Sports Betting - Getting Started

Sports Betting Tips

#1 Sports Betting - Manage your finances

The first tip and arguably the most important tip of sports betting or any betting, is to ensure that you can afford to possibly lose the money you wager.

#2 of Sports Betting - Do your homework

Follow and research your favoured sport. Having expert knowledge of a specific sport/field will place you in a better position than having a good knowledge of a wide range of sports.

#3 of Sports Betting - Shopping for Numbers

Shop for the best number, a little (for lack of a better term) “Retail Therapy” is always a good thing. You are likely to find more differences in the numbers at various sports books regarding different sports.

#4 of Sports Betting - Examine the Odds

Take some time out to do some research on your usual sports book of choice. When betting large sums of money the difference in the odds can seriously affect the payout. Again do your research and manage the odds effectively.

#5 of Sports Betting – Timing

Timing is widely considered as an extremely important aspect when betting. If you’re placing a wager with a favourite, it is best practice to place the bet sooner rather than later.

#6 of Sports Betting – NEVER bet whilst under the influence.

Alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions and can seriously affect your decision making skills, and thus can lead to a punter betting a large amount of money on something they would not usually bet on whilst sober.

Sports Betting Terms

A:
All In - A bet where all of the bank is staked. All Out - When a horse gives its utmost effort. Ante Post Betting - Is when betting that takes place well in advance of an event. This includes all possible participants. Arber - Arbitrage betting is a system where two or more bookmakers are used for exploiting differentials in odds for a specific market.
B:
Banker - Is a term used when a bet is considered to be a near certainty. Bar - The shortest of the odds not mentioned in a betting forecast. Betfair Commission - A small percentage of winnings the company takes for providing their service. Bottle - A term used in the betting ring for 2/1. Burlington Bertie - A term used in the betting ring for 100/30.
C:
Carpet - British slang for Odds of 3 to 1. Chalk - The considered favorite. Closing Line - The finalised list of point spreads offered before the end of the game. Combination Bet - Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish either first and/or second.
D:
Dead Hit - Finishing equal. Both sides/teams etc. win. Dime - $1000.00 sports betting wager. Dog - A term used to describe the "Underdog".
E:
Edge - Finishing equal. Both sides/teams etc. win. Exposure - The amount of money a punter stands to lose on a game.
F:
Favourite - The person competing in any given contest that is considered to have the best chance to win the contest. First half bet - A term used when a bet is placed only on the first half of the game. Forecast - Is a wager that involves the correct prediction of the 1st and 2nd for a particular sporting event. Form - the "Form" is the expected performance of contestants/teams according to how well they look on paper.
G:
Going Down - Losing a wager or a series of wagers. Gross Win - The gross winnings before expenses.
H:
Half time bet - is a bet placed solely on the second half of the game. Handicapping - is the attempt to predict the outcome of sporting events. Handle - Is the total amount of bets taken. Hold - The percentage the house wins.
I:
In The Red - Odds on. Index Betting - Spread Betting.
J:
Joint Favorites - When two teams may both be joint favorites and a sportsbook or bookmaker cannot split them for favoritism. Jolly - A Bookmakers slang for the 'Favourite'.
L:
Lay The Points - During a point spread contest this is a wager on a favorite. Limit - The "Limit" is the maximum bet accepted by the house before the price is changed. Line - In sports betting this is the current odds or point spread on a specific event. Longshot - Huge underdog.
M:
Middle - is when both sides of a game have been won. Moneyline - The amount a punter must bet to win 100 or the amount the punter will win if he/she bets 100.
N:
Neutral Site - A specific sporting Arena, court or field where neither side has a home field advantage. Nickel - A "Nickel" is a $500.00 wager. No action - A wager in which money is neither lost nor won.
O:
Odds - This is the the likelihood of the outcome occurring, stated in numbers form. Off The Board - is a game or sporting event where no bets are being accepted. Opening Line - The earliest line posted for a particular sporting event.
P:
Past Post - is the placing of a bet after an event has started. Pick 'em - When neither team is favoured. Picks - Are betting selections which are usually made by an expert. Power Rating - The strength of a team in comparison to another team. Press - To place a bet of a larger amount than usual. Punter - Player, bettor or gambler.
R:
Return - A punters total winnings on a bet. Runner - In sports betting a "Runner" is one who places bets for another.
S:
Score - To win a large sum of money. Scratch - Is to withdraw and/or cancel a wager. Sharp - Refers to a professional gambler. Single - A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet. Sports book - A person or company that accepts bets. Stake - A stake is the amount of money wagered on a specific event.
T:
Take A Price - Is a wager on the underdog during a moneyline contest. Ticket - Refers to a sports betting wager. Trends - Using the history of a specific team to predict the future outcome of that particular team.