Single Bet
The single bet is the easiest of all sports betting. That’s when you place a bet on one single thing to happen in an event.
How Single Betting Works
- Select an Event: Choose the event you want to bet on. For example, a football match between Team A and Team B.
- Choose Your Bet: Decide on the specific bet. You might bet on Team A to win.
- Place Your Bet: Enter the amount you wish to wager.
Example
- Event: Team A vs. Team B
- Bet: Team A to win
- Odds: 2.5
- Bet Amount: $100
Potential Outcomes
- Team A Wins:
- Payout Calculation: $100 \times 2.5 = $250
- Profit: $250 – $100 (stake) = $150
- Team A Loses or Draws:
- Loss: You lose your $100 stake.
In single bets, the average win rate can vary widely based on the sport and bet type. For example, in football betting, home teams win approximately 46% of the time, which can influence your betting strategy.
Spread Betting
This is when the favored team must win by more than a predetermined number of points (the spread) or if the underdog will lose by less points than the spread, or win outright. This type of bet is called “spread betting.”
- Set Point Spread: Bookmakers determine a spread to even out the betting field. For instance, if Team A is favored by -5.5 points, they must win by at least 6 points for bets on them to win.
- Placing a Bet: You decide to bet $100 on Team A at odds of 1.9. If Team A wins by 6 or more points, your payout would be $190 (including your $100 stake).
Example
- Event: Team A vs. Team B
- Spread: Team A -5.5
- Odds: 1.9
- Bet Amount: $100
Outcome Scenarios:
- Team A wins by 6 or more points:
- Payout Calculation: $100 \times 1.9 = $190
- Profit: $90
- Team A wins by 5 points or less, or loses:
- Loss: $100 stake
Historically, favorites cover the spread about 52% of the time in the NFL.
Example Analysis
Consider a basketball game where Team A is favored by -7.5 points against Team B:
- Spread: -7.5
- Odds: 1.95
- Bet Amount: $200
Potential Outcomes:
- Team A wins by 8 or more points:
- Payout Calculation: $200 \times 1.95 = $390
- Profit: $190
- Team A wins by 7 points or less, or loses:
- Loss: $200 stake
Over/Under Betting
An Over/Under bet, commonly referred to as total betting, is when you bet on the total combined score from both teams in a specific game and whether or not it will be over or under the set number.
How Over/Under Betting Works
- Set Total: Bookmakers set a total points line for a game, for example, 50 points.
- Placing a Bet: Decide to bet $100 on either over or under the set line at odds of 1.9.
- Outcome Determination: If the combined score of both teams is over 50 points, and you bet on the over, you win.
Example
- Event: Team A vs. Team B
- Total Points Line: 50
- Odds: 1.9
- Bet Amount: $100
Outcome Scenarios:
- Combined score is 51 or more:
- Payout Calculation: $100 \times 1.9 = $190
- Profit: $90
- Combined score is 50 or less:
- Loss: $100 stake
In the NBA, the over/under line is typically set around 220 points. Historical data shows that the over hits approximately 49% of the time, while the under hits around 51%, indicating a balanced market.
Example Analysis
Consider an NFL game with a total points line set at 45:
- Bet: Over 45 points
- Odds: 1.9
- Bet Amount: $200
Potential Outcomes:
- Combined score is 46 or more:
- Payout Calculation: $200 \times 1.9 = $380
- Profit: $180
- Combined score is 45 or less:
- Loss: $200 stake
Accumulator Betting
Accumulator betting, or parlay betting as it’s also known, is where you combine multiple bets into one bet which can help to increase the odds while at the same time increasing the risk that all of your selections need to win for your accumulator to be a winner.
How Accumulator Betting Works
- Select Multiple Bets: Choose several individual bets to combine. For example, four football matches with odds of 2.0, 1.8, 2.5, and 1.9.
- Calculate Combined Odds: Multiply the individual odds to get the combined odds. In this case: 2.0 \times 1.8 \times 2.5 \times 1.9 = 17.1.
- Place Bet: Decide on the amount to wager. For instance, $50.
Example
- Teams: A (2.0), B (1.8), C (2.5), D (1.9)
- Combined Odds: 17.1
- Bet Amount: $50
Potential Payout:
- Win Scenario: If all teams win, your payout would be $50 \times 17.1 = $855.
- Lose Scenario: If any team loses, you lose your $50 stake.
The win rate depends on the number of selections:
- 2-team accumulator: Win rate is roughly 0.5 \times 0.5 = 25%.
- 3-team accumulator: Win rate is roughly 0.5 \times 0.5 \times 0.5 = 12.5%.
- 4-team accumulator: Win rate is roughly 0.5^4 = 6.25%.
System Betting
How does system betting work to reduce risk? It enables you to split your stake across multiple bets on one slip and gives the hope of payout even when all selections fail.
How System Betting Works
- Select Multiple Bets: Choose several individual bets. For example, select four football matches with odds of 2.0, 1.8, 2.5, and 1.9.
- Choose a System: Decide on a system type, such as Trixie (four bets: three doubles and one treble) or Yankee (eleven bets: six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold).
- Place Bet: Decide on the stake per combination. For instance, $10 per bet in a Trixie.
Example
- Teams: A (2.0), B (1.8), C (2.5), D (1.9)
- System: Trixie (4 bets)
- Total Stake: 4 \times $10 = $40
Potential Outcomes:
- All Teams Win:
- Doubles: 2.0 \times 1.8 = 3.6, 2.0 \times 2.5 = 5.0, 1.8 \times 2.5 = 4.5
- Treble: 2.0 \times 1.8 \times 2.5 = 9.0
- Payout Calculation: $10 \times 3.6 + $10 \times 5.0 + $10 \times 4.5 + $10 \times 9.0 = $220
- Profit: $220 – $40 = $180
- One Team Loses: If one selection loses, you may still win on the remaining combinations, reducing the total loss.
- For a Trixie, if you win three of the four bets, you still win some of the combinations, reducing the overall risk compared to an accumulator.
Live Betting
Some sportsbooks offer live betting, or in-play betting, that gives you the ability to place additional bets after play starts.
How Live Betting Works
- Monitor the Event: Watch the game live to understand the flow and momentum.
- Select Bets: Choose from a variety of bets offered in real-time, such as next goal scorer, match winner, or total points.
- Place Bets Quickly: Odds change rapidly, so place your bets swiftly to lock in favorable odds.
Example
- Event: Football match, Team A vs. Team B
- Current Situation: Team A is leading 1-0 at halftime
- Live Bet: Next goal scorer
- Odds: Team A’s striker at 3.0, Team B’s midfielder at 4.5
- Bet Amount: $50 on Team A’s striker
Outcome Scenarios:
- Striker Scores Next:
- Payout Calculation: $50 \times 3.0 = $150
- Profit: $100
- Midfielder Scores Next:
- Loss: $50 stake
For example, a team that scores first in an NBA game has a 65% win probability, but this can change based on live developments.