Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.

Sports Betting Guides

If you are looking for assistance or suggestions in your sports betting journey, you have come to the right place. Our betting experts have cultivated comprehensive guides to help you navigate your sports betting journey.

We have divided our betting guides into three different categories:

  • Betting type guides
  • Sport-specific betting guides
  • Betting strategy guides


Betting type guides

If you are new to sports betting, you may be unfamiliar with some of the common bet types, like over/under and spread. Fortunately, we have betting guides for each of the major types of bets you can place at the top sportsbooks. Below is a brief introduction to the types of bets. Click on the link to the guides for more detailed explanations.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting is one of the more straightforward types of bets. Essentially, you are betting on who wins a particular game, with shorter odds for favorites and longer odds for underdogs.

Point spread

A point spread is when oddsmakers even out the odds by setting a point margin that the favorite team needs to cover. The favorite needs to win by “X” amount of points and the underdog needs to come within “X” points of winning. It is the most common type of bet in major sports.

Over/under

Also known as “total” betting, this type of bet centers around the projected total number of points, runs or goals expected to be scored in a game.

Futures

As its name implies, futures betting is a type of bet where the outcome of a long-term, multi-stage event is predicted, usually far in advance. For example, picking who you think will win the NBA Finals before the playoffs (or season) start. In our review of each sportsbook, we found competitive futures odds on Caesars Sportsbook

Up To $1,000 In A Bonus Bet
If Your First Bet Loses

Validated on: November 25, 2024

Claim bonus

Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet to settle must lose to qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. ©2024, Caesars Entertainment. WASHINGTON, DC: It is unlawful for any individual who is noticeably intoxicated or impaired to engage in sports wagering. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 800426. OLG Class A licensed Operator. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. MA: CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

Validated on: November 25, 2024

Parlay

Are you looking for a bet with a higher payout? A parlay is when multiple bets are strung together. If all “legs” of the parlay hit, you get a higher reward than if you make each bet separately. The downside is that if even one part of the parlay loses, so does your whole parlay bet.

Live betting

In contrast to pre-match betting, live bets are placed once the match is already underway. While live odds do get adjusted throughout, you may sense how momentum is shifting in a game and decide to bet accordingly.

Sport-specific betting guides

NFL

The NFL is easily the most popular sport to bet on in the United States. You can bet on the spread, moneyline, over/under, player and team props and a whole lot more. NFL lines are as sharp as they come, so be sure to put in your research before placing your bets.


College football

College football has long owned fall Saturdays in the sports world. With the legalization of sports betting across the country, betting on college football has continued to grow in popularity each year.

The types of bets that are so popular in college football are relatively similar to NFL betting, though markets do differ and are not quite as extensive as they are in the NFL. FanDuel is our favorite sportsbook to use for betting on college football

Bet $5 Get $150 In Bonus Bets If Your First Bet Wins
+ 3 Free Months Of NBA League Pass
NO Code Required Claim bonus

21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (excluding certain perishes), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Void where prohibited. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. After 3 months free trial, the full price of League Pass will be automatically charged monthly; cancel anytime. NBA League Pass – local blackout restrictions appply. No refunds. Terms, restrictions, and embargoes apply. Limit 1 pass per customer. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).


NBA

When betting on the NBA, you want to stay up-to-date as much as possible on the latest news, since players sitting out due to injury or rest can significantly affect the outcome and news often does not come out until close to tip-off.

Check out the NBA betting guide for much more information on the best practices for betting on the NBA.


College basketball

Even casual sports fans are familiar with betting in March, but the college basketball season runs from November through April and, with over 360 Division I teams, there are a plethora of games to bet on every night. There are great advanced analytics websites available for college basketball to help you get a potential betting edge.


MLB

Speaking of a long season, with 162 regular season games there are so many opportunities to bet on MLB games. Betting on baseball is a bit different that other sports in that instead of a point spread, the more common bet is on the run line, which you can read more about in our MLB betting guide. When it comes to where you should bet on MLB, DraftKings Sportsbook is our favorite due to it’s vast betting markets

Bet $5, Get $150
If Your Bet Wins
NO Code Required Claim bonus

21+ only (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). 21+ and present in DC, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA, or VT. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH and where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Data & text rates may apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).


Betting strategy guides

If you are looking for a methodical strategy to help guide your bets, our comprehensive strategy guides may just be what you need. Betting strategies are recommended for all bettors, whether you are a beginner or more advanced. While you may win some bets by just going off-the-cuff, over the long term a tried and true system is more reliable for sustained success.

How to read odds

Before you can adopt a strategy, you need to know how to read odds. This guide is differentiated from our betting type guides in that the type guides explain and define the different types of bets, such as point spreads and totals. The guide about reading odds teaches how to read different odds, what the “+” and “-” mean and other relevant information.

Sports betting strategies

As mentioned earlier, betting strategies are crucial for long-term betting success. We go more in-depth on why this is the case in our sports betting strategies guide. Additionally, we explain several strategies for both basic and advanced bettors, We also get into which strategies are most applicable to each of the major sports. Tip No. 1: Take advantage of as many sportsbook promos as you can get your hands on, with BetMGM’s offers being consistently top-notch.

Up To $1,500 In Bonus Bets
If Your First Bet Loses

Validated on: November 25, 2024

Claim bonus

21+ only. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Min. first deposit of $10. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Bonus bets amount equals lost stake up to $1500. Must be physically located in NC, NJ, IN, WV, DC, CO, PA, MI, IA, AZ, LA, TN, IL, VA, MD, MS, WY, MA, KS, OH, or KY. Void where prohibited. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Data & text rates may apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA).

Validated on: November 25, 2024

FAQ

What does it mean to cover the spread?

Covering the spread is when a team wins a point spread bet. See our point spread guide for more information.

What is the smartest way to make a betting profit?

The best way to make a profit while betting is to use a sports betting strategy and apply it appropriately to the bet you are making.

What is the most popular sport to bet on?

Football is the most bet-on sport in the United States.

Can I bet on a game after it has started?

Yes, most major sportsbooks offer live betting options.