How To Bet On Sports At A Casino
Money Line: The money line is a bet on the odds of a team winning the game as opposed to a point spread that is based on the scoring outcome. Money Line is a simple wager on which team will win. Create a Betting Bankroll. Your bankroll is crucial because it’s the key to keeping track of the money. Telephone Betting; Online Sports Betting Sites; Casino Sportsbooks. Many casinos around the world contain a sportsbook. They usually feature several big screen TVs showing any live sports action currently taking place, and computerized odds boards displaying all the latest odds.
When it comes to wagering on sports, the future has arrived. New laws and attitudes about gambling have made the hobby more accessible and accepted than ever before. Gone are the days of dealing with shady figures and defensiveness from professional sports leagues when the topic is brought up.
The rise of fantasy football and US sports betting apps have brought even the most fringe sports fans into the world of sports gambling. Some of the biggest sport shows on TV discuss lines, spreads, and odds in great detail.
But if you’re completely new to sports betting, you’ll be surprised at some facts you may not know about betting and how it works.
Although whether you’re a casual sports fan who’s just looking to make a few extra bucks during the weekend, or a hardcore, analytical individual who thinks the right system could be extremely profitable, these sports betting tips are what you need to know to get started.
1 – Create a Betting Bankroll
Your bankroll is crucial because it’s the key to keeping track of the money coming in and going out. Your bankroll should keep you in check and help you avoid spiraling out of control, or making bets that can really hurt your bottom line long-term.
Creating a bankroll isn’t difficult. Set aside an amount of money you can afford to lose (this is important) and don’t add more to it without serious consideration. Next, determine a percentage, or a percentage range, of that overall amount that you’ll bet on each game.
The key to being a profitable sports bettor is to keep track of the numbers and manage your bankroll. Without an adequate tracking strategy, you put yourself at risk of suffering big losses. If you’re just starting out, develop this habit from the jump and you’ll be better off for it.
2 – Learn the Different Types of Sports Bets
When you really get down to it, there are nearly endless types of bets you can place on sports. There are even secret US sports bets that many bettors don’t know about unless they’ve done their research. However, when you’re just starting out, it’s best to focus on the more popular bets and get a good handle on how it all works.
I’ll lay out the three most common that can be utilized effectively on just about any team sporting event.
Moneyline Bets
The moneyline is what you bet on when you’re choosing a team to win the game outright. You’ll see it listed beside the team as a (+) or (-) number. For example, in a game between the Colts and Packers, you might see “Colts +200” and “Packers -160.” This means that if you bet $100 on the Colts (the underdog) and win, you’d come away with $200.
On the other side, it would take a $160 bet on the Packers (the favorite) to win $100. Note that you don’t need to bet $100, but that’s the scale. For example, you could bet $10 to win $20 or $16 to win $10.
Spread Bets
Betting on the spread is a favorite of gamblers because it makes every game interesting. An example of a spread might be Eagles vs. Cowboys, with Eagles at -3.5 which would make them the favorite. On the other side, the Cowboys would be the underdog at +3.5.
If you bet on the Eagles, they must win by more than 3.5 in order for you to win your bet. If you bet on the Cowboys, you’d need them to lose by less than 3.5 and you’d come out on top.
When there’s no half-point involved, it’s possible to tie in what’s known as a “push.” For example, if the Eagles are -4 and end up winning by 4 exactly, nobody wins and you get your money back.
Over/Under Bets
Don’t really know who has the advantage in a game but have a feeling it’s going to be a high-scoring affair? Throw down your bet on the over! The over/under is probably the most simple bet in the game. The book will provide a number, and you decide if you think the combined final score will be over or under that number.
You might notice that in most of your bets it isn’t a perfect 1:1 risk to reward ratio. Typically, sportsbooks will make each “evenly-matched” bet, such as the spread or the over/under, a -110 proposition. That extra 10 is known as the “juice.” Essentially, it’s how the books make money if there’s 50% of the money on either side. There’s all kinds of betting math to understand, but you’ll pick up on it as you become more familiar.
3 – Find a Good SportsBook (But Don’t Get Too Loyal)
One of the best things about the increasingly relaxed laws regarding sports gambling is that several online sportsbooks are competing for your business. If you shop around for some deals that online books offer, you can find some that are worth exploring.
