Straight bet
The most common type of sports wager is on the result of a single game, known as a straight wager. One team is typically favored over another by a pointspread; the favorite gives the underdog points as a head start, for betting purposes only.
The favorite is always indicated by a minus sign (-3) and the underdog by a plus sign (+3). The amount of points a customer must give or take is estimated to be the amount which will generate equal wagering on both the underdog and the favorite.
For betting purposes, the result of the game is determined by taking the actual score and subtracting points from the favorite's score or adding points to the underdog's score. So, a favorite can win the game but lose for betting purposes and an underdog can lose the game but win for betting purposes.
In most straight bets which are set by a pointspread, the customer lays $11 for every $10 the customer wishes to win. For example, the Green Bay Packers may be favored by 7 points over the Chicago Bears. A customer who wishes to win $10 on Green Bay must give Chicago 7.
If Green Bay wins by more than 7 points then the customer wins $10. If Green Bay wins by less than 7 points or loses outright, then the customer loses $11. On the other side, in order for the Chicago bettor to win, Chicago must win the game outright or lose by less than 7 points.
Total bet
A customer can also bet whether the combined number of points or goals scored by the two teams in the game will be over or under the total set by the oddsmaker. For example, if the total is 42 and you believe that the combined points scored by the two teams will exceed that number, you would bet over. You would bet under if you believe the total points score will be less than 42.
Moneyline bet
A bet on a matchup between two teams may be set by a moneyline instead of a pointspread. If a matchup is determined by a moneyline, like Major League Baseball, then it will cost the customer more to wager on the favorite.
For example, the Atlanta Braves are a -150 favorite over the Chicago Cubs. In this example, the customer must lay $150 in order to win $100. If Atlanta loses, the customer loses $150. However, the customer could bet on Chicago, in which case the customer would lay $100 in order to win $140 (10 cent line). If Chicago loses, the customer only loses $100, and if Chicago wins, the customer would win $140.
EXOTIC SPORTS WAGERS
There is also exotic sports wagers like
Parlay,
Teasers,
If-bets. More information you can
find in wager sportsbook guides.
Nine Wager Guide,
Mybookie Wager Guide,
Betcom Wager Guide.
