How to Read Sports Betting Lines at Online Sportsbooks

In sports like football and basketball, the point spread is used to level the playing field between two teams. The favourite is given a points handicap, which they must cover for a bet on them to win.

By contrast, the underdog is given extra points, which means they can lose by a certain margin and still result in a winning bet for those who wagered on them.

This is a straight bet on which team will win the game, regardless of the point spread. The odds are presented in a positive or negative format.

A negative number indicates the favourite (e.g. -150 means you must bet £150 to win £100), while a positive number indicates the underdog (e.g. +200 means you win £200 on a £100 bet).

This type of bet involves predicting whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under a specified number set by the bookmaker.

For example, if the over/under for a basketball game is set at 210.5, bettors can wager on whether the final score will be higher or lower than this number.

Football, particularly the NFL (National Football League) and college football, attracts massive betting interest. Popular betting lines include point spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals.

With numerous games each week during the season, football provides ample opportunities for betting.

Basketball, including the NBA (National Basketball Association) and college basketball (NCAA), is another top choice for betting fans.

Point spreads and totals bets are common, and the fast-paced nature of the sport offers frequent betting opportunities.

Football is the world’s most popular sport and offers a wide range of betting lines across various leagues and competitions globally. Popular bets include moneylines, totals, and Asian handicaps.

Major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and domestic leagues like the English Premier League attract significant betting action.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is popular for betting during its long season. Betting lines commonly include moneylines and totals. The slow pace of the game allows for detailed analysis and strategic betting.

MMA, including organizations like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), has gained popularity in sports betting circles. Bettors can wager on moneylines, method of victory, round betting, and other prop bets.