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Sports Betting
On this page
Introduction
I have a ton of stuff on this website about sports betting. Way to much to fit on one page. If you're already familiar with the basics of how to make a sports bet, I invite you to go to skip this page and jump to one of my pages on a specific sport, as follows:
If you're new to sports betting, this page will endeavor to teach you the major types of bets. We'll use the photo above as a reference for some of them. In particular, we'll focus on the Rams/Vikings game, which looks like this:
Oct. 11, 2009 — Vikings Vs. Rams
| 401 | Vikings | -10 | -600 |
| 402 | Rams | 41 | +400 |
In all sports betting, the odds are on a "to one" basis. In other words, you always get your bet back, plus winnings, if you win. So, for example, if you must bet $11 to win $10, then you would present $11 at the window and the writer will give you a ticket worth $21 if it wins.
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Money Line
Money Line bets are simply on whom will win. No point spreads or any other nonsense.
Most of the time, one team will be favored over the other. So, if you bet the underdog, then you're rewarded with more than even money if they win. If you want to bet the favorite, then you will have to risk more than what you stand to win.
Consider game numbers 401 and 402 in the example above. The +400 for the Rams means that a bet on the Rams would pay 4 to 1. The -600 on the Vikings means that if you bet them, then you have to lay 6 to 1.
Examples:
- A $100 on the Rams would win $400.
- A $600 bet on the Vikings would win $100.
Point Spread
The most common way to bet football and basketball is with a point spread. Most sports bettors like a wager that has about a 50% chance to win. Less than that and you'll probably lose. More than that and you won't win much if you do win.
Compare Online NBA Odds
Basketball : NBA
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
New York Knicks Milwaukee Bucks |
-165
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-110 (-3.5)
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The Bucks are favorites due to their strong lineup and home advantage. The Knicks must excel defensively to compete. Giannis' performance is crucial. |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets |
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-105 (4.5)
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The Mavericks' defense faces a tough challenge against the Nuggets' attacking strength. Key players like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are crucial in determining the outcome. |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
Chicago Bulls Sacramento Kings |
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-105 (3.5)
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Consider Bulls’ defensive strategies against the high-scoring Kings. Watch key players' performances and recent form. Home court could influence outcomes. Analyze betting odds and historical matches for insights. |
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Sun Jan 12th 6pm
Boston Celtics New Orleans Pelicans |
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Boston Celtics' strong defense clashes with Pelicans’ dynamic offense. Key players include Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson. Consider team form and injury reports before betting. |
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Sun Jan 12th 6pm
Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers |
⇗5.00 |
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Consider the 76ers' strong home record and Magic's away challenges. Look at past head-to-head outcomes and key player performances. Keep an eye on injury reports and team dynamics. |
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Sun Jan 12th 6pm
Cleveland Cavaliers Indiana Pacers |
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Cleveland Cavaliers have a strong defensive lineup. Indiana Pacers rely on fast pace. Key players: Donovan Mitchell (CLE), Tyrese Haliburton (IND). Watch for a close contest. |
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Sun Jan 12th 6pm
Washington Wizards Oklahoma City Thunder |
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-110 (230)
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Watch for strong performances from key players. Both teams have dynamic offenses, but defensive inconsistencies could affect outcomes. Thunder may have slight edge due to home court advantage. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
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Sun Jan 12th 8pm
Utah Jazz Brooklyn Nets |
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Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets clash in a thrilling match. Key players, recent form, and home advantage may influence outcomes. Monitor injuries and starting lineups for informed betting. |
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Sun Jan 12th 9pm
Phoenix Suns Charlotte Hornets |
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Phoenix Suns, with stronger defense and star power, favored over Charlotte Hornets. Suns' recent form impressive. Hornets may struggle, especially in the paint. Expect a competitive but likely Suns victory. |
Basketball : NBA Championship Winner
| Sat May 31st 6pm | Competitor/Team | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics |
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| Oklahoma City Thunder |
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| Cleveland Cavaliers |
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| New York Knicks |
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| Denver Nuggets |
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| Dallas Mavericks |
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| Milwaukee Bucks |
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| Golden State Warriors |
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| Memphis Grizzlies |
