Making money in sports betting requires research and a solid plan. However, in the end, it comes down to the math. A successful handicapper needs to find edges and exploit them. This is the only way to beat the book. And to find edges, it’s important to understand the odds and betting line terminology.
In North America, betting lines are marked with plus and minus symbols (the “plus” symbol is called a “plus line,” while the “minus” is a -line). These signs indicate how much risk is involved in each bet. The fewer the signs, the lower the risk is. The more signs, the higher the risk is. This applies to all types of bets, including spreads and moneylines.
A bettor can also place a bet on totals. In this type of bet, the bettor is predicting whether the total points scored in a game will be over or under a line that the sportsbook sets. This betting style is often offered on props, such as how many total rushing yards a running back will have or how many field goals a kicker will make in a game.
If you’re a newcomer to betting, try specializing in one sport. This will allow you to focus on your research and develop a strong understanding of the teams, players and playing conditions you’re betting on. Also, stick to a budget and track your bets. This will help you evaluate your strategy and adjust your unit size accordingly.