Maybe you’re a pro gambler and want to try something new. Maybe you’ve never gambled before, and you think that sports gambling is the place to start. Either way, you probably have quite a few questions. Sports betting can seem intimidating – it’s quite expansive, as it covers so many sports types as well as methods of betting. But, when you get down to it, it’s actually not that complicated, once you know the basics. Like most types of gambling, luck plays a really big role in it, but you can use previous sports matches to help you get an idea of your odds.

What are odds and lines?

Once you get into the world of sports betting, you’ll likely hear a lot of talk about odds and lines. You may be confused as to what this means. Luckily, it’s not complicated. Odds in gambling refers to exactly what you think – the likelihood of something happening. The higher the odds, the higher the chances of that particular outcome. Lines in sports betting refers to a match being handicapped by a bookmaker. Instead of just betting on the winning team, it depends on the margin by which a team wins or loses. Odds and lines vary depending on a lot of factors, so it’s best to research some of them, such as NBA Vegas odds.

The best sport to bet on

Look, everyone is going to have a different opinion on which sport is the best to bet on. And while it is true that certain sports favor betters more than others, it really comes down to personal preference. You need to try betting on different sports to see what works for you. However, if you’re looking for a starting point, tennis is a good place to start, as it’s quite easy to predict the odds of a tennis match. It’s a good idea to understand basic tennis scoring so that you know what to look for in a betting match.

Is it legal?

This honestly depends on where you live. Most countries don’t have an issue with sports betting, as long as it’s all done above board and ethically. The USA’s ban on sports betting was lifted a few years back, although individual states may still have restrictions. You can learn about UK gambling laws here. The long and short of it is that you need to do research, as with all types of gambling, and make sure that any betting you do is done correctly. 

How much should you bet?

Again, everyone has a different opinion on how much to bet. Again, it’s going to depend on each individual person, so there isn’t one universal answer. That being said, it’s always a good idea to start lower until you get the feel of things. The general consensus seems to be that anything between one and five percent of your money is a good idea. Financial responsibility is an important thing to keep in mind when gambling, so don’t go overboard.