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Sports Betting
On this page
Introduction
I have a ton of stuff on this website about sports betting. Way to much to fit on one page. If you're already familiar with the basics of how to make a sports bet, I invite you to go to skip this page and jump to one of my pages on a specific sport, as follows:
If you're new to sports betting, this page will endeavor to teach you the major types of bets. We'll use the photo above as a reference for some of them. In particular, we'll focus on the Rams/Vikings game, which looks like this:
Oct. 11, 2009 — Vikings Vs. Rams
| 401 | Vikings | -10 | -600 |
| 402 | Rams | 41 | +400 |
In all sports betting, the odds are on a "to one" basis. In other words, you always get your bet back, plus winnings, if you win. So, for example, if you must bet $11 to win $10, then you would present $11 at the window and the writer will give you a ticket worth $21 if it wins.
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Money Line
Money Line bets are simply on whom will win. No point spreads or any other nonsense.
Most of the time, one team will be favored over the other. So, if you bet the underdog, then you're rewarded with more than even money if they win. If you want to bet the favorite, then you will have to risk more than what you stand to win.
Consider game numbers 401 and 402 in the example above. The +400 for the Rams means that a bet on the Rams would pay 4 to 1. The -600 on the Vikings means that if you bet them, then you have to lay 6 to 1.
Examples:
- A $100 on the Rams would win $400.
- A $600 bet on the Vikings would win $100.
Point Spread
The most common way to bet football and basketball is with a point spread. Most sports bettors like a wager that has about a 50% chance to win. Less than that and you'll probably lose. More than that and you won't win much if you do win.
Compare Online NBA Odds
Basketball : Basketball Euroleague
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Dec 13th 1am | Fenerbahce SK - AS Monaco | Fenerbahce SK holds a strong home advantage, while AS Monaco boasts recent form. Key players and defense strategies will be crucial. Expect a close, competitive match. Monitor injuries closely. | |||
| Fri Dec 13th 2am | ALBA Berlin - KK Partizan NIS | Expect a tightly contested game between ALBA Berlin and KK Partizan. Defensive strategies will be key. Home advantage could favor ALBA, but Partizan's momentum makes them a formidable opponent. | |||
| Fri Dec 13th 3am | Saski Baskonia - Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Saski Baskonia aims for a home advantage win. Virtus Bologna's strong defense could be pivotal. Keep an eye on player injuries for impact on the match outcome. | |||
| Fri Dec 13th 3am | FC Bayern München - Maccabi Tel Aviv | Expect a close match between Bayern and Maccabi. Both teams have strong lineups. Watch for Bayern’s defense and Maccabi’s tactical plays. Key players could determine the outcome. | |||
| Fri Dec 13th 3am | Real Madrid - Žalgiris | Real Madrid's strong home record and Žalgiris' recent struggles suggest Madrid's edge. Key players will impact the game's outcome significantly. | |||
| Sat Dec 14th 1am | Anadolu Efes - Panathinaikos | Anadolu Efes is expected to win due to strong home record. Panathinaikos struggles away. Focus on Efes' shooting guards and Panathinaikos' defensive weaknesses. | |||
| Sat Dec 14th 3am | FC Barcelona Bàsquet - Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano | FC Barcelona Bàsquet's strong home performance may challenge Olimpia Milano's resilience. Expect a competitive game with potential standout plays. Watch key players' impact, especially in clutch moments. | |||
| Sat Dec 14th 3am | KK Crvena zvezda - Olympiacos | Crvena Zvezda's home advantage may be key. Olympiacos's strong defense challenges Zvezda's offense. Watch for turnovers. Close game expected. Player form crucial. Betting odds may fluctuate. | |||
| Sat Dec 14th 4am | ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne - Paris Basketball | ASVEL Lyon is favored due to home advantage and recent form. Paris Basketball's victory would be an upset. Key players and defense will be crucial. |
Basketball : NBA
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 10th 8am | Toronto Raptors - New York Knicks |
205
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The Raptors' recent form suggests a tight game against the Knicks. Key players' performances will likely decide the outcome. Watch out for three-point shooting and defensive rebounds. |
| Wed Dec 11th 6am | Milwaukee Bucks - Orlando Magic |
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Milwaukee Bucks have a strong home record. Orlando Magic struggle on the road. Look for Giannis Antetokounmpo to dominate. Bucks likely to cover spread against Magic. |
| Wed Dec 11th 10am | Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas Mavericks |
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Oklahoma City Thunder may struggle against Dallas Mavericks due to defensive weaknesses. Mavericks' offense, led by Doncic, is strong. Watch for a high-scoring game with Mavericks favored to win. |
| Thu Dec 12th 7am | New York Knicks - Atlanta Hawks |
-365
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-110 (233.5)
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Consider Knicks' strong defense against Hawks' dynamic offense. Check player injuries. Hawks excel at home. Knicks need consistent scoring. Analyze last game performances for trends. Live betting may offer opportunities. |
| Thu Dec 12th 10am | Houston Rockets - Golden State Warriors |
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Golden State Warriors are likely favorites due to their home advantage and strong roster. Houston Rockets will rely on strong defensive plays to counteract Warriors' high-scoring offense. |
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Dec 26th 1am | New York Knicks - San Antonio Spurs |
-430
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-110 (-9.5)
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-110 (226.5)
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The Knicks have a strong defense this season, while the Spurs struggle on the road. Expect a low-scoring game with the Knicks as favorites. |
