If you’re a beginner and are looking to bet on sports, there are several tips to follow to make your first bets successful. In general, you should choose a team that has a good chance of winning the game. This team has better odds and will have a smaller payoff, but you’ll take less risk. In addition, players who have a strong chance of winning will have higher odds and lower payoffs.
During the preseason, the odds of winning a game depend on the spread. The spread is the total score that sportsbooks predict a team will win a game by. If the Patriots are the underdog, the over-under score will be higher. On the other hand, if the Patriots are the underdog, they can lose by three points and still win. The spread will vary depending on the team’s record and their overall performance.
Then, there are futures wagers. Futures wagers are placed on events that will take place later. For example, if you bet on the Rams to win the Super Bowl, you’d be placing a futures wager. The Rams were 11/1 when the season began, and they’re now 4/1. A futures bet is also a good bet for a season-long win total. If your team loses a game, it could still win the championship if you bet on Team B + Team C.
If you’re a first-time bettors, you can try betting on an unpopular team with a low point spread. While this might sound tempting, you can’t afford to risk it. But remember that the money you win will go towards paying off your bets, so don’t take risks. You’ll end up losing more money than you put in. Instead, stick with a strategy that has a higher chance of winning.