Millions of people around the world watch sports and think to themselves, “Hey, betting on sports must be easy money.” The truth is that it’s not. In order to break even after factoring in the vig (or “juice”), a sports bettor needs to hit 52.4% of his bets. Even the most successful “experts” only get about 60% of their bets correct on average.
If you want to bet on sports, it’s important to know the basics of each sport. For example, there are different rules for basketball and football, and each has its own unique set of nuances. The most common bets are on moneylines (who will win) and spreads, but there are also many other types of bets that you can make, such as prop bets (more specific outcomes, like how many points a player will score).
The first step is to identify the bet or bets that you want to place. Then, you need to research each sportsbook. Read user reviews and look at the different betting markets available. Also, check out the vig percentage and the number of games that are offered.
Once you’ve found a sportsbook that meets your criteria, it’s time to deposit some money. Make sure to only use cash, as most sportsbooks do not accept credit cards. When you place a bet, the potential payout will be displayed on your betting slip. This includes the amount you wagered plus the odds of your bet winning.