Sports Betting Basics

19 January, 08:51, by Bettor

Online sports betting offers fans ease and convenience when it comes to putting a few bucks on a game. Online sportsbooks have given anyone who has access to the Internet the opportunity to place a quick wager any time– day or night.

An array of wagers can be placed on games that are to be played that day. You may put money down using the point spread or the money line, and you can bet on the over/under. These three kinds of popular bets may be placed on baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and soccer contests.

When wagering on baseball or hockey you’ll find that the most popular bet is the money line. Another common wager made by sportsbook enthusiasts combines the point spread and money line. In baseball this type of bet is called the run line, and in hockey it is known as the puck line.

You may put money down on a team using one or more of these types of wagers. An additional popular wrinkle on these bets is the parlay, which allows you to substantially increase your profit margin and your risk of losing.

POINT SPREAD:

With the point spread, the team that’s favored has points taken away, or another way to look at it is that the weaker club is given some points. Point spreads are common when wagering on football and basketball. Let’s say you’re putting money on the Patriots- Dolphins contest and the point spread is 3 ½ with the Pats at – 3 ½ . You put a sawbuck on Miami and they lose 21- 20.

They may have lost, but you won some money. Why? In terms of the point spread the handicappers have spotted the team from Miami 3 ½ points. For you to lose, New England would have had to win by at least 4 points. According to the point spread, the bookmaker’s score was Patriots 17 ½ (21 – 3 ½ = 17 ½ ) and Miami 20. You win.

The half-points that odds makers put in point spreads are meant to guard against a “push.” As an example: the Utah Jazz play the Timberwolves in Minnesota and the home team is -1. If the game ends with Minnesota winning by one-point, 86-85 and you had put your money on the Jazz – do you win or lose? Neither – it’s a “push,” which means via the point spread the teams ended the game tied and you simply get back the money you wagered. You don’t win, and you don’t lose.

MONEY LINE:

When betting the money line in either baseball or hockey, you’re putting dough on a team to win regardless of the point spread. A money line in hockey would look like this: Columbus Blue Jackets +280, Detroit Red Wings -360.

In the Blue Jacket – Red Wings contest, if you put $360 down on Detroit, you can win $100. However, if you put $100 on Columbus and they win, you get your $100 plus $280. Remember, there is no point spread involved in this type of bet.

Why is the money line set up this way? When playing the money line, the team that is the underdog pays more for less of a wager. While it costs a lot more money to bet on the favored team, if they win you take in very little money. Also, if they lose, you’re out a greater amount of cash than if you’d bet on the team that was not favored.

This type of bet is based on the fact that more people will place their money on the club that is expected to lose because it’s cheaper and the payoff is much higher. Less money will be put on the better team but more will be risked per bet and the payoff will be substantially less. Either way, the bookmakers are covered. If the favorite loses, the sports books make their commission; if the favorite wins, the book makers break even.

Chances are the Jackets will lose, and the casino will keep that money and pay out a small amount to those who took the favored team. If the underdog wins, although the payout is high, the casino has taken in a substantial amount of money on the favorite and they actually make money.

RUN LINE AND PUCK LINE:

Most online betting services offer hockey and baseball as a point spread in conjunction with a money line. Thus, you have to play the money line but you get the benefit of a basic point spread. This combination of money line and point spread is called the puck line for hockey and the run line for baseball. Typically the point spread for baseball is set at 1 ½ runs and for hockey it’s 1 ½ goals.

OVER/UNDER:

When you place an over/under bet, you’re wagering on the total number of points that will be scored. When putting money on soccer, you may find that the over/under on the contest between Manchester United and Arsenal is 2.5. If you choose the under and 2 goals are scored, you win. However, if three or more goals are scored, you’d lose that wager. Typical over/unders in hockey range from 5 to 7, while a typical over/under for baseball is from 4 to 14 runs. The NBA basketball range varies quite a bit, from 175-225 points.

