Introduction to Sports Betting
Learn how betting works, how to read odds, and how the most common bets are structured. We also point you to our in-depth guides on sportsbooks, state laws, betting terms, and more.
Learn how betting works, how to read odds, and how the most common bets are structured. We also point you to our in-depth guides on sportsbooks, state laws, betting terms, and more.
Sports betting is a wager on the outcome or performance of a sporting event. Bets can be placed on the winner of a game, the margin of victory, the total number of points scored, and many other outcomes.
The legal sports betting market in the U.S. has changed significantly since the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on state-authorized sports betting in 2018. Today, the rules, available sportsbooks, and types of betting offered vary from state to state.
The sections below cover the basic types of bets, how betting odds work, and where to find more detailed information on sports betting.
You must meet the legal age requirement and be physically located in a state where the type of sports betting you want to use is permitted. See our Terms & Conditions and Responsible Gambling for more information.
Sports betting is legal in a growing number of U.S. states, but the rules differ from one state to another. Some states allow online and mobile betting, while others limit wagering to retail sportsbooks or have not legalized sports betting at all.
Our state betting guides explain the rules, available sportsbooks, and betting options in each market.
Sportsbooks offer several different ways to bet on a game or event. The most common wagers are the moneyline, point spread, and over/under, while parlays and other bet types give bettors additional options.
Understanding these basic bets makes it easier to read a sportsbook's betting board and compare the options available.
A point spread gives one team an advantage or disadvantage for betting purposes. The favorite must win by more than the posted spread for a spread bet on that team to win. A bet on the underdog wins if the underdog stays within the spread or wins the game outright.
Read More about Point Spread Betting
Against-the-spread (ATS) betting means wagering on whether a team will cover the point spread set by the sportsbook.
Read More About Against The Spread
A moneyline bet is simply a wager on who will win the game or event. There is no point spread involved. The odds show the potential return on the wager and reflect the sportsbook's assessment of each side's chances.
Read More about Moneyline betting
An over/under, also called a total, is a bet on the combined score of a game. The sportsbook sets a number, and the bettor chooses whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number.
Read More About Over/Under Betting
Betting odds show the potential payout for a wager. In the U.S., sportsbooks generally display odds in American format, such as -110 or +150. Understanding those numbers is essential for comparing bets and knowing how much a wager could return.
A parlay combines two or more individual bets into a single wager. Every selection must win for the parlay to pay out. Adding more selections increases the potential payout, but it also makes the overall bet less likely to win.
Read More About Parlay Betting
A teaser allows bettors to adjust the point spreads or totals in multiple games in exchange for a lower potential payout. Teasers are most commonly associated with football and basketball.
Read More About Teaser Betting
A pleaser is similar to a teaser but moves the betting line in the opposite direction, giving the bettor less favorable odds in exchange for a higher potential payout.
Read More About Pleaser Betting
Sports bets are placed through licensed sportsbooks, either online, through mobile apps, or at retail locations where permitted. The sportsbooks available to you depend on the state where you are located.
ATS reviews sportsbooks based on factors such as betting options, odds, usability, features, and promotions. Visit our sportsbook reviews to compare the options available in your market.
In alphabetical order
Availability varies by state, so the best option for one bettor may not be available to another. Our sportsbook reviews provide a closer look at the major operators and what each one offers.
Look up common betting terms and concepts.
Find information on legal betting, sportsbooks, and regulations in your state.
Compare the major sportsbooks and learn what each one offers.
Follow ATS analysis, predictions, and picks across the major sports.
Sports betting should be treated as entertainment, not a source of income. Set a budget, understand the risks, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.