Sports betting involves placing a wager on a sporting event outcome. There are a variety of bets to choose from, such as moneylines, spreads and parlays. Regardless of the type of bet you place, there are some key principles that can help you make smarter wagers and increase your chances of winning.

Identifying the Best Teams to Back
When betting on sports, it’s important to look at the numbers and unique circumstances of each game. You should also remember that you’re not smarter than the market, so don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad bet.

Bet with your head, not your heart
In sports betting, the oddsmakers balance the playing field between two teams by giving a handicap to one team. This number is known as the point spread. If the underdog wins by more than that number or loses by less, you win the bet. In general, a plus sign (+) before a team’s odds indicates they’re the underdog and a negative (-) sign means they’re the favorite.

Another popular type of bet is the totals bet, which is based on the combined score of both teams in a game. For example, if the LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks are playing each other, the oddsmakers will set a total of 42.5 points. If you think the Rams and Seahawks will combine for more than that amount, you bet on the over; if you expect a defensive slugfest, you bet on the under.