| Thu Dec 26th 3am | Dallas Mavericks - Minnesota Timberwolves |
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-110 (-3)
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Consider player matchups, recent performance trends, and home-court advantage. Dallas's offense versus Minnesota's defense could be pivotal. Injuries and bench strength might influence outcomes. |
| Thu Dec 26th 6am | Boston Celtics - Philadelphia 76ers |
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-110 (-5.5)
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-110 (225.5)
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The Boston Celtics have a strong lineup but face tough competition from the Philadelphia 76ers. Consider player injuries and recent performance trends for informed betting. |
| Thu Dec 26th 9am | Golden State Warriors - Los Angeles Lakers |
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-110 (-3.5)
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-110 (234.5)
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Warriors' strong perimeter shooting meets Lakers' tough defense. Watch Curry vs. LeBron duel. Lakers' size advantage could be key. Close match expected with high-scoring potential. |
| Thu Dec 26th 11am | Phoenix Suns - Denver Nuggets |
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-110 (226)
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Consider Denver's strong home record. Suns' depth increases their competitiveness. Check injury reports for impact players. Nuggets' Jokic is a key factor. Look at recent head-to-head performance. |
Basketball : NBA Championship Winner
| Sun Jun 1st 6am | Competitor/Team | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics |
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More odds |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
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More odds |
| New York Knicks |
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More odds |
| Dallas Mavericks |
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More odds |
| Cleveland Cavaliers |
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More odds |
| Denver Nuggets |
1600
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More odds |
| Golden State Warriors |
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More odds |
| Phoenix Suns |
1900
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More odds |
| Milwaukee Bucks |
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More odds |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
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More odds |
| Minnesota Timberwolves |
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More odds |
| Memphis Grizzlies |
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More odds |
| Houston Rockets |
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More odds |
| Orlando Magic |
4500
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More odds |
| Philadelphia 76ers |
5000
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More odds |
| Miami Heat |
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More odds |
| Los Angeles Clippers |
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More odds |
| Sacramento Kings |
15000
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More odds |
| Indiana Pacers |
17500
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More odds |
| San Antonio Spurs |
30000
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More odds |
| Atlanta Hawks |
35000
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More odds |
| New Orleans Pelicans |
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More odds |
| Chicago Bulls |
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More odds |
| Utah Jazz |
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More odds |
| Brooklyn Nets |
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More odds |
| Charlotte Hornets |
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More odds |
| Detroit Pistons |
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More odds |
| Toronto Raptors |
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More odds |
| Washington Wizards |
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More odds |
| Portland Trail Blazers |
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More odds |
Basketball : NCAAB
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 10th 7am | Indiana Hoosiers - Minnesota Golden Gophers |
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Indiana Hoosiers have a strong home record. Minnesota Golden Gophers struggle on the road. Consider Hoosiers' defensive stats and Gophers' past performance in away games before betting. |
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 10th 8am | VCU Rams - Pennsylvania Quakers |
-7000
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Consider VCU Rams strong at home, while Pennsylvania Quakers excel in free throws. Focus on defensive matchups. Check injuries before betting. |
| Tue Dec 10th 8am | South Carolina St Bulldogs - Charleston Southern Buccaneers |
-115
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Consider offensive stats and recent form for South Carolina St Bulldogs against Charleston Southern Buccaneers. Home court advantage may play a role. Check player fitness and head-to-head history. |
| Tue Dec 10th 8am | Norfolk St Spartans - Hofstra Pride |
-145
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Norfolk St Spartans vs. Hofstra Pride: Hofstra favored due to a stronger lineup and recent form. Norfolk's defense is crucial. Betting tip: Consider Hofstra, but watch for underdog surprises. |
| Tue Dec 10th 9am | Baylor Bears - Abilene Christian Wildcats |
-4500
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Baylor Bears dominate with strong defense and high scoring efficiency. Abilene's chance lies in exploiting turnovers. Expect a competitive match with emphasis on Baylor's depth. |
To achieve about a 50/50 chance of winning a bet on a lopsided game, like the Rams vs. Vikings above, the sports books have come up with the "point spread."
