Sports betting, once fairly small and offered only to the elite, has exploded into a multi-billion dollar
industry that spans across the world and boasts millions and millions of fans. There are thousands of bookmakers to be found online, hundreds of covered sporting events, and dozens and dozens of various bets that are up for grabs.
Having all of this choice is nothing short of amazing, but it can also be extremely confusing to anyone that’s new to the world of betting and hasn’t quite found their way around. That doesn’t have to be the case, however, as we break down the most popular types of betting available on the market.
Outright Bet
Extremely straightforward and universally beloved, an outright bet, also known as a money line bet, is a simple wager that’s put down on the player or team that the bettor believes will win an event of some kind. These are a dime a dozen, offered by all bookies, and provide an excellent starting point.
Accumulator Bet
An accumulator bet is aimed at those with a bit of experience behind them when it comes to making wagers, and involves choosing more than two picks for a single bet. For example, a bettor may put money down on all games played over an entire football season, and will only win if the outcome from each game of the season is in favour of the bet. If all goes right, it can be an extremely profitable type of wager – but it should be noted that if even a single one of the games does not end in favour of the bet, then the entire thing is lost, so it’s a good idea to go into one well-informed and with some experience.
Teaser Bet
Using the same rules as an accumulator, a teaser sees the bettor choosing two or more picks but also the ability to tweak the points spread or money line of each pick in the favour of the bettor, but this also means that the overall payout can be lower than a regular accumulator. Regardless, it offers the potential of solid winnings by the end, even if they won’t be quite as high.
Prop Bets
Also called special bets, these are seen as more of a fun kind of betting, but they can offer some serious rewards, although most pros will tend to avoid them. These are usually based on certain unpredictable factors of a match, such as which player will score the first goal, or which will earn a card, among a variety of others.
Handicap Bets
Similar in some ways to a money line bet but with some twists, a handicap wager is one where the handicap is placed on the favourite, and the underdog is then given positive odds by the time that the event begins. It’s a very popular type of wager among experienced bettors, and can be extremely lucrative for those that know what they’re doing.