting. You can enjoy your favorite baseball game and make a little bit of extra cash while you do.
If you know how to bet on sports, you can win big. If you don’t take the time to do your research or you bet on a dangerous game, not so much. Don’t fall into common traps.
For more tips that will help you make your important betting decisions, visit the Sports section of our blog.