The total number of points for the over/under is based on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each team’s defense and offense, point trends, and match-ups. This bet really demands a solid understanding of each team’s potential on a given night.

PARLAY:

There are many other types of bets in which you can engage, but one that allows you to expand your winnings quickly is the parlay. A parlay bet is simply a wager that combines two or more bets. When you place a parlay, you must win every one of the bets to receive any payoff. Using this method of combining wagers gives you a much higher payoff on the same investment that you can make on one wager. Of course, there is a greater risk of losing.

If you parlay a bet on the Red Sox- Yankees run line, on the Angels- Mariners over/under, a third pick on the Angels- Mariners run line and a final pick on the Cubs- Cards run line, you could get odds of 12 to 1. Placing an $11 single bet on each of these wagers would mean you would put $44 down and get a payoff of $10 per wager. If you won all 4 bets, you’d make about $40. However, in playing a 4-bet parlay, one $11 bet could result in a $110 profit.

There are many other types of bets in which you can engage and online betting sites are constantly coming up with new twists. When wagering, take some time to do your homework on the sport, the teams, and the players. Wager wisely. Most gambling experts will tell you that a professional who knows what they’re doing will win about 60% of the time. Most professional wagering is not an attempt to win a lot at once; rather it’s a steady process where, with careful wagering, people turn a profit.

Sports betting online – before you start betting

19 January, 08:50, by Bettor

You may have come across some sports betting sites online, there is thousands of them. Since the birth of the internet it made it very convenient for people who enjoy sports betting to be excited about the game. The game that is football betting, basketball betting , baseball betting, nascar betting, betting on golf tournaments, soccer virtually anything that is not decided yet you can place a bet in an online sportsbook. The latest American Idol brought big volume of bettors to the sports betting portals door.

When selecting a place for sports betting there are some key things we have to consider, which the new-to-the-game-person might not be aware of to only learn after dropping some big bucks on sportsbooks that cheat , limit and cut players as they feel like. That is why Sports Betting Press is constantly monitoring a wide range of online sportsbooks and keeps the consumers updated about the ones that are consistenly scoring at a satisfactory level for sports betting fans, rising above all other sportsbooks.

A good sportsbook will handle your privacy at the highest level, have multiple ways to deposit money, have a responsive customer service, offers a wide range of events to place your bet on. You might think that sportsbooks offering huge sign up bonuses be a good place to bet, but usually those are the ones that just walk away with your money. There are some exeptions of course.

NFL betting, International soccer betting, basketball betting, baseball betting and betting on boxing events are some of the most popular events sports bettors place their wagers on. A good sportsbook also offers you reduced commission, meaning at one place you have to bet $110 to win $100 at another place where the sportsbooks commission is reduced you might only have to bet $ 105 to win $100, that can make a difference if you are serious about sports betting. Important to select a sportsbook that is tailored to your needs for instance if you are a high roller you probably do not want to play at a sportsbook where the highest limit is $ 500 and vice-versa the recreational player would like a place where sports betting is catered to recreational players.

So make sure before you start sports betting to visit our site, where you can find fresh information about , news, updates, reviews and daily lines.

9 Ways To Win At Sports Betting

19 January, 08:49, by Bettor

No luck on betting at sports? Well, here are some tips and guides on how to win at sports betting. Reading this article will definitely help you become good on sports betting.

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Article Body:
If you are looking to try your luck at sports betting then know that you do have greater odds of winning in this game than you would in roulette or craps. While those are games of chance, sports betting is a game of predicting a foreseeable outcome. Here are some tips on how to win big at the big game.

9.Place Bets on the Right Sports Book
Statistics suggest that placing bets with the correct sports book will make a big difference, and increase the odds of winning by 3%.

8.Bet Against the Public
There are some that claim that “fading the public” can be profitable. This has led many bettors to bet on the other team than is predicted.