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| Minnesota Timberwolves |
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| Los Angeles Lakers |
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| Los Angeles Clippers |
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| Orlando Magic |
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| Houston Rockets |
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| Philadelphia 76ers |
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| Phoenix Suns |
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| Sacramento Kings |
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| Miami Heat |
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| Indiana Pacers |
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| Atlanta Hawks |
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| San Antonio Spurs |
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| New Orleans Pelicans |
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| Chicago Bulls |
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| Utah Jazz |
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| Brooklyn Nets |
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| Charlotte Hornets |
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| Detroit Pistons |
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| Toronto Raptors |
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| Portland Trail Blazers |
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| Washington Wizards |
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Basketball : NCAAB
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sat Jan 11th 10pm
Pepperdine Waves Loyola Marymount Lions |
-110
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Loyola Marymount's defense is robust this season, giving them a slight edge. Pepperdine must leverage its strong offense to counterbalance. Watch key players' fitness levels for betting insight. |
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Sun Jan 12th 12pm
Chattanooga Mocs VMI Keydets |
⇗300.00 |
⇗210.00 |
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Chattanooga Mocs have a higher win potential against VMI Keydets due to strong defensive stats and recent form. VMI struggles offensively, making Chattanooga a favorable bet. |
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Sun Jan 12th 12pm
Northwestern Wildcats Michigan St Spartans |
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Northwestern Wildcats rely on strong defense; Michigan State Spartans excel in rebounding. The game is expected to be close, emphasizing strategic plays and dynamic player matchups. |
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Sun Jan 12th 12pm
Purdue Boilermakers Nebraska Cornhuskers |
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Purdue's strong lineup gives them an edge, but Nebraska's home advantage can't be overlooked. Expect a competitive game with potential surprises impacting spread bets. |
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Sun Jan 12th 12pm
Niagara Purple Eagles Rider Broncs |
-267
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Expect a close game; focus on Purple Eagles' strong defense and Broncs' offensive speed. Key players and betting trends might influence over/under outcomes. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Iona Gaels Quinnipiac Bobcats |
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Iona excels in defense. Quinnipiac's offense can challenge. Iona favored due to recent form. Lineups and injuries could impact. Consider Iona for a marginal win. Dynamic game anticipated. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights St. Francis (PA) Red Flash |
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Fairleigh Dickinson's strong defense may challenge St. Francis (PA). Watch for turnovers. Home advantage could benefit Red Flash, but Knights' recent form is impressive. It could be a tight match. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Central Connecticut St Blue Devils LIU Sharks |
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Central Connecticut St Blue Devils have been strong at home. LIU Sharks need to improve their defense to compete. Watch player matchups for betting edge. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Canisius Golden Griffins Saint Peter's Peacocks |
210
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Consider home advantage for the Golden Griffins; Peacocks' defense is strong. Analyze recent performances and injuries. Expect a close match, but the home team might edge out the victory. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Robert Morris Colonials Wright St Raiders |
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Evaluate team stats: Robert Morris' defensive strategy may hold against Wright State's offense. Consider recent form and player matchups. Weather any injuries for smarter betting. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Mt. St. Mary's Mountaineers Sacred Heart Pioneers |
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Mount St. Mary's strong defense faces Sacred Heart's agile offense. Watch for Mountaineers' 3-point shooting. Pioneers rely on fast breaks and rebound control. Game could be a close contest. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Michigan Wolverines Washington Huskies |
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The Michigan Wolverines have a strong defensive line, while the Washington Huskies excel in three-point shooting. Expect a tight game with potential for a low total score. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Merrimack Warriors Manhattan Jaspers |
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Merrimack Warriors and Manhattan Jaspers evenly matched. Strong defense and three-point plays expected. Betting odds suggest close game. Consider total points under and player performance bets. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Chicago St Cougars Stonehill Skyhawks |