For example, several online books offer a matching bonus such as a free $100 when you load up $150 onto your account. It’s easy to think these offers are scams, but they’re genuine attempts to win your loyalty.
This is where another important tip comes in. Don’t become overly loyal to one particular sportsbook. On any given bet you’re looking to make, there’s a good chance you can find an offer on another site that gives you slightly better odds or a higher payout for your money.
This applies to regular sportsbooks, too. Say you’re visiting the Las Vegas’ Westgate sportsbook, you may be drawn in because it’s the largest sportsbook in the world. This shouldn’t stop you from shopping around the books over at Caesar’s Palace Casino.
They’re both great sportsbook options and could be offering bettors different moneylines.
So while it’s easier to just stick with one site where you feel comfortable, if you’re looking to make money and not just bet for entertainment, choosing the right book or books is very important.
4 – Don’t Chase Your Sports Betting Losses
This goes hand-in-hand with effective bankroll management. When you inevitably lose one or more bets, you want to make up your money as quickly as possible. In fact, you might even try to make up from two $20 losses by betting $40 on the next game. Don’t do this.
You’re going to have stretches where it feels like you’re losing the majority of your games. On the flip side, you will have stretches where you get hot and win a few in a row. The key to sports betting is to never get so deep in a hole that you put yourself in serious financial jeopardy.
It’s hard to do, but focus on making up losses by going slow and steady, not by taking a major risk. Effective sports betting is a long-term game and avoiding big losses is the best way to stick around until you’re safely in the green.
5 – Don’t Bet Blind
If you think sports betting is simply a game of chance, you’re not looking at it correctly. Having some degree of knowledge of a particular sport is hugely advantageous.
Just make sure that you’ve done some type of research before placing a bet. Remember, you don’t have to bet every game and sometimes, the best option is sitting it out.
Conclusion
Sports betting, for most, is a fun hobby that can put a few extra dollars in your pocket while increasing your enjoyment of watching the games. Before you dive headfirst into the action, take some time and get familiar with the options available to you.
As you get comfortable, you can experiment with all the other betting options like parlays and teasers, but as a beginner, it’s good to stick to the basics. As with any good vice, everything in moderation. Good luck!
Show of hands if you’ve ever wagered a cheeky ten bucks, bragging rights, or round of drinks on a game down at the bar. Don’t worry, no judgment. If you have, like many others, you have engaged in a mild form of sports betting. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Read on to find out more.
More than a 50/50 Game of Chance, Less than a Sure Thing
Without a doubt, you’ve heard commentators rattle off an impressive array of statistics about players and teams that compete against each other. It’s a testament to the fact that there is an element of probability to sports, however, no outcome is a sure thing and no game is completely evenly-matched from the onset.
Part of the allure of sports betting is that there is no guarantee of the outcome of a game. Whether it’s incredible displays of athleticism, mastery of the game, triumphs of the human spirit or the determination of an underdog to win, almost anything can happen. Very rarely are two teams equally matched and even when they are, there is a multitude of different factors that can still turn the tide of the game. It’s for this very reason why sports and sports betting continues to be an exciting past time.
Sports Betting Explained
Sports betting is a form of gambling in which you try to predict the outcome of a match or tournament and then wager your money accordingly. The money you wager is commonly referred to as a bet. The objective and goal are to win additional money. Generally speaking, there are only two possible outcomes. This is traditional fixed odds sports betting where the odds are agreed when the wager is placed. You win when your prediction is correct and lose when your prediction is wrong. Easier said than done, but we promise it’s fun! Speaking of odds, let’s briefly look at a few terms you should make yourself familiar with such as:
- Sportsbook or bookmaker – These are terms used to refer to a company that provides sports betting services.
- Selection – This simply refers to what you are betting on. For example, in a game of Lakers vs Warriors, if you were to bet on the Lakers to win your selection would be “Lakers to win”.
- Stake – This refers to the amount being paid to your respective booker for a wager.
- Odds – This states how much your bookmaker will pay in relation to the stake you make and is often influenced by how likely the selection is.
- Payout – This is the one you’ve been waiting for. It’s the amount your bookmaker must pay you when your selection is correct.