Before I go on, let me clarify some terminology. Despite it being probably the most popular way to bet, there is no particular term for a bet against the spread. Many people call this a "straight bet." However, this term can also be used, and is printed on tickets for, money line bets, total bets, and any other bet involving just one game. For purposes of this page, I call such bets a "point spread" bet, and invite the rest of the world to adopt this terminology.
A point spread is simply a handicap you give the weaker team, or deduct from the stronger one, depending on how you look at it. For example, if my average scoring in bowling is 120 and I play somebody with an average of 140, then to make a wager fair, I might be given a free 20 points. In this case you would say my point spread is +20.
In the example above you can see a -10 next to the Vikings. That means that the Vikings are favored to win by 10 points. So, if you bet the Vikings you give up ten points and if you bet the Rams you get 10 points.
Usually with point spread bets you risk $11 for every $10 you stand to win.
Examples:
- A $110 bet on the Rams would win $100 if they win the game or lose by less than 10.
- A $110 bet on the Vikings would win $100 if the Vikings win by more than 10.
Both bets will push if the Vikings win by exactly 10.
Total
Total Bets are similar to point spread bets, except the bettor bets on the total points scored. In the example above the bettor bets whether the total points combined between the Vikings and Rams will be over or under 41. Like point spread bets the bettor must generally risk $11 to win $10, for a house edge of 4.54%.
Examples:
- A $55 bet on the under would win $50 if the total points in the game were 40 or less.
- A $55 bet on the over would win $50 if the total points in the game were 42 or less.
- Any bet on the over or under would push if the total points in the game were exactly 41.
Parlays
Parlay bets are a good and popular way to potentially win big with a small wager. The way they work is the bettor picks two or more events, which all must win or push to win the bet. One or more loss will cause the whole parlay bet to lose. In the event of a push, that "leg" of the parlay bet will be ignored and the win will be reduced to whatever it would pay if that selection were never made.
The way the win on parlay bets is calculated is as follows:
- If the player made two or more picks that are at -110 odds, then a parlay table will be used to determine to determine the win for just those events. These tables offer stingy odds, except for the two-leg parlay.
- After that, a mathematical calculation will be used for the other legs, as if the player made each bet independently.
As an example, consider the following parlay bet I made at the Golden Nugget, for the purposes of example only.
Note the parlay above contains four legs at -110 odds and one at +210. The Golden Nugget pays 11 to 1 for a four-leg parlay. The total return of a parlay, including the return of the original bet, is the product of what every bet would be on a for one basis. In this case, $10 × 12 × 3.1 = $372.20.
My advice on parlays is to never include more than two legs at -110 odds.
For more information on parlays, please see my section on parlay bets the NFL. You can also find a survey of Las Vegas parlay tables at Wizard of Vegas.