7.Do Your Homework Before the Game
The best way to win sports betting is to research all aspects of a game, especially circumstances and data that others would not consider. Not even bookies will have time to research every sport and every game. Therefore, if you can create a niche for yourself, you could become an expert on a smaller conferences and find yourself winning big money.

6.Choose the Underdog at Home
Statistically speaking, it’s a good idea to bet on an underdog at home. A team will put forth their best effort at home stadium and underdogs have a way of triumphing over the odds in general. Using this strategy you may beat the odds too.

5.Bet at Just the Right Time
Bettors who bet on underdogs usually bet early. Therefore, if you are betting on an underdog try and bet late. If you are betting on the favorite then bet early. Going against the grain in sports gambling is often a smart move.

4.Make Arbitrage Bets
You can make money on sure bets regardless of the outcome of a game with arbitrage bets. The advantage of these bets is that it doesn’t matter what the outcome of a game is, since the only bet you made was on a specific happening.

3.Square or Sucker Lines
Many betters try to stay away from square lines (that is, lines that are designed to lure public opinion into betting a certain way) and in the end, can even make money off these phony wagers if they can closely monitor the betting percentages.

2.Never Gamble While Drinking
This may be common knowledge to some, a great shock to others. However, when you drink an alcoholic beverage, your judgment will be significantly clouded. A drink may also give you that extra “courage” to make a rash and expensive decision.

1.Manage your Gambling Money
Another lesson in common sense that is often ignored when it comes time to put down a wager: never bet more than you can afford to lose. In fact, it is recommended that you set aside a portion of your money for betting and to stick with it, regardless of your winnings or losses. Lastly, try to spread your total among a few smaller bets rather than risk it all on one sure thing that may not be as predictable as everyone thinks.

Wales vs England – Rugby Betting Tips

So now it is time for the reverse fixture, Wales vs England at the Millenium stadium.  After a right call on the game last week we are looking to make it a double.  Again it should be remembered that I am a huge Wales fan so everything I say should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Last week I argued that an experimental England side vs a settledish Welsh one would be a lot closer than the bookies suggested.  This week England have made 13 changes.  Usually that would mean problems, but the side that has been changed to could easily be argued to be the ‘settled one’ – much closer to the one that won the 6 Nations last season.

Problems for the Teams

Bad news for England is that Chris Ashton is out.  I saw him as being a big advantage to them – his forays into midfield on unconventional lines, hitting the 12 channel where a rusty Gavin Henson may not have the awareness or reaction time he used to could have led to a couple of tries.


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But even without him it is hard to see England losing this.  Last week Wales struggled in the scrums, so their only change to a tight 5 is to remove the powerful Bradley Davies and replace him with the weaker Luke Charteris.  England, by contrast, swap in a hooker and a tighthead even better at scrummaging than those that played last week.

Other problems that face Wales include

  • Their 12 having played about 5 games in 2 years
  • Jamie Roberts being pants at 13
  • Hook being a crap fullback
  • Faletau having a ‘mare last week
  • A lack of true ‘smash’ ball carriers.

Obviously England have problems of their own.  Henson might have expected to be targeted due to his lack of game time, but in Hape and Tindall they have two very simple players who hit people, hard, and that’s it.  Henson is a good hitter himself and Roberts is one of the biggest hitting centres in the game.

A lack of creativity in the backs will stifle England, whilst the Welsh backline is pure creativity, with superb distributors (and good runners) at 10/12, a 13 who can destroy anyway, a 15 who can beat a man on a sixpence and on the wings the little and large of dancing Shane Williams and the powerful George North.

But in my mind almost none of that will matter.  England’s tight 5 will shunt Wales off the ball in the scrums, and are mobile enough (especially with the superb Courtney Lawes at lock) to not be ‘run off the park’ which I would fully expect the Welsh pack to try doing.  Wales will struggle for ball – and given the number of penalties their tight 5 tend to give away England should simply be able to control the game, knocking over points and playing the corners.