Other types of betting
There are a variety of betting types. All of them are a variation of traditional fixed odds betting with the exception of spread betting. They include:
- Live betting
Wagers are placed at fixed odds and can be placed during events as opposed to being placed before an event has started.
- Pari-mutuel betting
Used primarily for horse racing, pari-mutuel eliminates the need for a sportsbook or odds. Each bettor pays their stake into a pool and bettors who make the correct selection then receive a share of this pool.
- Exchange betting
Betting here takes place without a sportsbook and the two parties involved are bettors. One bettor is backing their selection while the other is laying it and offering fixed odds on it. If the backer is correct then the layer pays them out accordingly. If the layer is correct they receive the stake.
- Esports Betting
Esports betting is almost identical to traditional fixed odds betting. The only real distinction is that wagers are placed on competitive video gaming instead of a sport.
Spread betting is the true exception to traditional fixed odds betting because you wager your bets and pay-offs will vary by how accurate your prediction was.
Why bet on sports?
If you’ve ever experienced the excitement of game preview predictions or the smugness of having your predictions come to fruition, then online sports betting might just be for you. Not only is it incredibly entertaining and satisfying to be right, but you will also get money for your display of infinite wisdom (or luck). Here is a list of the sports you can typically bet on when you visit a sports betting site:
- Auto Racing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Horse Racing
Getting the Ball Rolling: How to bet on sports online
Choose One of the Best Sports Betting Sites
The popularity of sports betting has given rise to a plethora of betting sites. You want to make sure you find, at least, one of the best sports betting sites available that also meets your specific needs and requirements. To ensure that this is the case, make sure your chosen site gives you positive answers to the following questions:
- Is the site reputable and has it received good reviews?
- Are all your preferred sports available to bet on?
- Do the upper and lower limits of deposits/stakes work for your bankroll?
- Do they have a mobile app for sports betting?
- Are the bonuses and rewards attractive?
- Do they offer competitive odds and lines?
- Is live betting available?
Open an account
This is probably the easiest step in the whole process. Simply locate the registration button on the homepage of your chosen site, and follow the on-screen instructions to open your account.
Make a Deposit
How To Bet On Sports At A Casino No Deposit
Once your account has been opened, you will be mere fingertips away from online betting. Deposit some funds using a payment method that suits you. When making this initial deposit be sure to check if your chosen sportsbook offers a bonus. Apparently, all the best sportsbooks online do but that might just be bias speaking.
Start betting
Once your account is up and fully funded you’ll be ready to start betting online. In most cases, navigating around sports betting sites is simple with lists of different sports usually being made readily available. Pick your preference, then choose your betting market with your preferred odds. Enter the value of your stake and make your bet.
Be in the know
By this, we mean always be aware of the rules, odds, and lines at play so you don’t get caught unaware. Take the time to find the best option for your wagers. With regards to rules, they rarely vary but it’s always best to have no doubts about what could happen to the wager you placed in any given outcome. The more information you have, the better your decision-making will be. It will also pave the way for a bigger return, smarter decisions, potential promotions, and bonuses.
Helpful Hints and Tips to Remember
Before you rush off to register for sports bets online be sure to remember these hints and tips:
- Always start with the sports you enjoy.
- Have a set budget and keep to it.
- Be ambitious but also practical. Don’t stake too much on a wager.
- Learn different strategies and determine what works for you.
- Experiment with different types of wagers.
- Enjoy the experience!
Dotting Your Is and Crossing Your Ts
Online betting is still very much in its infancy which also means that it’s not yet available to everyone at all times. That is why it is important to check whether you are engaging in legal sports betting on registered sports betting websites or reputable sportsbooks. Sports betting in the USA is only permitted in states with legal sports betting.
Game on: Get in on Sports Betting Today
Sports betting is a front-row seat to the greatest drama and suspense show that life has to offer. If you have a knack for predicting sports results, or simply want a dependable sportsbook that will allow you to apply your sporting knowledge in a secure space for real money, register online with BetMGM today.
Online sports betting is available via the BetMGM app (except for horse racing) or from your computer. Sports betting house rules are available on BetMGM NJ sports and the app.
How To Bet On Sports At A Casino Game
Register today for NJ sports betting and start placing bets on your favorite sports teams.