Compare Online NFL Odds
American Football : NFL
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 10th 9am | Dallas Cowboys - Cincinnati Bengals |
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100 (5)
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Expect a close game. Dallas' strong defense against Cincinnati's explosive offense. Key players: Prescott and Burrow. Weather and injuries might tilt the balance. |
| Fri Dec 13th 9am | San Francisco 49ers - Los Angeles Rams |
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-110 (48.5)
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49ers' strong defense favored against Rams. Consider underdog Rams if 49ers key injures persist. Monitor weather conditions as it can impact game dynamics significantly. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | Carolina Panthers - Dallas Cowboys |
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-110 (-1)
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-110 (42.5)
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Cowboys favored with strong offense. Panthers face challenges in defense. Key players to watch: Dak Prescott (DAL), Sam Darnold (CAR). Turnover battle crucial. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | New Orleans Saints - Washington Commanders |
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-110 (43)
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The Saints' strong defense faces the Commanders' dynamic offense. Key matchup: Saints' pass rush vs. Commanders' O-line. Turnovers could decide the tight contest. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | Jacksonville Jaguars - New York Jets |
155
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100 (3)
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-110 (40)
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Jacksonville Jaguars show strong offensive play. New York Jets rely on defense. Expect a close game with potential turnovers. Key players: Lawrence and Wilson. Watch the weather impact. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | Houston Texans - Miami Dolphins |
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-110 (-2)
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-110 (47)
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Analyzing performance trends: Dolphins projected to dominate Texans. Key variables include passing efficiency and defensive fortitude. Consider Miami's home advantage and Texans' recent struggles against strong defenses. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | Tennessee Titans - Cincinnati Bengals |
185
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-110 (5)
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-110 (48)
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Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Key players, injury updates, and recent performance trends are crucial for informed betting. Consider defensive strength and offensive strategies for a comprehensive evaluation. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | New York Giants - Baltimore Ravens |
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-110 (14.5)
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Giants' defense strong; Ravens' offense dynamic. Giants' recent form inconsistent. Ravens favored due to superior roster and consistent performance. Close match expected. |
| Mon Dec 16th 2am | Cleveland Browns - Kansas City Chiefs |
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-110 (6)
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Chiefs are strong at home; Mahomes’ passing is key. Browns’ defense must disrupt timing. Watch for turnovers; they could swing momentum. Betting lines might favor Chiefs. Monitor injury reports. |
| Mon Dec 16th 5am | Arizona Cardinals - New England Patriots |
-280
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-110 (45)
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Consider Patriots' strong defense against Cardinals' inconsistent offense. Weather conditions may favor New England. Key injuries on both sides could impact game outcome. Monitor betting lines closely. |
| Mon Dec 16th 5am | Detroit Lions - Buffalo Bills |
-145
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-110 (-2.5)
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-110 (53.5)
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The Buffalo Bills are favorites against the Detroit Lions. Consider player performance trends and injury reports before betting. Home field could provide an advantage, but Bills' offense is strong. |
| Mon Dec 16th 5am | Denver Broncos - Indianapolis Colts |
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-110 (-4.5)
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-110 (43)
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Expect a close game; Broncos' defensive strength will test Colts' offense. Key players include Russell Wilson for Broncos and Jonathan Taylor for Colts. Weather may influence the game's dynamics. |
| Mon Dec 16th 5am | Los Angeles Chargers - Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
-145
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The Chargers' strong offense faces Buccaneers' tough defense. Watch Herbert’s performance against Buccaneers' secondary. Key: turnovers and QB pressure. Both teams need a win for playoff contention. |
| Mon Dec 16th 5am | Philadelphia Eagles - Pittsburgh Steelers |
-225
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-110 (-4.5)
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The Eagles have a strong offense, while the Steelers' defense is robust. Key players will impact the game's outcome. Consider both teams' recent performances and injury reports. |
| Upcoming matches | Game | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Dec 16th 9am | Seattle Seahawks - Green Bay Packers |
122
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-110 (47)
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Seattle's strong defense meets Green Bay's potent offense. Key players could make or break the game, so watch starters' fitness. Weather conditions might also influence play outcomes significantly. |
| Tue Dec 17th 8am | Minnesota Vikings - Chicago Bears |
-290
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-110 (43.5)
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Minnesota Vikings' strong offense faces Bears' defensive challenges. Watch for turnovers; both teams struggle under pressure. Key players could swing odds. Weather may impact game dynamics. Underdogs have potential. |
| Tue Dec 17th 8am | Las Vegas Raiders - Atlanta Falcons |
192
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-110 (4)
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-110 (43.5)
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The Raiders' strong offense meets the Falcons' shaky defense. Expect a high-scoring game with potential turnovers. Betting on the over could be wise. |
Teasers
Teasers are similar to parlays except the point spread on each game moves a certain number of points in the player's favor. In football the player gets 6 to 7 points, and in basketball, 4 to 5 points. The player pays for this in the form of much lower winnings. For example, if the Vikings were part of a 6-point teaser, then they would only need to win by more than 4 points to cover. If the Rams were part of a teaser, they could win, or lose by less than 16, and cover.
