Sports betting is a game of skill. The challenge is to gather and analyze as much information as you can about a game, weigh the probabilities of each team winning, and subsequently compare your opinion to the oddsmaker's opinion. Make the right judgment and you win. It's as simple as that.
While luck may be a deciding factor in the outcome of any single game, and will inevitably go against you on occasion, it will balance out in the long run.
Being a consistent winner in sports betting is not about luck but whether you are prepared to invest the time and effort to become knowledgeable about the sports you bet on, whether you can weigh all the factors in a cool, objective fashion, and whether you adopt a consistent, disciplined, long-term approach to your betting. Do all these and you will come out a winner.
Remember, it's you against the oddsmaker, not the bookmaker. The bookmaker is simply a middle-man who operates on a small profit margin and ideally likes to see half the money wagered on one team and half on the other, assuring him of a profit. If too much of the money goes on one team, the bookmaker will move the line or pointspread to encourage bets on the other team in an effort to balance his book.
The person you are attempting to beat is the oddsmaker and his views on each team's chances. Just by flipping a coin you will be right 50 percent of the time. At odds of 10/11 only 52.4 percent of your bets have to win for you to overcome the bookmaker's profit and break even, so you only need a very small edge to become a winner.
Do your homework, bet selectively and 55 percent winning bets is definitely achievable and 60-65 percent is a realistic target. At those levels you will have an extremely profitable as well as enjoyable hobby.
BASIC TYPES OF SPORTS WAGERING
Straight bet
The most common type of sports wager is on the result of a single game, known as a straight wager. One team is typically favored over another by a pointspread; the favorite gives the underdog points as a head start, for betting purposes only.
The favorite is always indicated by a minus sign (-3) and the underdog by a plus sign (+3). The amount of points a customer must give or take is estimated to be the amount which will generate equal wagering on both the underdog and the favorite.
For betting purposes, the result of the game is determined by taking the actual score and subtracting points from the favorite's score or adding points to the underdog's score. So, a favorite can win the game but lose for betting purposes and an underdog can lose the game but win for betting purposes.
In most straight bets which are set by a pointspread, the customer lays $11 for every $10 the customer wishes to win. For example, the Green Bay Packers may be favored by 7 points over the Chicago Bears. A customer who wishes to win $10 on Green Bay must give Chicago 7.
If Green Bay wins by more than 7 points then the customer wins $10. If Green Bay wins by less than 7 points or loses outright, then the customer loses $11. On the other side, in order for the Chicago bettor to win, Chicago must win the game outright or lose by less than 7 points.
Total bet
A customer can also bet whether the combined number of points or goals scored by the two teams in the game will be over or under the total set by the oddsmaker. For example, if the total is 42 and you believe that the combined points scored by the two teams will exceed that number, you would bet over. You would bet under if you believe the total points score will be less than 42.
Moneyline bet
A bet on a matchup between two teams may be set by a moneyline instead of a pointspread. If a matchup is determined by a moneyline, like Major League Baseball, then it will cost the customer more to wager on the favorite.
For example, the Atlanta Braves are a -150 favorite over the Chicago Cubs. In this example, the customer must lay $150 in order to win $100. If Atlanta loses, the customer loses $150. However, the customer could bet on Chicago, in which case the customer would lay $100 in order to win $140 (10 cent line). If Chicago loses, the customer only loses $100, and if Chicago wins, the customer would win $140.
EXOTIC SPORTS WAGERS
Parlay
A parlay is a bet on two or more teams or selections. The customer can combine different sports, pointspreads and moneylines. In a parlay your original stake and winnings are re-invested on the next game and all selections must be correct - one loss and your parlay loses.
In the event of a push (tie), game cancellation or a pitcher that you have specified not starting, the parlay reduces to the next lower number (e.g. a 4-team parlay becomes a 3-teamer). A winning parlay wager will pay many times more than the initial wager.
Football and basketball pointspread parlay odds:
2 teams |
269/100 |
3 teams |
609/100 |
4 teams |
1109/100 |
5 teams |
2709/100 |
6 teams |
4809/100 |
7 teams |
1009/10 |
8 teams |
2009/10 |
9 teams |
3009/10 |
10 teams |
5009/10 |
Bad Beat Parlays Odds (*)
7 out of 8 |
2009/100 |
8 out of 9 |
3009/100 |
9 out of 10 |
5009/100 |
All Losers Parlays (*)
8 |
2009/100 |
9 |
3009/100 |
10 |
5009/100 |
* Customer must claim when winning on Bad Beat Parlays and All Losers Parlays no later than 24 hrs after the last pick has been graded, when using our Special Team of The Day in Parlays or when your wager is an open Parlay you will not be eligible for Bad Beat Parlays nor All Loser Parlays. These parlay payouts are for basketball and football point spreads and totals only.
