Sports betting is a multi-layered pastime filled with nuances and parlance, which can all be a bit overwhelming to newcomers who don’t know where to start.
But if you are dipping your toe in sports betting and are having a punt for the first time, there are a few simple and vital components that are easy to understand and will help bettors get underway.
Tips For Beginners To Bet On Sports
Favourites vs Underdogs
Arguably the most fundamental part of sports betting, oddsmakers decide which team (or individual, depending on the sport) is the favourite and which is the underdog, based on factors such as form, injuries, home-ground advantage and reputational ability.
It’s simple for beginners to identify who is the favourite and who is the underdog in a head-to-head sports fixture in online sports betting: the favourite will pay a lower price to win than the underdog.
If the teams/individuals are evenly matched, their head-to-head price to win will be very similar – or exactly the same, which in online betting parlance is known as a ‘pick ’em. ’
Online sports odds will change for live sports betting depending on how a game is unfolding.
Spreads or Line Betting
Otherwise known as points start, or handicap betting, the spread is one of the key tenets of sports betting. Essentially, the spread is the number of points a team is expected to win by.
If Brisbane Broncos are 7.5 point favourites (half-points are often used to take a tie, or ‘push’, out of the equation) against Sydney Roosters, they will be listed at -7.5. If a bet is placed on the Broncos, they must by 8 points or more to ‘cover’ the spread and for the bet to be successful.
If a bet is placed on the Roosters +7.5, they must either lose by 7 points or less or win outright to cover. In this instance, the Roosters have effectively been given a 7.5-point head-start in a betting sense.
The spread or points line will shift in live sports betting during a game, depending on how the game is unfolding.
Over/Unders or Total Points Betting
Otherwise known as totals betting, over/unders is a market to bet on the total number of combined points two teams will score (or, in sports such as tennis, for example, the total number of games that will be played).
Oddsmakers will set an over/under line as close as possible to the predicted total points that will be scored in a match. A bettor can either choose to bet on the over (that more points than the set total will be scored) or the under (that fewer points than the set total will be scored).
For example, if the over/under line for a Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters match is set at 42.5 points and the final score is 22-14, bets on the under will be paid out. If the final score is 30-20, bets on the over are successful.
The actual match result is irrelevant in an over/under bet (unless combined with another option in a double or multi bet).
How Much to Bet
The short – and most sensible–answer to how much you should bet is: only what you are prepared to lose. That’s a good rule of thumb to use regardless of how juicy the online sports betting odds are or how sure you are that your bet will be successful.
Like any form of wagering, there are good and bad days – it ebbs and flows. Taking a flat betting approach (put simply, betting the same amount on every game) is advisable, limiting yourself to around five per cent of your bankroll (the total amount you have to bet with).
There’s nothing more frustrating or deflating than blowing through your entire bankroll in the first couple of games due to being overconfident and staking too much.
Rotation Numbers
Rotation numbers are a term used at physical sportsbooks and are less common in online sports betting.
A rotation number (also known as an NSS number or Vegas ID number) is assigned to a team or individual, sport and league. Most sportsbooks use the same rotation numbers as each other across the sports they run markets on.
Conclusion
Starting out in sports betting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the basics—like favourites vs underdogs, spreads, over/unders, bankroll management, and even rotation numbers—you set yourself up for a smarter betting journey. Stick to clear strategies, avoid emotional decisions, and always bet responsibly. For more beginner-friendly guidance and insights, trust Sports Betting Tips to help you navigate the world of online sports betting with confidence.
FAQ’s
What is considered the easiest sport to bet on?
Tennis and Basketball are generally considered the easiest sports to bet on, largely due to their high predictability, one-on-one or smaller team structures, and a high volume of data available for analysis. Tennis offers straightforward moneyline bets with high predictability for top players, while basketball (NBA) provides many games to analyze, allowing for consistent, data-driven betting.
What does +3000 odds to win mean?
For a +3000 bet, each $100 you bet, you’ll receive $3000 in winnings.
What are easy bets for beginners?
Money line betting is one of the simplest forms of betting, and it’s an easy one for sports betting beginners. Simply put, betting on the money line is picking which team (or player in individual sports like golf or tennis) is going to win a game or match.
What is the hardest gambling game to win?
Casino Games and Their Difficulty Ranked
Poker – The Hardest Game to Master. Most casino games favor the house.
Blackjack – Math Meets Memory.
Baccarat – Simple on the Surface.
Craps – Looks Complicated, Actually Simple.
Roulette – Spin and Pray.
Slots – Push Buttons and Hope.
Pai Gow Poker – Slow and Strategic.
What is the simplest betting strategy?
One such system is the 1-3-2-4 betting system. This system provides bettors with a structured approach that is quite easy to implement. It’s based on following a sequence and placing Unit bets on markets that provide even money bets or as close to 50/50 as possible. This includes games such as blackjack and roulette.
