If you’re a sports fan, chances are you’ve been hearing the term “sports betting” more frequently in recent months. That’s because single-game sports wagering is now legal in 13 states, and the number of players continues to grow.
While a lot of people will bet on the team they support, it’s important to separate your fandom from your gambling habits. That means not letting your emotions get in the way of making smart decisions (so hold off on that beer until after you place your bets). You should also do adequate research before placing a bet, including checking weather forecasts, staying current with injury updates and learning as much as possible about both teams and their history with one another.
Spread bets, or “point spreads,” are designed to make uneven games more even by essentially handicapping one side and forcing the stronger team to win by a certain amount in order to cover the point spread. They’re great for boosting revenue for the bookies, but can be a pain for those who bet on them.
Props, or proposition bets, are a type of wager that can be placed on almost any event during a game. They’re often based on statistics and can include things like total points, yards gained, rebounds made, saves, hits, rounds won, birdies, aces, and more. Having access to multiple sportsbooks is helpful for tracking specific props and finding the best prices.
When it comes to money management, it’s important to know that more people will lose than win when it comes to sports betting. This is because sports bets involve a higher risk than other types of investments, such as stocks and mutual funds. That’s why it’s important to only invest a percentage of your bankroll in each individual bet.