CORRELATED PARLAYS RULES
We regret that our software does not prevent players from placing correlated parlays. If we set our system to deny correlated parlays, it will not allow any parlays on those games. We will not honor any correlated parlays. If you place these types of parlays and win, you will not be paid the winnings. Any player not familiar with correlated parlays can contact our wagering department for more information.
The two most common correlated parlays not prevented by the system are:
In football, betting Favorite to Over or Underdog to Under in the same game, half or quarter of a game that has a point spread of 14 points or more.
When betting the point spread to point spread or total to total in different quarters of the same game.
How to calculate baseball parlays
Because of the moneyline used in baseball, there are no set payoffs for tying a number of teams together in parlays.
Payoffs are determined by a simple formula that changes the moneyline into a decimal number and combines it with the other lines in the parlay.
The first step is to change the moneyline into its decimal value.
Use this chart for this purpose:
| -1.05 = .95 |
-1.85 = .54 |
| -1.10 = .91 |
-1.90 = .53 |
| -1.15 = .87 |
-1.95 = .51 |
| -1.20 = .83 |
-2.00 = .50 |
| -125 = .80 |
-2.10 = .48 |
| -1.30 = .77 |
-2.20 = .45 |
| -1.35 = .74 |
-2.30 = .43 |
| -1.40 = .71 |
-2.40 = .42 |
| -1.45 = .69 |
-2.50 = .40 |
| -1.50 = .66 |
-2.60 = .38 |
| -1.55 = .64 |
-2.70 = .37 |
| -1.60 = .62 |
-2.80 = .36 |
| -1.65 = .61 |
-3.00 = .33 |
| -1.70 = .59 |
-3.25 = .31 |
| -1.75 = .57 |
-3.50 = .29 |
| -1.80 = .55 |
- |
For each team you've bet, look at their respective payoffs above and always add $1 to these payoffs.
Multiply your bet with these payoffs (+$1) for your parlay return.
Example: Bet $50 on Cardinals (-150) parlayed to Tigers (-130). Thus,
BET |
x |
CARDINALS |
x |
TIGERS |
= |
RETURN |
| |
|
(-150) |
|
(-130) |
|
|
| $50 |
x |
1.66 |
x |
1.77 |
= |
$146.91 |
* RETURN INCLUDES THE $50 BET
Max Parlay Payout
2 Teams |
Max Payouts |
7/1 |
3 Teams |
Max Payouts |
15/1 |
4 Teams |
Max Payouts |
20/1 |
5 Teams |
Max Payouts |
30/1 |
6 Teams |
Max Payouts |
50/1 |
7 Teams |
Max Payouts |
1009/10 |
8 Teams |
Max Payouts |
2009/10 |
9 Teams |
Max Payouts |
3009/10 |
10 Teams |
Max Payouts |
5009/10 |
Note: Our maximum payoff on any wager (e.g. parlay, future bet, horses, etc.) is $50,000.
Teasers
A teaser is a bet on two or more teams or selections. The difference between a teaser and a parlay is that in a teaser YOU ADJUST (tease) THE LINE IN YOUR FAVOR.
For example, if New York Giants are favored by 7 points in one game and the Chicago Bears are favored by 10 points in a second game. A 6-point, 2-team teaser would adjust the point spread 6 points in the customers favor. Thus, you could make New York favored by 1 point (7-6=1) and Chicago favored by 4 points (10-6=4).
In the case of a tie or push in a 2-team teaser, your wager is refunded (*). Any loss in a teaser constitutes a loss for the entire wager. A tie, or push, in a three or more team teaser will reduce the wager to the next lowest level (e.g. a 6-team teaser with a push becomes a 5-team teaser).
* Not all teasers push on ties; please see the charts below for Teasers were Ties lose.
In baseball teasers, any ties or pushes are considered a loss, and listed pitchers must start. In the event that a listed pitcher fails to start, the teaser will reduce to the next lowest level; on a two-team teaser your wager is refunded.
