When placing a sports betting bet, there are a few key concepts to keep in mind. These include straight bets, Over/Under totals and player props. Straight bets involve wagering on a single outcome of a game or event, such as the Toronto Raptors beating the Boston Celtics in an NBA game. An Over/Under total is a number that the bookmaker predicts for a particular matchup and a bettor either bets on the over (the team will score more points than the predicted total) or under (the teams will combine for less than the predicted total).
Player and game props focus on the performance of individual athletes in a particular game or event. A popular example is the over/under on a quarterback’s number of touchdown passes during a game, but players can also bet on things like the color of Gatorade that douses the coach after a win.
Developing a profitable sports betting system requires patience and a willingness to track your results over time. This allows you to identify which teams and matchups you perform best on and which ones you should avoid. A long-term approach will allow you to build a bankroll and increase your profits over time.
The most common way to bet on sports is by making straight bets. These are bets on a single event or outcome. For instance, if you think the Toronto Raptors will beat the Boston Celtics in an NBA game, you can make a straight bet on the team to win.