If you’re new to sports betting or just want to learn more about the theory behind point spread and prop bets, then this article is for you. We’ll cover everything from how to place bets to what kind of strategies you can use to win.
Betting Basics
Before you dive into the theory and strategies, it’s important to understand the basics of betting. Most sportsbooks offer what’s called “parlays,” or wagers on two or more outcomes. For example, you can place a parlay bet on the Giants and the Steelers to win, and on the Niners and the Browns to cover. When all the bets are settled, your winnings will be based on the sum of the outcomes you picked.
Why Are Parlays Popular?
You might wonder why anyone would want to wager on two or more outcomes. The truth is, it’s pretty popular because it’s easy to understand, and most sportsbooks offer this type of bet. For example, if you’re a fan of the Boston Bruins, and you see that the team faces off against the New York Rangers tomorrow night, you might wonder if betting on a Bruins win and New York loss would be a good idea. After all, the Rangers are one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year. However, when you look at the spread for tomorrow’s game, you’ll see that the over/under for the total number of goals is set at three, so it could very well be a bad idea to wager on the Bruins losing.
NBA Betting Strategy
This is where things get a little bit tricky. As we mentioned, most sportsbooks offer parlays, but not all of them are created equal. Some are much better than others, and understanding how they work is essential to being a successful NBA bettor. Before we begin, it’s important to note that just because a sportsbook offers these types of wagers doesn’t mean that all their lines are created equal. You should always do some research before placing a wager, just to make sure that the line you’re considering is actually a good one.
Don’t Bet The Over
The first and most important rule when it comes to betting is to never bet the over. This is probably the most important rule for everyday bettors, but it’s worth emphasizing when discussing NBA odds. The number of times this rule is broken on a daily basis is absolutely astounding. On any given day, there will be people who bet the over and subsequently lose massive amounts of money. When this happens, it’s usually because they either didn’t know or didn’t care about the rule, and it’s the people who break it that get hurt, not those who follow it.
For example, let’s say you’re watching a game, and the spread is 4 points in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s pretty well established that the Cavs are going to win the game, but you want to place a wager on it, just to see if you can pull off a miracle. You look at the odds for Cleveland, and they’re listed as 4.0 favorites. Naturally, you decide to go with that and place your wager. Unfortunately, the person next to you is a complete idiot, and they bet the over on the Lakers, who cover the spread by five.
For some reason, this idiot decided to go against the grain and bet the over when they should have known better. They probably didn’t care about the rule, or maybe they just didn’t know it. Regardless, they wound up losing about $20,000 on the game, while you, the savvy bettor, made about $10,000. In an effort to win back some of the money they lost, this idiot is more than likely going to ask you how you knew that the Cavs were going to win.
Know When To Fold ‘Em
It’s also important to know when to fold ’em. Sometimes you’ll encounter sportsbooks that are completely unregulated and have no concern for your financial well-being. These are the types of places where you’ll see outrageous bets and lines that are very difficult to justify. Naturally, you’ll want to put a stop to this type of activity as soon as possible. Before you do anything else, contact the support team and ask them to review your account for potential misuse. Afterward, you can contact the authorities to file a complaint.
Scared Money
Even if you keep all these rules in mind and follow them perfectly, you’re still probably going to lose money at times. This is a very common problem for people who decide to wager on sporting events, and it has a very simple explanation. Sometimes, you just aren’t going to win. When this happens, it’s important to remember that there are still goals in the game, and you’re simply not going to be able to overcome them. Your only solution is to walk away with your pride intact and do it all over again another day. When you lose a lot of money in a short amount of time, it’s called “scared money,” and people who keep on betting even when they’re losing are most likely the ones who get caught up in this predicament.
Watch Out For Bonuses
Every few months, casinos and sportsbooks alike will throw in some free money with no obligation attached. Sometimes this is in the form of a sign-up bonus, where they’ll give you a certain amount of cash just for making a certain type of bet. Occasionally, they’ll give you several thousand dollars just for signing up and using their online casino or sportsbook. These types of bonuses are great because they typically come with no strings attached, and you don’t have to pass a physical test or anything like that to qualify for them. Just make sure that you keep all of this in mind when taking part in any type of wager, especially something involving finances.
Additionally, be on the lookout for any type of shady deals that the bookie might offer. Some sportsbooks and casinos aren’t above giving you the hard sell when it comes to wagering, and they’ll try to rope you in to certain types of bets that they might have just to make a quick buck. It’s not necessarily fraud or unfair dealing; it’s more of a way of keeping afloat. When you’re approached by a bookmaker with what feels like an unreasonable offer, it might be a good idea to walk away. There are plenty of legit places where you can make a wager, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your hard-earned money.
Learn From Your Mistakes
As much as it’s important to follow the rules and form your own opinions of what’s fair, it’s also important to recognize when you’re wrong. Sometimes, you’ll make an error in judgment, and you’ll place a wager that turns out to be the wrong choice. When this happens, it’s important to know that you’re human, and you’re going to make mistakes. However, you should also know that you’re allowed to learn from your mistakes and try to be a little bit smarter the next time around.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty common for people to make the same mistakes over and over again. Sometimes you’ll bet on the under, and sometimes you’ll bet the over. You’ll rarely see someone who bets on consecutive odds, but it happens, and sometimes it’s all down to pure bad luck. When this happens, it’s important to remember that you did everything right, and there’s just a glitch in the system. Keep all of this in mind, and try not to let it get to you too much. Even baseball fans have told me that the hardest thing for them to do is just forget about their mistakes and move on. Sometimes, life just isn’t fair, and there’s nothing you can do about it. When that happens, you can either complain about it or you can walk away with your head held high.
Thanks for reading! I hope this was a helpful guide to getting started. Just remember, practice makes perfect, and it’s all about earning that perfect bettor status.