Football teasers:
NFL or Mixed |
3 Pts |
6 Pts |
6½Pts |
7 Pts |
2 teams |
100/109 |
100/119 |
100/129 |
100/139 |
3 teams |
259/100 |
169/100 |
149/100 |
129/100 |
4 teams |
459/100 |
269/100 |
249/100 |
199/100 |
5 teams |
659/100 |
459/100 |
409/100 |
359/100 |
6 teams |
909/100 |
709/100 |
609/100 |
509/100 |
7 teams |
1509/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
609/100 |
8 teams |
2509/100 |
909/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
9 teams |
4009/100 |
1209/100 |
1009/100 |
909/100 |
10 teams |
6009/100 |
1509/100 |
1309/100 |
1109/100 |
NFL or Mixed |
7½ Pts |
10 Pts |
14 Pts |
17 Pts |
2 teams |
100/149 |
100/309 |
100/529 |
100/999 |
3 teams |
109/100 |
100/129 |
100/269 |
100/509 |
4 teams |
129 /100 |
1/1 |
100/189 |
100/309 |
5 teams |
259/100 |
149/100 |
100/139 |
100/209 |
6 teams |
359/100 |
219/100 |
1/1 |
100/159 |
7 teams |
409/100 |
349/100 |
119/100 |
100/139 |
8 teams |
509/100 |
449/100 |
159/100 |
100/119 |
9 teams |
709/100 |
599/100 |
199/100 |
109/100 |
10 teams |
809/100 |
649/100 |
249/100 |
119/100 |
NFL or Mixed Special* |
21 Pts |
10 teams |
100/299 |
* Ties Lose
** Point Spreads only
NCAA Football |
3 Pts |
6 Pts |
6½ Pts |
7 Pts |
2 teams |
1/1 |
100/109 |
100/119 |
100/129 |
3 teams |
279/100 |
179/100 |
159/100 |
149/100 |
4 teams |
509/100 |
309/100 |
259/100 |
199/100 |
5 teams |
709/100 |
459/100 |
409/100 |
359/100 |
6 teams |
1009/100 |
709/100 |
609/100 |
509/100 |
7 teams |
1509/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
609/100 |
8 teams |
2509/100 |
909/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
9 teams |
4009/100 |
1209/100 |
1009/100 |
909/100 |
10 teams |
6009/100 |
1509/100 |
1309/100 |
1109/100 |
NCAA Football |
7½ Pts |
10 Pts |
14 Pts |
17 Pts |
2 teams |
100/139 |
100/299 |
100/509 |
100/899 |
3 teams |
119/100 |
100/119 |
100/249 |
100/499 |
4 teams |
149/100 |
109/100 |
100/169 |
100/299 |
5 teams |
309/100 |
159/100 |
100/119 |
100/199 |
6 teams |
409/100 |
229/100 |
109/100 |
100/149 |
7 teams |
509/100 |
359/100 |
129/100 |
100/129 |
8 teams |
609/100 |
459/100 |
169/100 |
100/109 |
9 teams |
759/100 |
609/100 |
209/100 |
119/100 |
10 teams |
909/100 |
759/100 |
259/100 |
129/100 |
NCAA Football Special* |
21 Pts |
10 teams ** |
100/259 |
* Ties Lose
** Point Spreads only
Arena Football* |
6 Pts |
6½ Pts |
7 Pts |
2 teams |
100/109 |
100/119 |
100/129 |
3 teams |
149/100 |
129/100 |
109/100 |
4 teams |
199/100 |
179/100 |
159/100 |
5 teams |
409/100 |
309/100 |
259/100 |
6 teams |
509/100 |
409/100 |
309/100 |
7 teams |
609/100 |
509/100 |
409/100 |
8 teams |
909/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
9 teams |
1209/100 |
1009/100 |
909/100 |
10 teams |
1509/100 |
1309/100 |
1109/100 |
* Ties Lose
Arena Football Special* |
7½ Pts |
10 Pts |
14 Pts |
2 teams |
100/139 |
|
|
3 teams ** |
|
100/119 |
|
4 teams ** |
|
|
100/129 |
* Ties Lose
** Only one Total can be use in our 3 and 4 team Special Teasers
Canadian Football* |
6 Pts |
6½ Pts |
7 Pts |
2 teams |
100/109 |
100/119 |
100/129 |
3 teams |
149/100 |
129/100 |
109/100 |
4 teams |
199/100 |
179/100 |
159/100 |
5 teams |
409/100 |
309/100 |
259/100 |
6 teams |
509/100 |
409/100 |
309/100 |
7 teams |
609/100 |
509/100 |
409/100 |
8 teams |
909/100 |
809/100 |
709/100 |
9 teams |
1209/100 |
1009/100 |
909/100 |
10 teams |
1509/100 |
1309/100 |
1109/100 |
* Ties Lose
Canadian Football Special* |
7½ Pts |
10 Pts |
14 Pts |
2 teams |
100/139 |
|
|
3 teams ** |
|
100/119 |
|
4 teams ** |
|
|
100/129 |
* Ties Lose
** Only one Total can be use in our 3 and 4 team Special Teasers
Football Squeezers
