Online Sports Betting for Beginners

Sports betting is one of the most prestigious things to bet on when gambling online. However, you don't need to be an experienced bettor (or punter) to bet on sports, and you only need to know a few basics to get started. We offer this comprehensive guide to get you betting in no time at all.

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Overview

Sports betting has become one of the favourite things for bettors worldwide, and you may wonder if it is worth it. You may not know this, but sports betting has developed into a massive, multibillion-dollar betting industry, and many gamblers got very rich from betting on sports. 

Sports betting is as popular as drinking beer in many countries, and you are the odd one out if you are not a seasoned punter. But where to start? Read on to find out if sports betting is for you. 

Why You Should Bet on Sports

Sports worldwide is a popular event to watch and is often the primary topic of conversation at social gatherings or formal functions. There is always a debate about who will win the next big sports event, so why not bet on the outcome and win while you are at it?

You should know enough to wager on sports if you enjoy watching sports. Knowing the sport, teams and players is a good foundation for becoming a good sports bettor. You can always learn what you don't know, and luckily, there are many ways to get informed about a ‌game's outcome to increase your chances of a winning bet. 

You may be good at predicting the outcome of a winner in a match or have a good eye on the winner. If that's the case, ‌try your luck with sports gambling. Sports betting has less to do with luck and more to do with knowledge. The more you know, the luckier you'll get. 

Maybe you need a new betting platform and have grown tired of the usual casino games. Sports betting is exciting, social, and very satisfying. As a gambler, you should try it.

Betting On Sports Online

There is no need to go further than your PC or mobile device to bet on sports. It would be best to choose a good bookmaker online, and you are halfway there. We recommend the best sportsbooks that offer good odds and a wide variety of markets. All our listed bookmakers are safe, licensed and regulated. 

Like most other casino sites, bookmakers want to reward their loyal customers. So most bookies will give you added value, special offers, promotional offers and bonuses to make your dollar stretch further. Find a bookie that adds value, has extra features, and suits your style. 

Make sure that sports betting is legal in your place of residence, as some countries, states, and regions outlaw online betting. 

If all of this still sounds too unfamiliar to you, don't worry. We dive in deeper to guide you through the process, teach you the basics, and answer your most frequently asked questions.

Sports Events Betting

Most Popular Sports Events to Bet On: There are many sports types available to bet on, and today, you can even bet on novelties, politics, or the outcome of the Grammys! Here is our recommended list of sports betting events we think you should focus on: 

  • NRL
  • AFL
  • Soccer
  • NBA
  • UFC
  • Tennis
  • Cricket
  • Esports
  • Politics

Sports Betting Odds

When you bet on sports, understand what "odds" means. In sports betting, you will come across plus (+) and minus (-) signs and knowing what it represents can make the difference between a win or a loss.
Betting odds represent the probability of the outcome of an event and therefore enable you to work out how much money you will win if your bet wins. They usually show this on your betting slip before confirming your bet on a specific market.

They show odds in ratios and decimals, so read up about it and practice as much as you can. Look at spread betting and how it works - this will allow you to make better betting decisions.

Understanding and looking at the spread will help determine if a game has good or bad odds. The plus (+) sign means that the team is the underdog, while a minus (-) sign indicates the team is the favourite. For example, if the spread is seven points for a game, the underdog gets seven points, and it displays as +7 at the odds. Conversely, a team posted at -7 is the favourite and is laying seven points, and therefore the more likely team to win.


Mobile Sports Betting

Betting on the go is no longer a luxury but a necessary benefit all punters want to utilize. Most significant sportsbooks have their dedicated mobile app, and you can find a download link for either iOS or Android devices on the website. Should you prefer not to install another app, you can use your mobile browser to log into your account and bet as you would on the website.

Most sports betting mobile apps mirror the website version, with a few extra features and benefits. Try betting on your mobile, and you may never want to bet any other way!

The mobile app should have a smooth interface with an easily navigated layout. A seamless design is vital as your experience needs to be hassle-free and quick. Mobile apps also need to be accessible to Android and iOS platforms and be equally easy to use on a PC, tablet or smartphone.


Popular Terms

We have listed the most commonly used terms in sports betting to help you find your feet fast to make it easier for you. Contrary to casino games, sports betting has different meanings for common words, and it doesn't mean what you think! Be sure to understand the following terms: 

  • Punter: A synonym for bettor/sports enthusiast/gambler.
  • Market: In sports betting, you do not bet on games; you bet on markets. 
  • Player: The team member in a particular sports match.
  • Game: Refers to the game that the players play. 
  • Betting Slip: This will appear as soon as you have placed a bet. 
  • Multi Bets: Betting on multiple markets at the same time.
  • In-Play Bet: A betting term where you place a bet while the game is still being played. 
  • Bookmaker: This is the term used to describe the sports betting site (or brand) you choose. 

