Sports betting has become very popular, but many beginners feel confused by the different types of bets. The three most common types are Moneyline, Spread, and Totals (Over/Under). Understanding these can help you enjoy betting more and make smarter choices.
Moneyline is the simplest type of bet. You are betting on which team will win the game. For example, if Team A is listed as -150 and Team B as +130, that means Team A is the favorite, and you need to bet $150 to win $100. If you bet $100 on Team B (the underdog), you win $130 if they win.
Point Spread betting is about the margin of victory. The favorite must win by a certain number of points for your bet to win. For example, if Team A is -6.5, they must win by 7 or more points. If Team B is +6.5, they can win or lose by 6 or fewer points for your bet to win. This bet is popular because it makes both teams more equal in the eyes of the bettor.
Totals (also called Over/Under) is a bet on the total number of points scored by both teams. You don’t pick a winner. For example, if the total is 45.5, and you bet “Over,” the combined score must be 46 or more. If you bet “Under,” the total must be 45 or less.
