Sports Betting Types

Points spread and asian handicaps have their own page.

There are many betting types to choose from when placing a wager. From singles to multiples, we have a list of some of the most popular types of bet. Betting Types Single. Arguably the most common betting type. A straight win bet, placed on a single event. A single bet on two outcomes in different events. There are dozens of different sports betting markets offered at online sportsbooks these days. Some of the most popular ones in the USA include spread betting, moneyline betting, over/under betting.

Money line

Money line, also called:

  • Head to head.
  • Match odds.
  • Result.
  • Winner.
  • 2 way (if a draw is not possible).
  • 3 way (if a draw is possible).
  • 1×2

Is simply betting on the outcome of a game. Will the home team win or will the away team win?

In some sports also included the option for a draw which is sometimes referred to as a 3 way, or 1X2.

Draw no bet

Sports Betting Types

A draw no bet market is betting on the result of a game by choosing which team will win. A draw means the bet is canceled and your stake is refunded.

Draw no bet is a popular option for games like soccer and cricket where draws are common. This bet type is not offered on games like basketball or baseball where there can be no draw due to overtime.

Totals over/under

Totals over/under (sometime written as “+/-“) is betting whether the total amount of points scored in a game will be over or under a given number. For example, in an NBA game will there be over 191.5 points scored or under 191.5 points scored?

This can be an exciting bet because it keeps the interest going right till the end of the game even if the game is not close.

You will normally be betting over or under a number of points with a .5, called a “hook”. This is to eliminate the possibility of a draw. If a sportsbook took bets on over or under 191 points being scored, and exactly 191 points were scored, they would have to refund all the bets, this is called a “push”. But there can never be 191.5 points scored so points totals with a hook can never end in a draw.

When the over/under total points number represents the market’s view of exactly how many points will be scored the odds are 50:50 or pick’em. That is to say the same for over as for under, for example

Betting On Sports Games

Bet selectionOdds
Over 191.5 points1.95
Under 19.5 points1.95

The same bet type can work for over/under anything you can count, not just the score. For example will there be over or under 4.5 quarterback sacks in an NFL game.

Futures markets for tournament or season winner

Sports Betting Types

Futures refers to betting on the overall winner of a season or tournament. New bettors are attracted to these markets because they provide interest for the duration of the season. People think there would be less variance because although the best team can lose on any given day, over the course of a season the cream should rise to the top.

This is a classic rookie mistake. If you think a selection will win something that involves them winning a number of individual games, you are better off to back them in individual games with a staking plan. Futures markets have higher sportsbook’s overround which means less value for you.

If you are right about that team being the eventual champions you have found an edge. Betting on individual games gives you more chances to take advantage of your edge and to apply a staking plan to it.

Sports

This is true for leagues as well as knock out tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or a tennis grand slam. The same applies for “Tournament Goals Per Team” or “Total Tournament Red Cards” or any futures bet where you can bet on the same thing in individual games.

Sports Betting Types

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Sports Betting Websites

Research

Interactive Map: Sports Betting in the U.S.

Sports Betting Types Of Wagers

AGA’s interactive sports betting map provides state-level detail on the types of wagering allowed, key regulatory details, legal retail sportsbooks and online/mobile, and more.

  • Sports betting activity

    • Live, Legal* (20 States + DC)

    • Legal - Not Yet Operational (5 States)

    • Active or Pre-Filed Legislation in 2021 (14 States)

  • Inactive sports betting

    • No Legislation in 2021 (11 States)
    • Dead Legislation in 2021 (0 States)

Legal Landscape as of February 2, 2021

“Live, Legal” denotes states where single-game sports betting is legally offered to consumers through retail and/or online sportsbooks. States classified as “Legal – Not Yet Operational” have authorized sports betting, but have yet to launch. “Active or Pre-Filed Legislation” denotes jurisdictions where bills to legalize single-game sports betting have been pre-filed/introduced in the state legislature or where a voter referendum is scheduled. Sports betting provisions, revenue, and location data are sourced from state regulatory agencies.

  • Sports betting activity

    • Live, Legal* (20 States + DC)

    • Legal - Not Yet Operational (5 States)

    • Active or Pre-Filed Legislation in 2021 (14 States)

  • Inactive sports betting

    • No Legislation in 2021 (11 States)
    • Dead Legislation in 2021 (0 States)
Betting

Legal Landscape as of February 2, 2021