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The Chicago St Cougars struggle with defense, giving Stonehill Skyhawks an edge. Key players' performance will be crucial. Watch for potential upsets as both teams adapt strategies. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Le Moyne Dolphins Mercyhurst Lakers |
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Le Moyne Dolphins vs Mercyhurst Lakers: Expect a close game. Analyze team stats, player performances, and previous matchups to inform your bets. Watch for defensive strategies. |
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Sun Jan 12th 2pm
Marist Red Foxes Fairfield Stags |
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Marist Red Foxes have a resilient defense. Fairfield Stags excel at offensive rebounds. Consider betting on total points being under, considering both teams' playing styles. |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
Colorado Buffaloes West Virginia Mountaineers |
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Colorado Buffaloes' solid defense challenges West Virginia Mountaineers' offense. Consider Buffaloes for underdog potential with a focus on defense. Close game expected; key players to watch: Battey, McBride. |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Charlotte 49ers |
-145
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Consider Tulsa Golden Hurricane's strong defense against Charlotte 49ers' offensive tactics. Analyze recent performances and player conditions to make informed decisions. Home advantage could impact the game's outcome. |
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Sun Jan 12th 3pm
Western Carolina Catamounts Mercer Bears |
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Western Carolina's strong defense could challenge Mercer. Mercer's offense needs to be efficient. Over/under betting may depend on defensive performances. Consider player's recent form. |
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Sun Jan 12th 4pm
Penn State Nittany Lions Oregon Ducks |
122
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Consider team's current form, injury status, and head-to-head history. Evaluate home-court advantage. Analyze recent performance metrics and trends before making a wager. |
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Sun Jan 12th 4pm
Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles |
-225
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Research team stats and recent performance, consider injuries and home advantage. Note Arkansas-Little Rock’s defensive strategy and Southern Indiana’s scoring abilities. Check betting odds for informed decision. |
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Sun Jan 12th 5pm
Florida Atlantic Owls UAB Blazers |
-165
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Florida Atlantic Owls and UAB Blazers are poised for a thrilling match. Owls' strong defense and Blazers’ dynamic offense promise an exciting showdown. Watch for key player performances. |
To achieve about a 50/50 chance of winning a bet on a lopsided game, like the Rams vs. Vikings above, the sports books have come up with the "point spread."
Before I go on, let me clarify some terminology. Despite it being probably the most popular way to bet, there is no particular term for a bet against the spread. Many people call this a "straight bet." However, this term can also be used, and is printed on tickets for, money line bets, total bets, and any other bet involving just one game. For purposes of this page, I call such bets a "point spread" bet, and invite the rest of the world to adopt this terminology.
A point spread is simply a handicap you give the weaker team, or deduct from the stronger one, depending on how you look at it. For example, if my average scoring in bowling is 120 and I play somebody with an average of 140, then to make a wager fair, I might be given a free 20 points. In this case you would say my point spread is +20.
In the example above you can see a -10 next to the Vikings. That means that the Vikings are favored to win by 10 points. So, if you bet the Vikings you give up ten points and if you bet the Rams you get 10 points.
Usually with point spread bets you risk $11 for every $10 you stand to win.
Examples:
- A $110 bet on the Rams would win $100 if they win the game or lose by less than 10.
- A $110 bet on the Vikings would win $100 if the Vikings win by more than 10.
Both bets will push if the Vikings win by exactly 10.
Total
Total Bets are similar to point spread bets, except the bettor bets on the total points scored. In the example above the bettor bets whether the total points combined between the Vikings and Rams will be over or under 41. Like point spread bets the bettor must generally risk $11 to win $10, for a house edge of 4.54%.
Examples:
- A $55 bet on the under would win $50 if the total points in the game were 40 or less.
- A $55 bet on the over would win $50 if the total points in the game were 42 or less.
- Any bet on the over or under would push if the total points in the game were exactly 41.
Parlays
Parlay bets are a good and popular way to potentially win big with a small wager. The way they work is the bettor picks two or more events, which all must win or push to win the bet. One or more loss will cause the whole parlay bet to lose. In the event of a push, that "leg" of the parlay bet will be ignored and the win will be reduced to whatever it would pay if that selection were never made.
The way the win on parlay bets is calculated is as follows:
- If the player made two or more picks that are at -110 odds, then a parlay table will be used to determine to determine the win for just those events. These tables offer stingy odds, except for the two-leg parlay.
- After that, a mathematical calculation will be used for the other legs, as if the player made each bet independently.
As an example, consider the following parlay bet I made at the Golden Nugget, for the purposes of example only.
