More Than Just A Number
One of the most exciting things about sports betting is all the different ways you can make money from it!
You may be familiar with the popular American Football (A.F.) line, which starts with the number sign (+) followed by the team’s name. For example, a -110 favorite might mean the bettor is betting that the total points scored by both teams will be less than 111. A successful bettor would win $110 if the total points scored by both teams is exactly 110.
However, there is so much more to sports betting than meets the eye!
The Verification Process
Most online sportsbooks will ask you to verify your identity before allowing you to make any wagers. This is simply to keep unwanted predators out of their books. It is a very common practice among online sportsbooks and can be found with many reputable brands.
You will be given a password to enter into the sportsbook’s website. Once you log in, you will be directed to the verification page. There you will need to provide either a credit card or a phone number where you can be contacted by phone. Once the sportsbook has reviewed your information, you will be allowed to wager. It is also common for online sportsbooks to offer no-verification-required options as well. This simply means they do not require you to verify your identity to make wagers.
Lay & Take
One of the most exciting things about sports betting is how much flexibility it offers. You can bet on virtually any sporting event, from the most popular to the least, and often times you can find a way to make money even if your favorite team does not win.
If you are a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and were planning on laying $3,000 on their victory against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle. The Eagles currently lead the series 2-1 and they are a -4.5 favorite. You may feel tempted to take the point spread and place the bet with a sportsbook that does not require identification. You could end up losing a lot of money!
On the flip side, if you are a New England Patriots fan and were hoping for them to cover the 5.5 point spread against the Houston Texans this weekend, you may be out of luck. Although the Patriots are 8-1 ATS this season, they are a lousy -6 ATS at home, which would virtually eliminate any chance of them covering the spread. Your only chance at making money on this bet would be if the Patriots score at least 24 points.
The key to making money from sports betting is taking advantage of the odds offered by bookmakers. You can do so by utilizing a betting strategy called parlaying. Essentially, parlaying means you are combining two or more bets in order to get a better return on investment than you would getting one of the individual bets. Let’s say you had $100 to place on the game and you saw a ten-dollar parlay offered for the Cowboys and Eagles game. You would basically place ten dollars on each team winning. Even though you would not win the entire $100, you would win enough to make the deal worthwhile. The key is to make sure you use betting strategies and have a good understanding of how they work so you can place winning combinations on a regular basis.
Props
Many people confuse sports betting with fantasy sports, but they are two very different animals. While fantasy sports pit you against other players, in sports betting you are competing against the bookmakers. This can be both good and bad. On one hand, you may be able to find the best odds available, but on the other hand, the better the odds, the more you are likely to lose. This is why many sportsbooks offer so-called cashless betting, which allows you to make wagers without needing to go through credit card verification. This is extremely beneficial if you are looking to place big wagers as it saves you both time and money. However, since the house always wins in the long run, cashless betting can be seen as a negative as well.
One of the great things about sports betting is how open it is to everyone. No matter what your experience level, whether you have never made a wager in your life or you are simply looking to make some extra cash, there is always a way to make it work for you. With the right strategy, understanding of odds, and careful consideration, you may discover a way to make money from sports betting even if you hate sports!