Many people call this a 'straight bet.' However, this term can also be used, and is printed on tickets for, money line bets, total bets, and any other bet involving just one game. Despite it being probably the most popular way to bet, there is no particular term for a bet against the spread. Vikings above, the sports books have come up with the 'point spread.'īefore I go on, let me clarify some terminology. To achieve about a 50/50 chance of winning a bet on a lopsided game, like the Rams vs. More than that and you won't win much if you do win. Most sports bettors like a wager that has about a 50% chance to win. The most common way to bet football and basketball is with a point spread. A $600 bet on the Vikings would win $100.The -600 on the Vikings means that if you bet them, then you have to lay 6 to 1. The +400 for the Rams means that a bet on the Rams would pay 4 to 1. If you want to bet the favorite, then you will have to risk more than what you stand to win.Ĭonsider game numbers 401 and 402 in the example above. So, if you bet the underdog, then you're rewarded with more than even money if they win. Most of the time, one team will be favored over the other. Money Line bets are simply on whom will win. So, for example, if you must bet $11 to win $10, then you would present $11 at the window and the writer will give you a ticket worth $21 if it wins.

In other words, you always get your bet back, plus winnings, if you win. In all sports betting, the odds are on a 'to one' basis.

$100 4 to 5 odds winning