Whether you’re an NBA fan, UFC fanatic or just someone who enjoys watching sports, betting on the games you watch is a fun way to make a little extra cash. But there are some important things to keep in mind before you place a wager, especially when you’re relying on a sports betting service.
The best way to bet on sports is to do it legally. That means avoiding Sin City or a friendly neighborhood bookie and placing your bets at legal sportsbooks. Sports betting is growing in popularity with the recent legalization of sports gambling in several states and will likely expand even further in the future.
In order to make a profit, you’ll want to bet against the spread or “Against the Line.” A sportsbook puts up a number that handicaps one team and favors another when two teams are playing each other. For example, a favorite may be -6.5 while an underdog is +3.5. The favorite must win by a certain number in order to cover the spread, while the underdog must lose by a certain number in order to push (win by exactly).
It’s also important to do adequate research before placing a bet. This can include examining weather forecasts, staying current with injury reports and analyzing the past performance of both teams. Additionally, it’s helpful to have access to multiple sportsbooks to compare odds and pricing. A half-point difference in a point spread may seem minor, but it can add up over time.
When betting on sports, it’s important to be sober and avoid letting your emotions get the better of you. This is known as going on tilt, and it can lead to bad decisions and large losses. Some of the most common sports betting scandals involve players and coaches committing fraud or match-fixing. These can be as simple as a player shaving points or as complicated as an entire event being fixed.
Before you bet on a game, set a budget and stick to it. It’s generally accepted that it takes a long time to see profits in sports betting, so you should only spend what you can afford to lose. It’s also recommended that you never risk more than 1% to 5% of your bankroll per bet. This will prevent you from going broke quickly if you have a rough day. Also, it’s a good idea to only bet on sports you’re familiar with. Investing your money in unfamiliar sports can be a huge mistake. This is especially true when it comes to props, which are essentially bets on non-standard events or statistics. For example, if you bet on how many strikes Scherzer will have in a game, you’ll have to pay more for that than if you were betting on the outcome of a regular baseball game. This is because sportsbooks have to adjust their prices based on the public’s reaction to specific props.
