How to Make Money in Sports Betting

Whether you’re an avid sports fan or just starting to bet, sports betting can be an exciting way to make some extra cash. However, before you place your first bet, there are some things you should keep in mind to improve your chances of winning.

The easiest way to make money in sports betting is by finding bets that offer a higher probability of winning than implied by the odds. This is often known as value betting. However, this isn’t a surefire way to win every bet, and even professional sports bettors, known as sharps, lose money sometimes.

Betting on the underdog is another great way to make money in sports. The underdog team or individual has a lower chance of winning, so the payout is usually larger. The opposite is true of the favorite, which has a higher probability of winning.

Another popular bet is the futures wager, which is a bet on an event that will take place in the future. These bets are generally available year-round, and they typically have a longer horizon than standard bets. For example, a bet on a team to win the Super Bowl will only pay off after that event has been completed, meaning it could be months before you receive your winnings.

Smart bettors use context betting to identify results based on the reasons behind them. For example, if a team beats a rival by 30 points, they may be playing well on that day because of their health, injuries, or the type of opposition they faced.