Sports bettors have a wide variety of wagers to choose from. There are Point spreads, Over/Under bets, Futures bets, and Parlay cards to choose from. Regardless of your favorite sport or event, there is a wager available to suit your style. This article will guide you through the basics of making the best bets. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to winning big on sporting events.

Point spreads

Point spreads are a common way to wager on sporting events. The idea behind them is to level the playing field between two teams. Since both teams are expected to receive equal betting activity, sportsbooks can offer higher payouts to those who bet on the underdog team. To do this, the point spread is calculated by subtracting points from the favored team’s final score and adding them to the underdog’s score. The winning team is then the one that covered the point spread.

Total (Over/Under) bets

Over/Under bets are extremely popular in sports betting. They are popular with beginners and professionals alike due to the low risk and high odds. The theoretical chance of winning this bet is 50/50, but the actual probability depends on how well you prepare for it.

Futures bets

Futures betting is a great way to bet on sporting events. You can place bets on a specific team, player, or league. There are many different futures options available for almost every sport. You can also bet on a team to win a certain league, tournament, or game.

Parlay cards

Parlay cards are a popular way for bettors to create multiple bets on a particular game. At a sportsbook, parlay cards can be found next to individual bets. Typically, parlays include at least three different games. In addition to standard point spread bets, parlays can also include moneyline wagers.

Exchange

Unlike traditional high-street bookmakers, betting exchanges offer their customers an independent, more efficient betting experience. They monitor odds independently and don’t limit their customers’ wagers to high-stakes professional bettors. Moreover, betting exchanges make money from transaction fees, not by guaranteeing winners. The exchanges also report suspicious betting patterns to authorities.