Sports betting is a fun and exciting hobby that is growing in popularity. Originally, sports gambling was a criminal activity but it has been legalized in many states.

The Basics

In order to bet on a sport, you must first set up an account with a licensed sportsbook. This can take only a few minutes and can be done online. Once you’re set up, you can start placing wagers on your favorite teams or players.

The Favorite and Underdog

The favorite is the team that has a higher chance of winning a game or event. This means that the return is smaller on a bet for a favorite team compared to an underdog.

Similarly, an underdog has a lower chance of winning but it will pay out more. The odds for a favorite are usually marked with a negative sign and the underdog is often marked with a positive sign.

Betting Totals

In most sports betting options, you have the option to bet on a team or team outcome by placing your money on whether or not a team will score more runs/goals/points than the total amount posted by the sportsbook. For example, if the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are playing each other on Sunday, the total is 42.5.

Being profitable at sports betting takes a lot of research and disciplined bankroll management. Even professional bettors who make a living at it don’t turn a profit every time they place a bet. It’s also important to diversify your bets, which can help you to build up a solid bankroll over the long term.