What Are The Different Bet Types Articles | Gambling

By: Richard Bleuze

What Are The Different Bet Types

Straight - Straight bets are wagers on the outcome of a single event or game.  Straight bets are very popular with novice bettors.  If you place a straight bet, the team or event wagered on must win the game or event either outright or by covering the spread.  The payout in a straight bet is determined by the odds posted.

Moneylines - The moneyline is the same as the odds to win a game or event.  Generally moneylines are typically offered in North American sports and not European sports. It refers to the amount you must bet to win $100, or the amount of money that your wager will return.
An example of a moneyline bet is a bet of -110 means that you must bet $110 to win 100, while a moneyline of +110 would mean that you win $110 for a bet of $100.

Pointspreads - The point spread on a game is a prediction of the difference in the scores of two teams that are playing each other.  Usually offered in football or basketball.  An example of a point spread bet is if you bet on a team with a -3, that team must win by more than 3 points for you to win your bet.  However, if you bet on a team that is +3, that team may lose by 2 points or less, or win outright for you to win your bet.  If the +/- 3 adjustment results in a tie, the wager is push and you will get your money back.

Totals - The Total game score is used in football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.  You are betting on whether or not the "Total Points" scored in that specific game are going to go "Over" or "Under" the number established by the bookmaker.  This is what I generally bet on in various games.  Especially, during the NFL and NBA seasons!  

Parlays - Parlays are a selection of two or more wagering outcomes. In a parlay bet, all teams bet must win for the play to be active. If any one team loses, the entire bet is lost. In my opinion, this is a sucker bet.  However, payouts are hugh.  I recommend that if you want to make this kind of bet, that you do not exceed 2 teams in your parlay!

In a parlay, the bettor can combine different sports, point spreads and moneylines in win/loss and/or totals betting.  You may also buy points in betting a parlay just like in betting types. If there is a tie or cancellation, the parlay reverts to the next lowest number.  In addition, games not played on the date specified are considered "No Action" and reduce the parlay to the next lowest number of plays.

Teasers - Teasers are a selection of two or more outcomes in a single wager in which either the point spread or total is adjusted in the bettor's favor. Each sport has its own range of points for teaser selections. A teaser adjusts the spread for the favorite so that it decreases the posted spread, or conversely, increases the posted spread for the underdog. If you select a total, the adjustment makes totals higher to go under or lower to go over.

Buy Points - Buy Points refers to a bettor moving the point spread for a given game in order to give up fewer points on the favorite, or gain more points on the underdog. Sports bettors pay a fee.  Generally, offered by many sports books.  Generally the team wagered on must win by the point spread you have bought.

Futures - Futures, as the name implies, is a single wager bet on the outcome of a game or event to be held in the future.  Good examples by many sports books are championship games during the season.  Payouts on Futures generally depend on the odds offered by the house for each bet placed at the time the bettor placed his or her bet. 

Props - A proposition bet is a wager involving two or more outcomes not directly related to the final score of an event.  Typically, Props are not allowed to be placed in any type of parlay bet.  Generally, featured Props are usually single bets only.

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