Terms & Conditions

It is essential to know the terms of use with sports betting, and each sport comes with its own sets of rules. We have listed the most common T&Cs below: 

  • Punters must be 19 years and older to bet on sports.
  • In addition, you need to understand and accept the site's privacy policy & sports betting rules.
  • It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the legislation & gambling regulation in your area of residence. 
  • All bets need to be closed (or settled) on your betting slip before you can make a withdrawal.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Follow sports and bet real money as you watch
An enormous variety of sports markets to choose from
Bet on events, leagues, and major tournaments
Bet on local or international events
Enlarge your betting portfolio
Cons
As a beginner, you need to do some homework first
Lack of knowledge may cause a loss

Tips

Betting smart is vital, and we believe that these tips will help you place a more successful wager, no matter which sport you choose. Here's how you can get more value for your money, especially in the long run.

Getting Started

As a beginner, you may need some guidance to start. Here is our step-by-step guide to ease you into betting on sports:

1 Sign Up With Your Preferred Bookmaker

A bookmaker is a term used for a betting site that offers sports to bet on, and Bookie or Sportsbook is also the same thing. Always choose from recommended sites as all our bookies have licences, are regulated and are safe. Click on the registration link to get started.

2 Fund Your Betting Account

You will find a variety of payment methods to make your first deposit. Typically, you will find options like Visa & MasterCard (credit/debit cards), e-wallet options, or EFT options to fund your betting account. Make sure that you choose a method that does not influence your bonus offer.

3 Claim Your Bonus Offer

Most bookies give you fantastic welcome bonuses with your first deposit, so choose wisely. There are rules and T&Cs, so read those carefully before committing to a bonus offer you cannot fulfil.

4 Choose a Sport

Depending on your knowledge or interest, you can choose a sport from a massive variety on any sports betting site. Cricket, basketball, football, tennis, rugby, soccer, snooker, darts, and table tennis are all available. Try your luck with the outcome of the next American Presidential Election! Yes, you can bet on that too!

5 Select a Market

Markets are sections of bets you place on a sport you choose. It may be for a specific match, event, or tournament. Look at the odds to determine the best outcome for the type of bet you are placing. Each sport type has hundreds of markets, so take your time and choose the right one for you.

6 Decide on a Betting Type

We have listed several betting types for you. Here is where you will pick your betting type. As you place your bet, you will see a betting slip appear with the wager info and, usually, an amount of the outcome of a winning bet.

7 Place Your Bet

Now that you have followed all the steps, the last thing to do is to confirm your bet. Then, wait for the outcome and (hopefully) collect your winnings!

Terminology

It's easy to feel lost if you are new to sports betting, especially if you are unsure what specific terminology means. But don't worry; we've got you covered on all the lingo you need to learn. Please refer to our glossary section for the more complicated jargon in sports betting.

Learn more

Sports Betting Types

When you bet on sports, the key is to know a combination of a few factors - your sport, the odds and the type of bet that works for you in terms of what you can ‌afford to lose. Many betting types may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Before you lose hope, let's ‌look at the most common betting types and what they mean:

Parlay Bets

An accumulator (or Acca), combo bet or multi bet. A single bet links two or more individual bets and depends on those wagers winning together. Try to avoid this type of bet, as the downside is that if any of the stakes in the parlay lose, the entire parlay is lost, and you walk away with nothing.

Flat Stakes

This is when you are betting the same amount on every game, regardless of your confidence level. Flat betting puts you in the best position to stay in the game long term.

Matched Betting

This betting strategy is ‌considered risk-free, as all ‌outcomes get covered by a bookmaker and a betting exchange simultaneously.

Arbitrage Betting

Arbitrage betting involves placing bets on every ‌outcome of an event to lock in a guaranteed profit. More simply put, it results from different sportsbooks offering different odds in the same event.

Spread Betting

This type of betting is a very common bet in football and basketball games but is found in other sports. Look at our section below on odds to better understand this popular betting type.

FAQ

Sports betting is another form of gambling and entails placing a bet on the outcome of a sports event. There are only two outcomes with sports betting: either you profit based on the bookmaker odds or lose your wager in full.

The term "bookmaker" is also loosely referred to as a "bookie," but the word "sportsbook" or "betting agency" are both synonyms. They provide a betting exchange for customers, which are marketplaces where they set odds.

The person who places a bet is called a "punter", "better", or "betting fan". In easy terms, this is the gambler who places the bet.

Many popular betting sites offer markets for sports bets. Please refer to our list of popular sports betting sites to find a reputable and safe sports betting site.

If you are placing a bet on the outcome of a sports event, they say you are backing that outcome. In sports, you generally have an option of only two teams.

If you bet against an outcome, it is called a lay bet. For example, if you lay a bet against Lewis Hamilton to win the Formula 1 race, your lay bet wins if anyone except Hamilton wins, and you lose if Hamilton wins the F1 race.

After choosing a bookmaker to sign up with, you need to complete the registration process to place your bets. So be sure to choose a licenced and registered bookmaker to bet with peace of mind.

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