NFL or NCAA Football* |
-6 Pts |
-6½ Pts |
-7 Pts |
-7½ Pts |
2 teams |
609/100 |
659/100 |
709/100 |
809/100 |
3 teams |
1709/100 |
1909/100 |
2109/100 |
2609/100 |
4 teams |
4509/100 |
5509/100 |
6309/100 |
8009/100 |
5 teams |
1209/10 |
1509/10 |
1809/10 |
2409/10 |
6 teams |
2509/10 |
3509/10 |
4509/10 |
6509/10 |
* Ties Lose
Basketball Teasers:
Basketball |
4 Pts |
4½ Pts |
5 Pts |
5½ Pts |
2 teams |
100/109 |
100/119 |
100/129 |
100/139 |
3 teams |
179/100 |
159/100 |
149/100 |
129/100 |
4 teams |
299/100 |
249/100 |
199/100 |
169/100 |
5 teams |
449/100 |
399/100 |
349/100 |
279/100 |
6 teams |
699/100 |
599/100 |
499/100 |
399/100 |
7 teams |
999/100 |
899/100 |
759/100 |
559/100 |
8 teams |
1499/100 |
1199/100 |
999/100 |
759/100 |
9 teams |
1999/100 |
1499/100 |
1399/100 |
999/100 |
10 teams |
2799/100 |
2499/100 |
1999/100 |
1499/100 |
Basketball |
6 Pts |
6½ Pts |
7 Pts |
7½ Pts |
2 teams |
100/159 |
100/169 |
100/179 |
100/199 |
3 teams |
109/100 |
100/109 |
100/129 |
100/139 |
4 teams |
139/100 |
139/100 |
119/100 |
109/100 |
5 teams |
199/100 |
219/100 |
199/100 |
169/100 |
6 teams |
359/100 |
329/100 |
279/100 |
229/100 |
7 teams |
459/100 |
399/100 |
359/100 |
309/100 |
8 teams |
659/100 |
599/100 |
509/100 |
409/100 |
9 teams |
859/100 |
799/100 |
609/100 |
509/100 |
10 teams |
1199/100 |
999/100 |
809/100 |
609/100 |
Basketball |
8 Pts |
2 teams |
100/219 |
3 teams |
100/149 |
4 teams |
100/109 |
5 teams |
139/100 |
6 teams |
209/100 |
7 teams |
259/100 |
8 teams |
309/100 |
9 teams |
409/100 |
10 teams |
509/100 |
Basketball Special* |
9 Pts |
10 Pts |
15 Pts |
3 teams ** |
100/159 |
|
|
4 teams ** |
|
100/139 |
|
10 teams ** |
|
|
100/299 |
* Ties Lose
** Point Spread only
Baseball Teasers:
MLB Totals* |
1½ Runs |
2 teams |
100/129 |
3 teams |
149/100 |
4 teams |
209/100 |
5 teams |
409/100 |
6 teams |
509/100 |
7 teams |
609/100 |
8 teams |
709/100 |
9 teams |
809/100 |
10 teams |
909/100 |
* Ties Lose
Props & Futures
A props or future bets are special wagers on unique and various topics. These wagers can be on sporting events, politics, and even trial outcomes. The wagers use the moneyline format of payoff odds and might include who scores the first touchdown in the Super Bowl, who will win the next presidential election, or whether or not O.J. will be found guilty.
Single Action If-Bets (Win Only)
A Single Action If-Bet wager is an excellent choice for money management. As with any if-bet, a series of games is chosen by the player. The player decides the order of action and the amount wagered for each game within the If-Bet at the time the If-Bet is placed. For our purposes here, we'll make the order 1) Game A, 2) Game B, and 3) Game C (a 3-team If-Bet). A wager amount is placed on the first game, Game A in this case. If game A wins, and only wins, the player receives his/her winnings and another fixed wager up to the amount originally wagered on Game A will be placed on Game B. If game B wins, and only wins, the player receives his/her winnings and another fixed wager up to the amount originally wagered on Game B will be placed on Game C. If-Bets can be placed on no more than 3 teams. When one of the teams loses, the wagered amount on that game will be lost and no subsequent games will be played. Using the example from above, if $50 is placed on Game A and the player loses, the $50 will be lost and no action will be granted on Games B or C. If the game pushes or is cancelled, the money will be refunded and all subsequent wagers will be cancelled. You cannot have duplicate teams in the same Single-Action If-Bet.
