Sports betting can be an intimidating prospect for newcomers, especially when it comes to understanding all the terminology. To help you get up-to-speed on everything you need to know to start placing bets, smartbettingguide.com have put together a list of some of the most important terms used in sports betting.
Handicap
Handicap betting is a growing phenomenon in the sports world, providing playful and unique ways to bet on your favorite teams. Handicapping is an effective way of evening out the playing field; even when one team has an overwhelming advantage in skill level, handicapping can allow for exciting bets to still be made.
By giving something like a three-point head start to teams with weaker skills, handicap betting allows for handicappers to use their knowledge and research of the game to potentially find a bet that both works in their favor and provides some added excitement.
Odds
Understanding the odds of an event occurring is a valuable tool when creating strategies in gaming and other forms of betting. When analyzing these odds, a higher number indicates an outcome which is less likely to happen, while a lower number shows that an event is more likely to take place. For example if you come across two bets with 5.5 and 6 odds respectively, it is more advantageous to place your bet on the 5.5 odds as the outcome is more probable.
Spread
Spread betting is an exciting way to enhance your sports betting experience. Rather than simply wagering on whether a team will win or lose, you can make a spread bet that revolves around how much they may win or lose by. For example, if one team has a spread of -4.5, then for you to win the bet they must win by more than 5 points – it’s as simple as that! Unlike traditional betting strategies focused solely on the outright result, spread betting lets bettors focus on the ongoing performance throughout the game – adding another layer of dynamic excitement to any sports event!
Moneyline
Moneyline bets can be an exciting way to make some money without having to deal with the complexities of point spreads. With a strategic approach, you can pick winners and rake in the profits. You need to weigh all available information when choosing a team before placing your bet, though. It’s important to know if there are any injuries on either team or how they’ve been playing in recent games.
Parlay
Placing a parlay bet can be an exciting way to up the stakes. It combines several individual bets into one, meaning that if they all win, you can potentially experience a large and lucrative payout. On the other hand, unfortunately even if only one of the bets loses you will lose the entire wager! Therefore, it is important to carefully think through your choices before making such a risky determination.
Futures
Futures bets offer sports fans an excellent way to engage with their favorite teams in a fun and exciting way. Taking a futures bet means that you’re speculating on an event before it happens. It requires strategy, research and insight to predict when a team might perform at their highest level. While this type of wagering is considered more of a risky bet, the potential rewards can be high.
Over/Under
Over/Under is an incredibly exciting way to engage with sports betting. It leverages a bettor’s sports knowledge by predicting the total score of a game or match given a certain point threshold. For instance, if you believe that a football game will be significantly more competitive than estimated, then you can wager on “over” and have the chance to win exponentially larger amounts than traditional bets when your prediction is correct. It’s easy to understand and requires an intricate understanding of sports strategic nuances in order to make successful bets.
Proposition (Prop) Bet
Prop bets are some of the most exciting and innovative wagers in sports betting. Unlike traditional bets focused on the outcome of the contest, prop bets focus on smaller details that can be just as engaging to watch. For example, a fan may bet on whether their favorite basketball team will make more 3-pointers than 2-pointers in a given game. It brings a level of excitement to the game, even if the result of the game won’t ultimately be affected by a successful or unsuccessful prop bet prediction.
Hedging
Hedging is a great way of protecting yourself from potential losses when it comes to betting. By placing multiple bets, you can essentially guarantee yourself a profit even in the worst case scenario. For instance, if you bet on Team A and it looks like they won’t win, then you can hedge your bet by placing a wager on the opposite team. This way, you have a much greater chance of coming out ahead regardless of which team actually wins.
Juice
Juice is an important factor to consider when betting on any event. On top of the principal amount wagered, the juice can increase your total cost significantly depending on what percentage rate is used for that event. This percentage rate can range from as low as 4% to as high as 20%, so it’s important to do your research to find out which rate the bookmaker is using for each bet.
Final Words
By understanding these key terms, you’ll be able to approach sports betting with more confidence and have a better chance of making money in the long run. Good luck!
