When you make a sports bet, you’re predicting an outcome and getting paid if that outcome is correct. The most common types of bets include moneyline bets, spread bets and accumulator bets (betting on multiple outcomes in one bet).
It’s important to understand odds in order to maximize your profits. Not understanding how to read them is the main reason people lose money when betting on sports, but it’s easy to learn. All you need is a basic understanding of American odds, which are displayed as plus/minus numbers like 10/1 or 7/2.
Point spreads are numbers created by the bookmakers that handicap one team or event over another when two teams play each other. This means that the favored team must win by more points than the underdog in order for bettors to cover the spread.
In addition to point spreads, you can also place bets on individual player and team performance. These are known as prop bets and can range from the number of total touchdown passes in a game to how many yards a player will gain or lose during a single play.
Prop bets tend to have higher payouts than straight bets. However, it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a guaranteed win, so you should always research the market and only bet what you can afford to lose. A good rule of thumb is to risk no more than 1% to 5% of your total bankroll per game.