Updated: Mar 3, 2023
Betting has become a lot easier thanks to the growth of the online gambling industry. Major events like the World Cup 2022 produce a lot of betting activity, and you can find many attractive offers at best UK bookmakers. You can now bet on your favourite sports at an online bookmaker from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is select one of the many reputable online bookmakers, create an account, deposit, and start playing. Even though betting at reputable online bookies can be exciting and fun, there is a high chance that you could blindly risk it all. As such, it’s important, especially for a beginner, to know some important tips.
This article provides essential tips for online bookmakers. Keep reading! .
5 Crucial Tips to Know as a New Bettor
As a new bettor, you need to get familiar with many things. So, we’ve carefully outlined 5 things to keep in mind when playing at online bookmakers:
Get familiar with bet types
Regardless of what sport you decide to bet on, there are different bet types you can explore. Below are some of the most popular types of bets every new bettor should note:
Spreads
Spreads is one of the many ways to stake on your preferred team, whether a favourite or an underdog.
A point spread involves betting on the margin of victory. For instance, if you have the Eagles as a -4.5 favourite over the Lions, it means that the Eagles have to win by 5 or more points. However, if you bet on Detroit, you need the Lions to lose the game by 1-4 points or win the game. Point spreads are influenced by the team’s strength and several other factors. They can be found in every sport but are more widespread in sports like basketball and football.
Moneylines
Another way to bet on a favourite or an underdog is the moneyline. Moneyline bets require that you choose a game winner, and American odds are used to determine payouts. For instance, the American odds allow you to win $100. So, if you stake a $ 200 favourite, you’ll need to risk $ 200 to win $ 100. However, if your bet is on the underdog at +200, you’ll win 2x your wager.
Over/Unders (Totals)
Aside from spreads and money lines, online bookmakers also set the total number of points scored by the two teams in a game. This kind of bet is called the total or over/under. Players can bet on whether the game will go over or under the total. Keep in mind that this isn’t you trying to guess the exact score or point.
Understand your bet’s break-even rate
Simply put, the break-even rate is the minimum rate of success in a given wager that would allow you to break even in the long run. When the odds are more favourable than your break-even rate, you have an advantage over the house. If the gap is wide enough, you’ll have a significant advantage. Let’s start with the most elementary of all coin tosses. A bet on the outcome has a 50% chance of winning. Tossing a coin twice, we can expect heads 50% of the time and tails 50% of the time. A reasonable moneyline for such a wager in a sportsbook would be +100: You can win the same amount if you bet $100.
Shop for the best line
Betting lines vary between online bookmakers. You can find a bookmaker that has the Cavs at -8 while another has them at -7.5.
This is why having multiple online bookmakers is a good idea. It enables you to shop for the best line. An extra half-point may not seem like much, but it adds up over time and increases your chances of winning.
Keep track of your bets
Monitor your previous bets and create a new strategy from time to time. When you track your wins and losses, you’ll get a good sense of what you’re doing right and what should change subsequently. This can help you maximise your winnings in the long run.
Bet on sports you understand
When you’re just getting started in the world of sports betting, it’s best to wager on the sports you already have a solid grasp on. Betting on a sport you have some familiarity with will help you make more informed wagers. It’s tempting for a novice bettor to try his or her hand at a wide variety of sports. If you’re a sports bettor and you log into an online sportsbook, you might get a little overexcited at the prospect of placing so many wagers. We recommend waiting to bet on other sports until you’ve mastered sports betting on the ones you’re most familiar with.
Conclusion
New punters need time to understand how sports betting works. The tips we’ve shared here in no way guarantee a steady win each time you bet, but they can guide you on your novel sports betting journey. Only place stakes on games you are passionate about, and opt for a reputable bookmaker each time you bet like those that are recommended by Legalbet.UK, a website that studies bookmakers’ operations.
