Beginners Guide

Online Sports Betting Guide

Before staking real money, new players need to understand all the basics of online sports betting. First, they need to understand that different sports are available to bet on, such as soccer, football, basketball, and hockey.

While some bettors love betting on multiple sporting events, starting with a sport a player is familiar with would be good. Beginners can then narrow the sports to specific competitions and leagues. Once they've identified the sport, choosing the top sportsbook apps is the next step. The truth is that there are tens of sports betting sites in the US gambling market. However, it is possible to spot the best ones without going through several trial and error phases.

When selecting a sportsbook, first consider its licensing. Ensure the platform operates legally and has a license from an authorized regulatory body. After that, check the sports selection to see if those preferred are listed. Check how good the odds are, the betting markets, bonuses, and payment methods. A simple way of knowing what bonuses are available at what betting site is to check the promotions page. Good bonuses usually include competitive amounts and attainable wagering requirements.

Once new players set up their betting account, claim the welcome offer, and have everything in order, they can start placing their favorite bets. However, they need to understand the different bet types available, starting with regular bet types like Moneylines and totals under/over. For beginners, moneylines are the most straightforward bets since they only have to choose a team or individual to win the match.

The next section of this betting guide will explain different bet types.

Pre-Game Betting

In sports betting, players can place pre-game bets on events which refers to any bet placed on a sporting game yet to kickoff. Pre-game betting is probably the most common form of sports wagering, and every sportsbook offers it. One advantage is that the odds are usually high since the game is yet to be determined.

However, incidents like player injuries and weather conditions cannot be planned for, affecting the odds of winning. Bettors can place all kinds of pre-game wagers at the best sportsbooks worldwide, including moneylines, totals under/over, point spread bets, correct scores, and props.

They can even read online sports betting guides discussing the different pre-game bets available and possible predictions.

Examples of pre-game bets

Consider this example to understand better how pre-game bet works in this guide. Suppose Heats will play the 76ers in the NBA on 30th, and a player placed a bet a day before. That bet is referred to as a pre-game bet since the game hasn't started yet. The amount the bettor stands to win will depend on the market's odds.

For instance, if the bet is $100 on totals over 155.5 points at a sportsbook offering it at -125 odds, the expected amount to win is $80, excluding the wager amount. The total potential payout will be $180 based on odds calculation.

In-Game Wagering

Sporting events usually last for a certain period before the winner is determined. In-game wagering, also known as live betting, involves wagering money on sporting events already in play. Some players prefer placing this type of bet since they can decide what markets or predictions to go for depending on what is happening. Live betting can likewise be useful for those that intend to bet on a game but didn't have the time to do so before the game started.

Like pre-game betting, bettors can choose from numerous markets. These include Moneyline, point spread, totals under/over, and props. However, the availability of these markets will depend on the current result of the game and the bookie.

Let's look into how in-game betting works in the next section of this betting guide.

How does in-game betting work?

As explained in this guide, in-game betting is all about wagering on sporting events that have already kicked off. Ideally, almost every online sportsbook offers in-game bets. To place such bets, click on the Live section or similar button, which will display all the current in-play events. From the list, select the preferred event and choose a betting market.

The amount winnable depends on the event's odds. Suppose a player wagers $100 on Toronto to win Orlando City in an in-play MLS game with odds of +160. The expected potential winning is $160, excluding the wager. But note that odds in in-play events change quickly.