More information:
- Teaser bets in the NFL.
- Vegas sports book comparison for the teaser odds at all the Vegas sports book groups.
Buying Half a Point
In football and basketball, the straight bet player has the option to move the point spread 1/2 point to his advantage. The cost of this half point is laying 120, as opposed to 110. Not all sports books allow this, and if they do, they usually don't let you buy off of the common three-point margin of victory in football.
Futures
Futures are a bet on who will win the championship when there are still more than two possible teams to bet on. The house edge on futures varies substantially from one sports book to another. However, in general, they are a sucker bet.
More information:
- For information on who does offer the best futures in Las Vegas visit my sports betting appendix 5.
- You can also use my sports futures calculator to calculate the overall house edge of a set of futures bets.
Propositions
Often big games will have "proposition" bets on things not directly related to the final score of the game. These are usually abbreviated to "prop" bets. For example, in football whether or not the first score will be a touchdown. In baseball whether a run will be scored in the first inning. In hockey/soccer, whether anybody will score a hat trick. The odds on these are expressed like point spread bets. For example, as I write this the Golden Nugget has the following proposition bet on Super Bowl 49:
Will there be a safety in the game?
Yes: +500
No: -700
This means a bet on the "yes" pays 5 to 1, and on the "no" pays 1 to 7.
More information:
Basic Strategy
I could talk all day about betting sports but I know some of my readers just want it simplified to nice sound bites. For them, here is my basic strategy for sports betting:
- Money lines: Bet underdogs.
- Point spread bets: Bet underdogs.
- Totals: Bet unders.
- Parlays: Bet off the board as opposed to the cards. Either do a three-team parlay or mix in one event that doesn't pay -110 odds.
- Teasers: Unless you know to cross the key numbers (namely 3 and 7 in football), avoid teasers completely.
- Futures: Avoid them, as they carry a high house edge of about 30%. If you must bet them, for entertainment reasons, do so in strict moderation.
- Propositions: Bet unders and things not to happen.
- All bets: Shop around. Lines can vary from one sports book to another. It pays to compare lines for extra points or better odds.
Internal Links
- Betting the NFL In-depth look at betting professional football.
- Betting College Football In-depth look at betting college football.
- Parlay Bets in the NFL
- Teaser Bets in the NFL
- Pleaser Bets in the NFL
- Betting the MLB In-depth look at betting professional baseball.
- Betting the NBA In-depth look at betting professional basketball.
- Appendix 1 Comparative study on who has the best lines in Vegas.
- Appendix 2 Various topics in sports betting.
- Appendix 3 List of Las Vegas sports book families.
- Appendix 4 Fair prices to buy and sell points in the NFL.
- Appendix 5 Explores sports futures in greater depth.
- Appendix 6 Lost and expired tickets.
- Appendix 7 Companion to appendix 1, showing NFL money line pairs from several Internet sportbooks.
- Appendix 8 Comparative study on who has the best lines offshore.
- Appendix 9 Companion to appendix 8, showing NFL money line pairs from offshore sportbooks.
- Appendix 11 College football money lines.
- Total number of kickoffs in Super Bowl 43. Were there 9 or 10?
- Vegas sports book comparison at WizardOfVegas.com. Who offers what odds on parlays and teasers, as well as rebate percentages.
- NFL proposition bet calculator: The fair line on lots of common props, given the spread the total.
- Sports parlay calculator: To see what an off-the-board parlay pays, that isn't all -110 legs.
- Straight bet calculator: Calculate the house edge of any straight (two outcome) bet.
- Sports futures calculator: Calculate the house edge of a set of futures bets.
Sports Book Reviews
Outside Links
- For a simplified explanation of sports betting, please visit my companion site Wizard of Vegas.
- My sports betting advice in Spanish at LasApuestas.mx.