Sports betting is one of the fastest growing entertainment markets in the world. With the legalization of sports gambling in several states, the industry is booming. However, many people are still unfamiliar with the basics of sports betting.

Bankroll

To be a profitable sports bettor, you need to have a specific bank account that is solely for placing bets on your favorite teams and games. This way, you can keep track of your bankroll and not spend all your winnings on a single game.

Betting Odds

Understanding betting odds is the key to successful sports betting. You can learn to read these numbers by studying the results of previous games and by reading a variety of articles online.

Spreads and Cover

The most common type of sports bet is a spread. A spread is a margin of points that the favored team must win by to cover the bet. For example, if San Francisco closes as a three-point favorite against Arizona and they win 27-24, neither team can cover the spread and all bets on the spread are returned.

Value Bets

Whether you are a casual or professional bettor, value bets can help increase your profits and minimize your losses. These bets can take a bit of time to learn and develop, but they are a great way to build up your bankroll over the long run.

A good rule of thumb is to risk no more than 1% to 5% of your bankroll per play. This way, the bad runs will not have a huge impact on your bankroll.