Note the parlay above contains four legs at -110 odds and one at +210. The Golden Nugget pays 11 to 1 for a four-leg parlay. The total return of a parlay, including the return of the original bet, is the product of what every bet would be on a for one basis. In this case, $10 × 12 × 3.1 = $372.20.
My advice on parlays is to never include more than two legs at -110 odds.
For more information on parlays, please see my section on parlay bets the NFL. You can also find a survey of Las Vegas parlay tables at Wizard of Vegas.
Compare Online NFL Odds
American Football : NFL
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Buffalo Bills Denver Broncos |
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Buffalo Bills have a strong home record. Denver Broncos struggle in away games. Key players to watch: Josh Allen for the Bills, Russell Wilson for the Broncos. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Philadelphia Eagles Green Bay Packers |
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⇗10.00 |
Eagles' strong defensive lineup against Packers' inconsistent offense. Key players include Jalen Hurts for Eagles and Aaron Rodgers for Packers. Weather may impact passing game. Eagles favored to win. |
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Sun Jan 12th 1pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Commanders |
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Tampa Bay's strong defense faces Washington's inconsistent offense. Betting favors Buccaneers. Key players: Brady for Tampa, McLaurin for Washington. Monitor injury reports for impactful lineup changes. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Mon Jan 13th 8pm
Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings |
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Consider Rams' strong defense against Vikings. Watch Cousins and Stafford; their performances may sway results. Home-field not crucial. Check injuries and weather for final decision. |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Buffalo Bills Baltimore Ravens |
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Buffalo's defense is strong but watch for Ravens' explosive offense. Lamar Jackson's performance will be crucial. Expect a balance of power plays and strategic tactics in this matchup. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers |
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Analyze team performance, injuries, and weather. Detroit's offense is strong, but Packers' defense solid. Watch for line changes. Home advantage crucial. Bet wisely considering key factors. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Detroit Lions Los Angeles Rams |
⇘5.00 |
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Watch for Detroit's rushing attack against L.A.'s defense. Stafford's experience is key. Monitor injuries and betting odds. Consider Lions as underdogs with potential surprise factor. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Detroit Lions Minnesota Vikings |
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Lions strong offensively, aim to dominate Vikings' weak defense. Vikings rely on passing game. Turnovers may decide outcome. Monitor injury reports. Weather could play a role. Close match expected. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Philadelphia Eagles Los Angeles Rams |
⇘5.00 |
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Eagles favor dominance with strong defense. Rams counter with dynamic offense. Key factors: Eagles' pass rush vs. Rams' aerial attack. Monitor injuries for impact on game outcome. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Philadelphia Eagles Minnesota Vikings |
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Consider Eagles' strong defense and Vikings' passing game. Key players: Jalen Hurts and Justin Jefferson. Weather and injuries could impact outcomes. Check latest stats before placing bets. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Minnesota Vikings |
⇗5.00 |
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Tampa Bay's solid defense may challenge Minnesota's offense. Monitor injury reports. Vikings' home advantage could be key. Betting on total points might be more reliable than the spread. | |
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Sun Jan 19th 1pm
Philadelphia Eagles Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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Eagles' strong offense contrasts Buccaneers' solid defense. Key QB performances, turnovers, and injuries will determine the outcome. Expect a competitive match with strategic playcalling. |
Teasers
Teasers are similar to parlays except the point spread on each game moves a certain number of points in the player's favor. In football the player gets 6 to 7 points, and in basketball, 4 to 5 points. The player pays for this in the form of much lower winnings. For example, if the Vikings were part of a 6-point teaser, then they would only need to win by more than 4 points to cover. If the Rams were part of a teaser, they could win, or lose by less than 16, and cover.
More information:
- Teaser bets in the NFL.
- Vegas sports book comparison for the teaser odds at all the Vegas sports book groups.
Buying Half a Point
In football and basketball, the straight bet player has the option to move the point spread 1/2 point to his advantage. The cost of this half point is laying 120, as opposed to 110. Not all sports books allow this, and if they do, they usually don't let you buy off of the common three-point margin of victory in football.
Futures
Futures are a bet on who will win the championship when there are still more than two possible teams to bet on. The house edge on futures varies substantially from one sports book to another. However, in general, they are a sucker bet.