William Hill are offering the handicap on England -4 (10/11) and I am all over that like me on a curry after a heavy nights drinking.  Or should that be a curry all over me?

Anyway I strongly suggest you jump on England on the handicap – if I am honest I see this being England by about 12 (though as a patriotic Welsh man I really hope I am wrong and lose this bet!).

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France vs Chile – International Football Betting Tips

There are a large number of football internationals being played tonight – which means a large number of possible bets and money to be made.  As ever though we are more focussed on what bets we can win.

And for that the best value looks to be the France vs Chile game.

I wouldn’t bet on a winner, it’s too hard to call.  France are now unbeaten in 11 but then Chile have only lost once in the last 12 games.  With both teams on such a winning streak betting on the winner would be daft.


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Goals Betting

However far more attractive is the amount of goals scored. I am aiming for the Under 2.5 market which William Hll has at 13/20

That may not sound amazing odds but some stats will show why it is a worthwhile bet

  • Of their last 11 games France have been involved in under 2.5 games 8 times
  • Of their last 12 games Chile have been involved in under 2.5 games 9 times
So what we’re looking at is 2 teams that average around the 75% mark in the unders market.  Given that both teams do that and they are facing each other that would up the probability considerably.
I would say the bookies have priced this one about right, but I still fancy it to come in nicely so will be putting a few quid on…
Will let you know about any other international football bets I see come up that look to be worthwhile!

First Betting Tip – England vs Wales, Rugby

So our first sports betting tip.  This one should be taken with a pinch of salt, as a Welsh man I have a slight bias for Wales (and a slight one against England).  And by slight I mean huge, in both cases.

That said I was shocked at the odds I saw for this weekend’s England vs Wales game and instantly jumped on Wales to beat the handicap.


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Why?

Well first of all 10/11 on Wales +13 (with William Hill) is huge odds at any time, especially with two teams that tend to be fairly evenly matched (in recent years anyway). I was expecting more like +3.

Yes England are at home in a stadium Wales haven’t been all that successful in, but then the teams are rather different to normal as well. Both teams can be seen on this England vs Wales blog post

England have picked a team that is very much a back up team.

England team to play Wales

D Armitage (London Irish); M Banahan (Bath Rugby), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), R Flutey (London Wasps), M Cueto (Sale Sharks); J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Care (Harlequins); A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), M Stevens (Saracens), S Shaw (Unattached), T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), L Moody (Bath Rugby, capt), J Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams).

Replacements: L Mears (Bath Rugby), D Wilson (Bath Rugby), M Botha (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton Saints), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), C Hodgson (Saracens), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby).

Of those only Cueto, Hartley, Croft and moody could make claims to being first choice. It is a back up team giving Martin Johnson a chance to run his eye over potentials ahead of the World cup in October.

Then the Welsh Team vs England

Wales: Rhys Priestland (Scarlets); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams; Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Mike Phillips; Paul James (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Craig Mitchell (Exeter), Bradley Davies (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Danny Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues, capt).

Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets).

That gives them first choice players in both centre slots, 11, outside half, scrum half, openside, both locks and arguably blindside. Importantly these positions form the core of the team.

Looking at the players the English set up there is a combination of poor form and players simply not good enough for the top level. Tactically they say they will move it, but looking at 10/12 it is hard to imagine, and the Welsh pack is better suited to being moved around anyway.

That said England have some advantages. Wilkinson is still a top 10 at a certain game plan, Armitage has been unlucky and lineout wise England are strong, whilst Wales are woeful. the front row should also have the edge in the scrum, though I would be surprised if it is much more than an edge – Stevens being a far better loosehead than tighthead, whilst both Mitchell and Paul James have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.

Despite all this I suspect an England win, which is why I didn’t go for the 6/1 for Wales to win, but I think it will be England by about 4 – giving plenty of wiggle room on the +13 bet!

My advice is jump on the handicap like a drunk man on a curry…aka me after the game!


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