Sports betting is probably the only thing more popular than a particular sport. It has been the most prominent form of gambling and the betting industry in the UK and has established itself as a billion pound industry. The numbers are expected to rise by manifold in the near future.
Sports betting can appear to be extremely easy on the surface, but in reality, it requires well-planned strategy. Certain points are required to be kept in mind. It becomes extremely important to have knowledge of betting lines and the correct way of betting. Finding a suitable bookmaker is of utmost importance. Further, one needs to make an account on the online sportsbook. The person who bets at most times is just making an educated guess. The chances of winning are increased by the use of professional handicapper.
Let us now discuss the different types of online sports bet here:
Straight Bets
This is the most basic type of sports betting in the list. It is the most commonly placed bet when it comes to games like football and basketball. A betting line, more commonly known as points spread, is set. The bettor can either bet on the favourites or the underdogs. The favourites are required to win by points more than the set point in order to win. The underdogs, on the other hand, have to lose by points less than the set point for the better to win. The situation of the tie is known as a push. No money is won or lost in that case.
Total Line Bets
This is the second most popular type of sports betting. The point spread is set for the combined score of both the teams. The bettor needs to bet whether the actual point will be more than the set point or less than it. The total line bet can be carried out in each half of game too. This is possible in games such as basketball and football.
Money Line Bets
When placing money line bets, the bettor is betting on a particular team without involving any points spread. The bettor can bet either on the favourites or the underdogs. The risk in this kind of bet is the amount one needs to bet to pick the favourite versus the amount one can make on picking the underdog. This type of bet is more favourable in games such as basketball and hockey.
Parlay Bets
Grouping of two picks into single bet is known as a parlay. The picks can range up to 10 to 12. The parlay payouts depend on the number of picks grouped together. The main point to keep in mind is that the bettor wins only when all his picks win. This sports betting involves high risk and isn’t suitable for amateurs.
Teaser Bets
Teaser bet is a modification of parlay bet. In this, the picks are grouped together just as the parlay bets. But it has the facility of modifying the point spread in one’s favour by the help of lower payout. It still is difficult to win. Further, the payout is reduced due to frequent modifications. The payout generally is 6-to-1, but it can reduce up to 2-to-1.
Head-to-head Bets
This type of bet is generally applied in games involving just two players, such as golf and NASCAR. Whichever player secures the higher position, wins the game. This type of betting is extremely hard as it is very difficult to bet on a particular player.
As e-sports has rapidly grown in popularity, several associations and organizations have been formed specifically to run e-sports gaming events and/or govern this emerging sports event. As the interest in e-sports events continues to grow, it’s natural that an interest in sports betting has also increased.