If you love sports betting, then you’re in luck because there are a plethora of sports games that you can bet on. You may be asking yourself, “What are these three sports games? Do I need to know the difference between them?”
Yes, dear reader. These are football (soccer), basketball, and hockey. If you’re not familiar, each of these sports is played throughout the world. But perhaps you are familiar with one or two of them. In that case, read on.
The Differences Between Football (Soccer), Basketball, And Hockey
To get the lowdown on the differences between football (soccer), basketball, and hockey, let’s examine their rules and regulations. First, here are the rules of football (soccer):
- Each team is made up of nine players
- The pitch is oval-shaped
- There are no kickoffs
- The game ends when the ball hits the goal line or is placed over it by a member of the defending team
- Two points are awarded for a win
- A match can end in a draw (called a “draw” in FIFA or soccer parlance)
- Teams must change ends after each half
- A match can last up to 90 minutes
- If there’s a score at the end of five minutes, the teams change ends
As you can see, there are quite a few rules. And if you think this is simple football (soccer), then you can try out the free game at Pinnacle Sports. They’ll match you up against famous football (soccer) odds from around the world. Plus, you can bet on any football (soccer) game playing on their site.
Basketball
Basketball is a bit simpler than football (soccer). Generally speaking, there are only two teams competing, each made up of five players on offense and five on defense. The objective is to score more points than the other team.
Here are the general rules of basketball:
- The game is played on a rectangular court with a basketball net at each end
- The objective is to score more points than the other team
- Each team is allowed one time-out per half
- Only one player from each team is allowed to stay on the court during play (this is known as a “benchmark”)
- Scoring is achieved by making a basket (also known as a “field goal”) or hitting a free throw (also known as a “three-point play”)
- A team scores one point for each basket made during the game (with two exceptions)
- If the score is tied at the end of the third period, there is a sudden death overtime (SDO)
- Each team earns one point for each rebound (after a missed shot) that results in a put back, tip-in, or jam
- When the clock reaches zero during a timeout, the ball is reset and play resumes
- A game can end in a tie
- The team that makes the most field goals wins
- There are no block shots or defensive rebounds in basketball
- Hockey
Finally, we reach hockey. As the name suggests, hockey is played on ice. There are four players on offense and four on defense. The goal is to put the puck into the opposing team’s net for a goal.
Here are the general rules of hockey:
- Two teams are pitted against each other in a battle to score more goals than the other team
- The puck is placed on the surface of the ice in the middle of the rink
- The teams change ends (goals) after every two periods
- Every goal, except the first, is worth two points
- A team earns one point for each goal scored during a game (with the exception of the first goal of the game, which is worth two points because the puck is placed in the middle of the ice prior to the start of play)
- A power play is initiated when a team has more players playing with one pass (usually having only one or two players on the ice. The team is awarded a numerical advantage in the upcoming shift)
- There is a three-minute penalty for delay of game (five-minute minor penalty)
- Only players on the ice can score goals
- Goaltenders are very important in hockey because they stop the puck from going in the net
As you can see, there are quite a bit of differences among these three sports. But it doesn’t end there. These three sports have a myriad of differences regarding the specific rules and regulations. For example, in football (soccer), a player’s hands are in bounds when he’s on the pitch. In basketball, it’s only the feet that touch the ground. And in hockey, it’s the player’s skates that touch the ice. This is just to name a few.
What Do The Odds Mean?
Odds are the chances of winning or losing a wager on a particular outcome of an event. For instance, if you wager $100 that the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in 2020, the odds are then 1:20 (20 cents to 1 dollar).
A favorite of many sports bettors is the use of odds to gauge market movement. For example, if you look at odds for the 2020 World Cup to be held in Africa, the United States has more than a 50% chance of hosting the event.
You can use the same approach to determine the favorite odds of any sporting event. Just look at the spread between the two teams to find the best odds available. As an example, take a look at these odds for tonight’s Super Bowl:
Denver Broncos +1 45.0
Arizona Cardinals –1 47.0
The spread between these two teams is only +1, so the odds are currently placed at 45.0 for the Broncos and 47.0 for the Cardinals. If you were to wager $100 on tonight’s Super Bowl, you would win $450 if the Broncos win and you lose $450 if the Cardinals win. Making $200 in net profit, as long as both teams win by exactly the same margin. (1.45 – 1.45 = 0.0, meaning you’d break even.)
What are the advantages of making a wager on sporting events? First, as mentioned, you can place wagers on any sporting event, regardless of whether you’re familiar with the sport or not. Second, you get to enjoy the thrills of the event without having to worry about the financial ramifications of losing. And third, the odds for most sporting events are readily available and updated frequently, so you won’t be at a disadvantage if you don’t know much about the game.
Three Ways To Bet On Three Sports Games
Now that you know the rules and differences among the three sports, let’s discuss three different ways to bet on them. First, wagering websites that specialize in sporting events. Second, the daily fantasy sports game, in which you play against other participants. And third, the prop betting market, which allows you to place wagers on the outcome of real-world sporting events. We’ll take a quick look at each option.
Wagering On Sports With Sites Like Pinnacle Sports
If you’re not familiar, Pinnacle Sports is a sportsbook that also offers online gaming, virtual sports, and betting. As a matter of fact, they’re one of the largest sports betting websites in the world, with hundreds of thousands of transactions happening every week. You’ll find a plethora of leagues, with thousands of games each week. So whether you’re a fan of baseball, basketball, or hockey, there’s a ton of opportunity to place wagers on the outcomes of sporting events.