Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just new to the game, sports betting is an exciting activity. The best online sportsbooks offer fair odds and secure privacy protection. Whether you’re in the US or somewhere else, you’ll find a variety of betting options and the ability to wager on everything from horse racing to political elections.
Moneyline bets are the most basic type of sports wager. This type of bet requires you to select a team that will win the game outright. Typically, you’ll be assigned a handicap or spread based on the implied probability that the team will win.
Point spreads are assigned by bookmakers based on the expected difference in the final score. They can be as small as a half point or as large as 50 points. The point spread favors the underdog and handicaps the favorite. Typically, the underdog will be represented by a plus sign on the moneyline.
The favorite is assigned a negative spread value. The favorite will pay out less than the original wager, but more than the underdog. The underdog has a higher risk. If you bet $100 on the underdog to win, you’ll receive $250 if the underdog wins. This is because the underdog is considered to have a lower probability of winning.
There are also teasers, which are similar to straight bets. A teaser involves selecting two or three selections, and pays out if all of them win. These bets are usually offered in soccer and boxing/MMA matches.