Sports betting has become an engaging activity, offering fans an extra layer of excitement to their favorite games. For those new to this dynamic world, the wide variety of betting options can seem overwhelming. However, understanding the different types of sports bets is key to placing more informed wagers and maximizing your enjoyment.
Below, we break down the most common types of Sports Betting (體育投注) to bring clarity to the options available for sports enthusiasts.
- Moneyline Bets
One of the simplest and most popular types of sports bets is the moneyline bet. This straightforward wager is about choosing which team or athlete will win the game or match.
For example, in a basketball match between Team A and Team B, you’d bet on either Team A to win or Team B to win. Odds are set based on the probability of a team’s victory, with the favorite usually having lower payouts (e.g., -150 odds) and the underdog offering higher payouts (e.g., +200 odds). Moneyline bets are great for beginners due to their simplicity.
- Point Spread Betting
This type of bet introduces a handicap to even the odds between a favorite and an underdog. Sportsbooks set a “spread,” which is essentially the number of points by which the favorite is expected to win.
For instance, if the spread for a football game is -7 for the favorite, they must win by more than 7 points for you to win the bet. Conversely, betting on the underdog means they can either win outright or lose by fewer than 7 points for the bet to pay off.
Point spreads are particularly popular in football and basketball due to their usually high-scoring nature.
- Over/Under Bets (Totals)
Over/under bets provide an alternative way to approach a game’s outcome. Instead of betting on the winner, you predict whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
For example, if the total for a soccer match is set at 2.5 goals, you’d bet “Over” if you think three or more goals will be scored, or “Under” if you expect two or fewer. This style of betting is versatile and works across a variety of sports, from football to hockey.
- Futures Bets
Futures bets are long-term wagers placed on events set to occur in the distant future, such as championship winners or season MVPs.
For instance, before an NBA season begins, you might place a futures bet on which team you believe will win the championship. Because these bets are placed far in advance, they often come with higher odds, giving potential for larger payouts.
However, the trade-off is the need for patience, as the outcome might not be determined for weeks or months.
- Parlay Bets
If you’re looking for higher stakes and bigger rewards, parlay bets might catch your eye. A parlay combines multiple individual bets into a single wager. For the parlay to win, all of its individual bets must be correct.
For example, in a three-leg parlay, you might bet on Team X to win their game, a specific over/under for another game, and the point spread for a third. Due to the increased risk of requiring all selections to be accurate, parlays offer much higher payouts than individual bets.
- Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)
Prop bets focus on specific events or player performances within a game rather than the game’s outcome.
Common examples include betting on the total number of rebounds by a player in a basketball game, predicting which player will score the first goal in a soccer match, or whether a specific quarterback will exceed a set number of passing yards.
Prop bets are highly flexible and often add an entertaining twist to sports betting, especially during high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
- Live/In-Game Betting
With advancements in technology, live or in-game betting has surged in popularity. This type of betting allows you to place wagers as the action unfolds in real-time.
You can bet on outcomes like which team will score next, how many points will be scored in a specific quarter, or updated moneylines based on the game’s progression. Live betting keeps you engaged and allows you to react to changing scenarios on the fly.