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
| Broncos -7 Win |
Broncos -7 Win |
Broncos -7 Lose |
| if win |
if win |
if win |
| Falcons -3 Win |
Falcons -3 Lose |
Falcons -3 Win |
| |
|
|
| Stake $110.00 |
Stake $110.00 |
Stake $110.00 |
| Win $200.00 |
Lose $10.00 |
Lose $110.00 |
Double Action If-Bets (Win, Push or Cancel)
A Double Action If-Bet follows the same rules as the Single Action If-Bet except for one important part. If any play within the If-Bet results in a push or cancel, no winnings or losses are given for that particular game and the wager continues to the next game. The money of the pushed/canceled game is refunded and the amount wagered on the next game is placed.
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
| Broncos -7 Win |
Braves -150 Cancelled |
Broncos -7 Tie |
| if win-tie-cancel |
if win-tie-cancel |
if win-tie-cancel |
| Falcons -3 Win |
Falcons -3 Lose |
Falcons -3 Win |
| |
|
|
| Stake $110.00 |
Stake $110.00 |
Stake $110.00 |
| Win $200.00 |
Lose $110.00 |
Lose $110.00 |
NOTE: ALL IF-BETS ARE SINGLE ACTION (WIN ONLY) UNLESS SPECIFIED AS DOUBLE ACTION (WIN, PUSH OR CANCEL).
Action Reverse If-Bets
An Action Reverse If Bet is actually two If-Bets in one, however they share the same series of games. The reverse will follow the same format as normal If-Bets, starting from the top wager placed and continuing down through the series and are also limited to three teams. The difference is that the reverse will also start at the last wager in the series and go in the opposite direction through the sequence of games. Using the chart below, here's how it works:
Example 1: If wager A wins (Broncos -7), the bet goes to wager B (Falcons -3); and if wager B wins, the bet goes to wager A.
Example 2: If wager A wins (Broncos -7), the bet goes to wager B (Falcons-3); and if wager B loses, the bet does not go to wager A (Example 2, Part 2).
Example 3: If wager A loses (Broncos -7), the bet does not go to wager B (Falcons -3); and if wager B wins, the bet goes to wager A.
Example 4: If wager A loses (Broncos -7), the bet does not go to wager B (Falcons -3); and if wager B loses, the bet does not go to wager A.
Standard reverse bets are Double Action; therefore in the event of a tie/rainout/cancellation the bet is still active.
Examples:
| Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
| Broncos -7 -110 Win |
Broncos -7 -110 Win |
Broncos -7 -110 Lose |
| if win |
if win |
if win |
| Falcons -3 -110 Win |
Falcons -3 -110 Lose |
Falcons -3 -110 Lose |
| |
|
|
| Falcons -3 -110 Win |
Falcons -3 -110 Lose |
Falcons -3 -110 Lose |
| if win |
if win |
if win |
| Broncos -7 -110 Win |
Broncos -7 -110 Win |
Broncos -7 -110 Lose |
| |
|
|
| Stake $200 |
Stake $200 |
Stake $200 |
| Win $400 |
Lose $120 |
Lose $220 |
Buying Points
You can move a point spread up to three points in your favor. You must pay an extra 10% for each half point that the line is moved. When buying points on or off the point spread of 3 in Football there is an additional 25% vigorish. (e.g. you risk $135 to win $100). When buying points on or off the point spread of 7 in football there is an additional 15% vigorish. (e.g. you risk $125 to win $100). Points cannot be bought on money lines, first or second half, or propositional wagers.
Round Robins
A Round Robin is a time saving tool for the parlay lover.
A Round Robin is simply a series of parlays. If for example you had eight teams you liked, and wanted to make every combination in a 2-team parlay, you would have to enter 28 two team parlays, or select your eight teams, and click Round Robin by 2's.
You may Round Robin your parlays by 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-team parlays. If you play parlays this is a great shortcut.
Open Spots Parlay / Teaser
Customers my have open spots under the next circumstances:
- Only regular teasers and parlays can have open spots.
- Must fill at least half the total number of selections of the parlay or teaser
| # Teams |
Open Spots |
| 2 |
1 |
| 3 |
1 |
| 4 |
2 |
| 5 |
2 |
| 6 |
3 |
| 7 |
3 |
| 8 |
4 |
| 9 |
4 |
| 10 |
5 |
- The parlay/teaser must be filled in the same week that it was opened, therefore, if a customer opens a parlay/teaser on Monday he must close it by Sunday. If the customer opens a parlay/teaser Sunday morning, he must close it that same Sunday night.
- Very important: all parlay/teaser wagers that do not comply with the closing policy will be dimmed as LOSERS and customers will lose the original risk for the wager.
- There are no limits on how many open parlay/teaser plays a customer can have, as long as they are closed within the same week that they were opened.
|
