Major US Sports Leagues Betting in 2019
Sports betting can be a fun way to get in on the action of your favorite sports. But it can also seem complicated for new bettors.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of sports betting, including how (and where) to place a bet, the different types of bets you can make, and tips to help you improve your chances of winning.
How Sports Betting Works
Sports betting is a form of gambling in which you place a bet on the outcome of a sporting event. There are various ways to bet on sports, but the most common method is to bet against the spread. This means that you are betting on whether a team will win or lose by a certain number of points, or whether the game will be a tie.
To place a sports bet, you will need to find a sportsbook or bookmaker. These are businesses that accept bets on sporting events and set the odds for each bet. You can usually find sportsbooks at casinos or online.
Once you have found a sportsbook, you will need to open an account and deposit money into it. Then, you can browse the available bets and choose one that you want to place. You will need to specify the amount of money that you want to bet and confirm your bet.
If you win your bet, the sportsbook will pay your winnings, minus any fees or commissions that they charge. If you lose your bet, the sportsbook will keep your money.
It is important to note that sports betting is not legal in all areas, and it is always important to be aware of and follow the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.
Types of Bets You Can Make
There are many different types of bets that you can make on sporting events. Here are a few common examples:
Moneyline bet
This is a bet on which team or player will win the game or event. The odds for a moneyline bet are expressed in terms of money, and the team or player with the lower odds is the favorite to win. For example, if the odds for Team A are +150 and the odds for Team B are -200, that means that if you bet $100 on Team A and they win, you will win $150 (in addition to getting your original $100 back). If you bet $100 on Team B and they win, you will win $50 (in addition to getting your original $100 back).
Point spread bet
This is a bet on the margin of victory in a game. The favorite is given a “spread” of points that they must win by in order for the bet to pay off, while the underdog is given a deficit of points that they can lose by or still win the bet. For example, if the point spread is 7 points and you bet on Team A (the favorite), they must win by more than 7 points for your bet to pay off. If you bet on Team B (the underdog), they can lose by up to 6 points and you will still win the bet.
Over/under bet
This is a bet on the total number of points, goals, or runs scored in a game. The sportsbook will set a “total” and you can bet on whether the actual total will be over or under that number. For example, if the over/under is set at 45 points and you bet the over, you will win the bet if the total score is more than 45 points. If you bet the under, you will win the bet if the total score is less than 45 points.
Parlay bet
This is a bet that combines multiple bets into a single wager. If you win all of the bets in your parlay, you will win the parlay. However, if you lose any of the bets, you will lose the entire parlay. Parlays tend to have higher odds and potential payouts than individual bets, but they are also riskier because they require all of the bets to be successful.
These are just a few examples of the types of bets that you can make on sporting events. There are many other variations and options available depending on the sport and the sportsbook.
Beginner Sports Betting Tips
Sports betting involves an element of luck, but there are also some strategies and techniques that you can use to increase your chances of winning. Here are a few tips that may help:
Do your research
It is important to familiarize yourself with the teams and players that you are betting on. Look for trends and patterns in their performance, and consider factors such as injuries, motivation, and team dynamics.
Shop around for the best odds
Different sportsbooks will offer different odds on the same events. By shopping around, you can find the sportsbook that is offering the best odds for your bets.
Manage your bankroll
It is important to have a budget for your sports betting and to stick to it. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, and try to spread your bets out rather than putting all of your money on one outcome.
Be disciplined
Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. It can be tempting to chase losses or bet more money in an effort to win back what you have lost, but this can lead to even bigger losses. Stick to your betting strategy and don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment.
Consider using a betting system
A betting system is a set of rules that you follow when placing your bets. Some betting systems are designed to help you maximize your profits, while others are meant to help you minimize your losses. There are many different betting systems available, but it is important to remember that no system can guarantee success.
It is also important to remember that sports betting carries inherent risks and should be approached with caution. It is always a good idea to gamble responsibly and within your means.
Legal Sports Betting in the United States
In the United States, sports betting took a slightly different route in development than it did on the Old Continent. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t as exciting, doesn’t have as many fans or isn’t just as advanced – far from it. It does mean, however, that it is different in certain aspects: the sports which it promotes, the way sportsbooks fight over new customers, their permanent struggle with legality, as well as many other things. US sports betting does require some understanding, but the benefits it offers its customers are among the best in the world.
Gambling Rules and Restrictions
One particular area of interest involves licensing and gambling rules. In the US, each state has a large degree of freedom in creating its own gambling rules. Some states have opted to become as free as possible, to attract sportsbooks and customers, while others allow sports betting just under some very strict conditions. This topic is especially important when choosing your sportsbook: make sure that it has the appropriate licenses in your state, and offers you the sports you want to bet on most.
US Sports Leagues
Moving on, there is one other thing you should always consider when thinking about US betting sites: their sport of choice. Naturally, most big sportsbooks will offer you games from all your favorite sports, but you can see (after some analysis, not directly) which is their bread-and-butter. That’s the sport where they’ll have the most offers, the best odds, and which they’ll promote the most. There are a few leagues which you should always look for and analyze, depending on which you like most:
MLB – Major League Baseball is the first on this list because of the huge popularity baseball has among American bettors. Baseball betting has been around for generations, and every serious betting website should have these games to bet on.
NBA – Basketball is among the most widely-followed games around the World, but it’s almost a cult in the US. It offers some of the highest-paid athletes and some of the most interesting rivalries, which both make great betting ideas.
NFL – The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event on the planet, but there’s much more to the NFL than its finals.
NHL – Although Americans are not as passionate as their northern neighbors about hockey, we can’t possibly leave the NHL off this list. It’s easily one of the most entertaining sports leagues on the planet, and attracts millions of betting enthusiasts each year.
MLS – Soccer was long seen as a boring sport compared to the ones described above, but has gained more and more traction in recent years. Teams are being created all over the place, top-tier players from Europe are joining the MLS, and more and more fans are coming to stadiums. There’s nowhere to go but up.
College Leagues – College Leagues are the foundation of tomorrow’s NFL, NBA, or MLB. If you want to see young athletes battle for their place among the pros, be sure that your sportsbook offers you College League games.