More information:
- For information on who does offer the best futures in Las Vegas visit my sports betting appendix 5.
- You can also use my sports futures calculator to calculate the overall house edge of a set of futures bets.
Propositions
Often big games will have "proposition" bets on things not directly related to the final score of the game. These are usually abbreviated to "prop" bets. For example, in football whether or not the first score will be a touchdown. In baseball whether a run will be scored in the first inning. In hockey/soccer, whether anybody will score a hat trick. The odds on these are expressed like point spread bets. For example, as I write this the Golden Nugget has the following proposition bet on Super Bowl 49:
Will there be a safety in the game?
Yes: +500
No: -700
This means a bet on the "yes" pays 5 to 1, and on the "no" pays 1 to 7.
More information:
Basic Strategy
I could talk all day about betting sports but I know some of my readers just want it simplified to nice sound bites. For them, here is my basic strategy for sports betting:
- Money lines: Bet underdogs.
- Point spread bets: Bet underdogs.
- Totals: Bet unders.
- Parlays: Bet off the board as opposed to the cards. Either do a three-team parlay or mix in one event that doesn't pay -110 odds.
- Teasers: Unless you know to cross the key numbers (namely 3 and 7 in football), avoid teasers completely.
- Futures: Avoid them, as they carry a high house edge of about 30%. If you must bet them, for entertainment reasons, do so in strict moderation.
- Propositions: Bet unders and things not to happen.
- All bets: Shop around. Lines can vary from one sports book to another. It pays to compare lines for extra points or better odds.
Internal Links
- Betting the NFL In-depth look at betting professional football.
- Betting College Football In-depth look at betting college football.
- Parlay Bets in the NFL
- Teaser Bets in the NFL
- Pleaser Bets in the NFL
- Betting the MLB In-depth look at betting professional baseball.
- Betting the NBA In-depth look at betting professional basketball.
- Appendix 1 Comparative study on who has the best lines in Vegas.
- Appendix 2 Various topics in sports betting.
- Appendix 3 List of Las Vegas sports book families.
- Appendix 4 Fair prices to buy and sell points in the NFL.
- Appendix 5 Explores sports futures in greater depth.
- Appendix 6 Lost and expired tickets.
- Appendix 7 Companion to appendix 1, showing NFL money line pairs from several Internet sportbooks.
- Appendix 8 Comparative study on who has the best lines offshore.
- Appendix 9 Companion to appendix 8, showing NFL money line pairs from offshore sportbooks.
- Appendix 11 College football money lines.
- Total number of kickoffs in Super Bowl 43. Were there 9 or 10?
- Vegas sports book comparison at WizardOfVegas.com. Who offers what odds on parlays and teasers, as well as rebate percentages.
- NFL proposition bet calculator: The fair line on lots of common props, given the spread the total.
- Sports parlay calculator: To see what an off-the-board parlay pays, that isn't all -110 legs.
- Straight bet calculator: Calculate the house edge of any straight (two outcome) bet.
- Sports futures calculator: Calculate the house edge of a set of futures bets.
Sports Book Reviews
- 18bet
- 1xbet
- 22Bet
- 888sport
- bet-at-home
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- Betfred Sportsbook
- Betiton Sport
- betObet Sports
- BetOnline Sportsbook
- BetOwi
- Betsson
- BetUS
- Bodog Sportsbook
- BookMaker Sportsbook
- Bovada
- CampeonBet
- CloudBet
- CobraBet
- Everygame Sports
- Gbets
- GTbets
- Horse Racing Betting
- LeoVegas
- Linesmaker - No new players
- LV Bet
- Melbet Sports
- Mr.Play Sports
- MyBookie
- Neobet Sports
- OddsMaker
- Paddy Power Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sports
- Ruby Bet
- Sapphirebet
- Shangri La Live Sportsbook
- Sports Betting Online
- SportsBet
- Sportsbetting
- Sportsbook.ag - No new players
- SuperBoss Sports
- TigerGaming Sports
- Titanbet
- Top Bet
- Unibet Sports
- WagerWeb
- William Hill
Outside Links
- For a simplified explanation of sports betting, please visit my companion site Wizard of Vegas.
- My sports betting advice in Spanish at LasApuestas.mx.