Did you know that around one in five U.S. adults said they have bet money on sports in some way in the previous 12 months?
If you want to become a part of this and join in this fun, you need to learn how to get into sports betting. This means you have to learn how to read sports betting odds to know what you’re doing because they’re not always easy to interpret.
Don’t worry; in this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about how to read sports odds. That way, you can enjoy sports betting to the fullest.
Read on to find out more just like where to find the best bookies not on Gamstop.
Origin of Sports Betting
The origin of sports betting is thought to date back to Ancient Greece. In Athens, a popular form of entertainment was to place bets on the outcome of athletic competitions. The first recorded Olympic games took place in 776 BC, and it is thought that betting on these events was taking place even then.
The ancient Romans also enjoyed a good bet on the outcome of sporting events, and it is thought that this is where the word “bet” originates from. In Latin, the word “betum” means to bet or wager.
Sports betting has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Ancient Greece and Rome. Today, it is a billion-dollar industry, with people all over the world placing bets on the outcome of their favorite sporting events. There is no doubt that sports betting is here to stay. However, before you place a bet, it is important to understand how to read sports odds.
The Basics to Read Sports Odds
When trying to read sports odds, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that the oddsmakers are trying to create a market that will attract bets on both sides. To do this, they will set the lines as close to 50/50 as possible. This means that the sportsbook will make money regardless of who wins the game. The vigorish, or juice, is the percentage of each bet that the bookmaker keeps.
The Types of Wagers
If you’re new to sports betting, reading odds can be confusing at first. But once you learn how to read odds, you’ll be able to choose the right wagers for you. There are three main types of wagers:
1. Moneyline
Moneyline betting is simply placing a bet on which team will win the game. The odds will be either positive or negative and represent the amount of money that will be won or lost on the bet.
For example, if the New York Yankees are playing the Boston Red Sox and the money line is -200, this means that you would need to bet $200 on the Yankees to win $100. On the other hand, if the money line is +150, this means that you would win $150 for every $100 that you bet on the Red Sox.
2. Point Spread
A point spread is the projected numerical form of points that separate a particular two teams. A game with a spread will have an underdog and a favorite. The favorite is the team that is expected to win the game and will have a -(minus) sign next to their point spread. The underdog is the team that is expected to lose the game and will have a +(plus) sign next to their point spread.
For example, if the New England Patriots are playing the Buffalo Bills and the Patriots are -5.5, that means the Patriots are expected to win the game by 5.5 points. If you bet on the Patriots, they need to win the game by six or more points for you to win your bet.
If you bet on the Bills, they need to lose the game by five or fewer points for you to win your bet. If the Patriots win by exactly 5.5 points, it is called a push, and you will get your money back.
3. The Total
When you bet on the total, you are essentially wagering on the combined point total of both teams. For example, if the total is set at 45 and you bet the over, you are predicting that the two teams will score more than 45 combined points. If you bet the under, you are saying that the teams will score fewer than 45 points.
Types of Odds
There are three types of sports odds that are used by punters and bookmakers. These are:
1. Decimals
If you’re new to sports betting, you may be wondering how to read sports odds in decimal form. The decimal odds are relatively easy to understand, and they are the most common type of odds used by sportsbooks.
To calculate your potential winnings, simply multiply your bet by the decimal odds. For example, if you bet $100 on a team with decimal odds of 2.5, you would stand to win $250 if the team wins.
2. Fractions
To read odds in sports betting, begin by understanding the concept of value. Start by converting the fractional odds to decimal odds. To do this, divide the numerator by the denominator and then add 1. This will give you the decimal odds. Next, determine the amount you want to bet.
To calculate your potential winnings, multiply your stake by the decimal odds. Finally, to calculate your overall return on investment, subtract your stake from your winnings.
3. American Odds
American odds are either positive or negative and are used to indicate how much money you will win or lose on a bet. Positive American odds indicate how much money you will win on a $100 bet, while negative American odds indicate how much money you will lose on a $100 bet.
How to Beat the Odds in Sports Betting
If you want to beat the odds in sports betting, you need to know how to read sports odds. Odds are written in several different ways, but they all have one goal: to communicate the probability of an event happening. The most important thing to remember when reading odds is that the lower the number, the higher the probability that the event will happen.
For example, if you see odds of 1.5, that means there is a 50% chance that the event will happen. If you see odds of 2.5, that means there is only a 40% chance that the event will happen.
To calculate the probability of an event happening, you simply take the inverse of the odds. So, if you see odds of 1.5, you would calculate the probability by taking 1/1.5, which would equal 0.67. This means that there is a 67% chance that the event will happen.
When betting on sports, you always want to bet on the team or player that has a higher probability of winning. However, keep in mind that sportsbooks are also trying to make money, so the odds are usually not 100% accurate.
Now, if you are looking for the best possible odds on your bets, it is important to compare the odds offered by different bookmakers. The bookmakers’ review or BMR can help you do this by providing you with information on the different bookmakers and their offers. This will allow you to make an informed decision on which bookmaker to use.
Why Do Sports Betting Odds Change?
Most times, sports betting odds change due to public betting action. When the public bets on one team more than another, the sportsbook will adjust the odds to encourage more betting on the less popular team. This is done to balance their book and ensure that they don’t lose money on the event.
However, there are other times when sports betting odds change, such as when there is a large bet placed by a sharp bettor. In these cases, the sportsbook will also adjust the odds to try and limit their exposure.
How to Find the Right Sportsbook
When it comes to finding the right sportsbook, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the sportsbook is reputable and that it has a good track record. There are a lot of sportsbooks out there that are nothing more than scams, so you need to be sure that you’re dealing with a legitimate company.
Another thing to keep in mind is the bonuses and promotions that the sportsbook offers. Many of them will offer sign-up bonuses and other promotions that can be very advantageous to bettors.
Last but not least, you need to make sure that the sportsbook offers good customer service. There will inevitably be times when you need to contact customer service for help, so you want to make sure that they’re responsive and helpful.
Understanding Sports Betting Odds and How to Read Them
Sports betting can be a confusing and daunting task for many people. However, by understanding how sports betting odds work, it can be a much easier and more enjoyable experience.
To read sports odds, you will need to understand basic betting terminologies and how odds work, such as point spreads, money lines, and totals. Odds tell you how likely an event is to happen and how much you could win if it does.
With a little practice, you will be able to understand and use sports odds to your advantage.
Keep reading our website to find more content that can help you today.