According to a survey conducted in 2022, 19% of U.S. adults reported having placed bets on sports at some point. It makes sense since sports betting can be a fun and exciting way to add an extra layer of excitement to your favorite sports games.
But if you’re new to sports betting, it can also be intimidating and confusing. That’s where a sports bet calculator can come in handy.
In this post, we’ll run you through our mini sports betting guide so you can learn some of the fundamentals. We’ll then focus on NFL betting and move on to using a sports calculator. So read on and learn how to take your game-watching experience to the next level with sports betting!
Sports Betting Guide
When you place a bet on a sports game, you’re essentially predicting the outcome of the game. You can bet on things like which team will win, how many points will be scored, and even specific plays or events that will happen during the game.
There are several different types of sports bets you can make. Some common types include:
Moneyline Bets
These are the most straightforward bets, where you simply predict which team will win. The odds will be listed as a positive or negative number, with a positive number indicating the amount you would win if you bet $100.
For example, if the odds are +200, you would win $200 if you bet $100, and the team you chose wins. If the odds are -200, that means you would have to bet $200 to win $100.
Point Spread Bets
In these bets, the favored team is given a “point spread,” which is a set number of points that they are expected to win by. If you bet on the favored team, they must win by more than the point spread in order for you to win your bet.
If you bet on the underdog team, they can either win the game outright or lose by less than the point spread for you to win your bet.
Over/Under Bets
In these bets, you are predicting whether the total number of points scored in the game will be over or under a set number.
For example, if the over/under is set at 50 points, you would bet on the “over” if you think the total points scored will be more than 50. Or you would bet the “under” if you think it will be less than 50.
Parlay Bets
A parlay bet is a combination of two or more individual bets into one single bet. All of the bets in the parlay must win for the parlay to be a winner.
These can be a fun way to potentially win big. But they are also riskier because all of the bets must win for you to win the parlay.
Sportbooks
Once you’ve decided on the type of bet you want to make, you’ll need to visit a sportsbook to place your bet. A sportsbook is a place where you can go to place bets on sports games.
You can find sportsbooks at physical locations like casinos. Or you can visit online sportsbooks to place your bets from the comfort of your own home.
Betting on NFL Games
The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States. Thus, it’s no surprise that people want to bet on NFL games in large numbers.
If you’re interested in betting on NFL games, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Research the Teams and Players
The more you know about the teams and players involved in the game, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed bets. Look at statistics like the team’s overall record, their performance at home versus on the road, and the players’ individual stats.
Injuries can have a big impact on the outcome of a game. Be sure to keep track of which players are injured and how that might affect the team’s performance.
Consider the Weather
Weather can also play a significant role in NFL games, especially in the colder months of the year. If the weather is expected to be cold and snowy, that could affect the passing game and give an advantage to teams with strong running games.
On the other hand, warm and sunny weather could favor teams with strong passing attacks.
Look at the Point Spread
The point spread is a way for sportsbooks to even out the betting on both teams. If one team is heavily favored to win, they may have a large point spread, while the underdog team will have a smaller point spread.
Keep in mind that the point spread is not always an accurate reflection of the expected outcome of the game. So, it’s important to do your own research as well.
Using a Sports Bet Calculator
Now that you have a basic understanding of sports betting, let’s talk about how a sports bet calculator can help you make informed bets. A sports bet calculator is a tool that allows you to input the details of your bet and see the potential payout based on the odds.
Using a sports bet calculator is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Choose the type of bet you want to make (e.g., Moneyline, point spread, etc.)
- Enter the odds for your bet. These can often be found in the sportsbook or online
- Enter the amount of money you want to bet
- The sports bet calculator will then show you the potential payout for your bet
For example, let’s say you want to make a Moneyline bet on the Dallas Cowboys to win their next game. The odds for this bet are -200, and you want to bet $100. Using a sports bet calculator, you can see that if the Cowboys win, you would receive a payout of $150 (your original $100 bet plus the $50 profit).
There are some great resources out there to help you to choose your teams. We recommend these NFL best bets.
Win With a Sports Bet Calculator
If you want to try and improve your sports betting, use a sports bet calculator. It will help you see potential payouts based on the odds it provides you.
For more advice on various topics, keep tabs on our blog!
Getting More Interesting News
Link Building and Review Management for Local
How to Become an Amazon Seller
Getting Started Selling on Amazon