Types of Sports Betting

Sports betting is a popular pastime that can be profitable if done correctly. However, it is important to remember that it is a gambling activity and should be treated as such. It is recommended that you keep your sports love separate from your moneymaking activities, and focus on making smart bets that are objective and data driven rather than based on emotion. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your time and end up losing your money.

Straight bets are wagers on a single outcome. For example, if you think the Toronto Raptors will win an NBA game against the Boston Celtics, you can place a bet on the team to win. Other types of sports bets include spread and totals. In a spread bet, you are essentially placing a bet against the sportsbook. If a team or player has a positive probability of winning, the odds will be higher; however, the payouts will be lower.

Over/Under bets are based on total points, goals, or runs scored during a game. The total number is often rounded up or down depending on the sportsbook’s rules. Generally, the lower the total number, the better.

Futures bets are placed on future events and can have a long-term horizon. For example, you can bet on a football team to win the Super Bowl in 2022, or the winner of a particular tournament. Odds are often adjusted after news about players and coaches, so it is important to be aware of current trends.