Sports betting is predicting the outcome of a game or event and placing a wager on that prediction. You can place a bet on anything that happens during a game, including player or team performance, total points, and more. You can find odds on these occurrences by visiting the sportsbook of your choice. The odds are set based on the probability of something happening and you can choose which side to bet on by placing your wager against the sportsbook’s line.

One of the most common mistakes new sports bettors make is betting on their favorite teams or players. This can be a bad strategy if you can’t remove bias and focus on the team’s current ability to perform. Instead, it’s better to start with smaller bets and gradually increase your wager amount as you gain confidence.

Another common mistake is backing heavy favorites. This can be risky and often doesn’t require any real skill. Favorites are given high odds for a reason – they are the more likely team to win, but that doesn’t mean they always do.

Props are a fun way to bet on in-game events and can add some variety to your betting experience. They’re also a great way to practice your skills and try out new strategies. A good rule of thumb is to only bet props that you can afford to lose – this will help you avoid feeling too much pain when you lose a bet you thought was a sure thing!