One of the most exciting aspects of sports betting is getting a line on the action. Having a line means you know what the odds are beforehand, which gives you an advantage. When you are betting on sporting events, having the odds is vital, as you can’t afford to waste time finding out the outcome after the fact.
The problem is that not all betting lines are made equal. Some lines are way better than others, and there are several things that you should look out for when evaluating the quality of a betting line. This article will introduce you to the different types of lines available, how to identify a good line, and how to use them effectively when betting.
Short-Sport
If you are a diehard fan of a particular sport, such as American football or horse racing, you will probably be more familiar with short-form of the game. For instance, if you are betting on the Super Bowl, instead of waiting for the entire game to play out, you will be able to make your wager anytime during the first three quarters. Short-sport is also commonly referred to as ‘inside’, or ‘in-game’ betting, which gives you the opportunity to place wagers as the game is unfolding.
As the name suggests, short-sport lines are short, and sometimes they can be tricky to predict the outcome of. This is because the game itself is usually over quickly in comparison to the other sports, which means there is less opportunity for the lines to move. If you are lucky enough to get behind the wheel of a car on a long road trip, and you want to make some bets, you will have to wait until the entire trip is done, before getting your stake. During the trip, the line is most likely to remain the same, as there is very little opportunity for it to move, since the trip itself is already taking the longest.
Long-Sport
When we think about betting lines, especially when talking about horse races, we usually think about the short-forms of the games. However, there is another type of betting that you should know about, which is referred to as long-sport or ‘out-of-game’ betting. This type of betting allows you to bet on almost any type of sporting event, regardless of how long the game itself lasts. For instance, you can place a wager on the World Series of Baseball, even if the game goes into extra innings.
The advantage of long-sport lines is that you don’t have to worry about the game running long. This opens up the possibility of making multiple bets during the game, as the clock will not affect their movement. The disadvantage is that these lines are usually very broad, which makes it more difficult to predict the outcome of the game. If you are looking for an edge in your betting, you should go for long-sport lines, but you should understand that you are taking on a big risk.
Tropical-Sports
If you like to travel, and you get the chance, you should visit a destination where the gambling opportunities are different from what you might find at home. Traveling to a country where sports betting is legalized provides you with a better chance at winning, since you will have the odds in your favor. A great way to find legal betting opportunities is by looking on the websites of the major bookmakers, as they will usually have information on where to travel to, to get the best odds on your favorite sports.
One of the most exciting things about tropical sports is the opportunity to bet on a game that you have never heard of, in a country that you have never been to. If you have the chance, you should try and make the most of it. The disadvantage is that not all sporting events are available for betting, especially in the beginning, until you build up a bankroll. Once you have enough funds, you can travel to any place in the world and bet on any event, with no restrictions.
Proprietary-Sports
If you want to bet on sports that are not open to the public, or that you cannot find where to legally bet on, you should go for proprietary-sport lines. Proprietary-sport lines are usually available only at certain bookmakers. If you want to make the most of this type of line, you should go for events that take place during the off-season, or at least off-hours. This gives you the opportunity to bet on events that take place in private clubs and tournaments, which are not always open to the public. One of the biggest advantages to betting on these events is that you are able to move around freely, as the clubs do not have to report any wins or losses. The disadvantage is that finding events that are open to the public can be hard, as clubs usually do not want to publicize their events, as they want to keep memberships high, and guests are usually welcome to join the club for the occasion.
Stranger-Sports
If you like to travel, you should visit a destination where the gambling opportunities are different from what you might find at home. Traveling to a country where sports betting is legalized provides you with a better chance at winning, since you will have the odds in your favor. A great way to find legal betting opportunities is by looking on the websites of the major bookmakers, as they will usually have information on where to travel to, to get the best odds on your favorite sports.
One of the most exciting things about strange sports is the opportunity to bet on a game that you have never heard of, in a country that you have never been to. If you have the chance, you should try and make the most of it. The disadvantage is that not all sporting events are available for betting, especially in the beginning, until you build up a bankroll. Once you have enough funds, you can travel to any place in the world and bet on any event, with no restrictions.
Reduced-Risk
If you want to bet on sports that are not open to the public, or that you cannot find where to legally bet on, you should go for reduced-risk lines. Unlike proprietary lines, which offer the opportunity to bet on any sport, reduced-risk lines allow you to bet on specific teams or players, rather than the entire league or franchise. This is done for safety reasons, as the bookmakers want to make sure your personal information is not stolen by hackers, and they also do not want to take unnecessary risks, since this could lead to legal trouble.
Fixed-Oddsmaker
An even more secure way to bet on sports is to go with a fixed-oddsmaker. A fixed-oddsmaker is a company that you can trust, since they have to abide by the laws of the land, as well as protect your privacy. Betting on a fixed-oddsmaker is usually done through online casinos, as these sites are regulated, and keep all of their players’ information secure. If you want to bet on sports in a way that is completely anonymous, and you can’t find a bookmaker that supports that type of betting, you should go with a fixed-oddsmaker.
Money-Back-Bet
If you want to protect your capital, and you don’t want to take any risks, you should go for a money-back-bet. These types of bets allow you to stake a certain amount of money, and if the outcome of the game is favorable, you will get your stake back. In most cases, money-back-bets are with an even money proposition, which means that if you bet on a horse that is favored in the race, you have not risked any money, as the proposition is even.
Takeaway
In the end, the choice is all about what you are looking for in a line. If you are looking for a way to make quick cash, go for the exotic-sports, stranger-sports, or reduced-risk lines. If you want to travel, go for the proprietary-sport lines, since they allow you to bet on events that take place in private clubs and tournaments, as well as off-hours, which are not always open to the public. If you are looking for a way to protect your capital, go for the money-back-bet, as these bets allow you to stake a certain amount of money, and if the outcome of the game is favorable, you will get your stake back.