Beginners' Guide to Online Sports Betting

Betting sports is one of the most exciting activities available to you when gambling online. The good news is, you don't need to have a massive experience to get involved. Learning a few basics will get you on the right track, and our extensive betting guide will help get you started with no hassle.

Top Pick
Approved Approved
Hot
bet365 Sports
9.7

50% Match Bonus up to R$500

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
Registre-se na bet365, deposite R$30* ou mais na sua conta e você se qualificará a 50% deste valor em Créditos de Aposta (até R$500*) quando fizer apostas qualificativas no valor de 12 vezes o seu depósito qualificativo e estas forem resolvidas. Apenas para novos clientes. São aplicados T&Cs.

Full T&C apply
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Benefits

Excellent reputation since its establishment.

in-play betting of popular matches.

Live chat, email, and phone options for customer support.

Payments by PayPal are available.

The in-play betting section includes a live video stream of popular matches.

Flawless mobile gameplay.

Payment Methods
2
Approved Approved
10bet Sportsbook
9.5

50% Match Bonus up to £50

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms;

Full T&C apply
Payout Speed
2 - 3 Days
Benefits

Fun virtual sports betting section.

24/7 phone support.

Variety of withdrawal Options available.

Good live streaming options included in the in-play betting section.

Mobile-friendly with an optimized site version.

SSL encrypted security.

Payment Methods
3
Approved Approved
Hot
NetBet Sports
9.5

100% Match Bonus up to £10

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
The following conditions have come into effect on 0/11/2022 until 1st April 2023. Min odds 1/2 (1.50). Customers will be awarded £10 Free Bet. Customers qualify for the Free Bet once their first £10 qualifying bets on Sports have been placed and settled on the account. Customers must place a qualifying bet within 30 days of registration. Free bet will be credited to the account within 24 hours of the qualifying bet settling. Free Bet is valid for 7 days. Bets placed with free bet tokens or bonus funds will not qualify. Deposit methods NETELLER, PayPal and Skrill are not eligible for this promotion. Only customers from the Uk can take part in this Welcome Offer.

Full T&C apply
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Benefits

Good selection of virtual sports games.

24/7 customer support by live chat.

Banking can be done by using PayPal.

Fully Instant Play - No Download Needed.

Flawless mobile gameplay.

A very secure place to play.

Payment Methods
4
bwin Sports
9.4
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Payment Methods

100% Match Bonus up to €50

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
5
LeoVegas Sports
9.2
Payout Speed
1 - 2 Days
Payment Methods

Visit the site for the latest promotions

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
6
Approved Approved
Betfred Sport
8.9
Payout Speed
3 - 4 Days
Payment Methods

Visit the site for the latest promotions

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
7
William Hill Sports
8.5
Payout Speed
2 - 4 Days
Payment Methods

300% Match Bonus up to £30

New players only, T&C apply, 18+, Begambleaware.org
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad

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In This Guide

Sports

Overview

In recent years, sports betting has become hugely popular among players all over the globe. The activity has grown into a massive industry, and those with the experience and know-how have managed to turn it into a profitable activity. But is it worth it your time, and is this something you should consider?

In many places, betting is just as popular as other casual activities, such as watching sports or grabbing a drink with your friends. If you don't know much about it, you could feel like the odd one out in the group. If this is the case, read on and learn all you need to know about betting sports.

Why Bet on Sports at All

People worldwide enjoy watching different sports, and major sporting events are often the main topic of conversation in social settings and even during more formal occasions. To make things more exciting, people will often back their predictions by placing a wager on the outcome they expect to come true.

If you're a fan of a particular sport, you should already have enough information to place reasonable wagers. Knowing about teams, players, and their performance is a very good start. Those things you don't know, you can learn along the way. In this day and age, you can easily access many resources free of charge and without even leaving your home.

Sports betting might be your thing if you have a good instinct for predicting winners at sporting events. While luck plays a role, betting is more about knowledge and instincts. The fact is, the more information you have and the better you use that information, the better your results will be.

For those who like gambling in general but have grown tired of traditional casino games, betting sports can be a fun way to try something different while getting the same level of excitement and enjoyment out of it.

Online Sports Betting

Another thing that sports betting has going for it is the fact you don't need to go out to place your bets. All you need is your phone or PC. You can find plenty of reliable bookies online that will let you bet from the comfort of your living room. On our site, you can find recommended betting sites that offer a great selection of betting markets, competitive odds, bonuses, and more - all in a completely safe and fully regulated environment.

On top of this, online bookies will also shower you with ongoing bonuses and promotions to make you feel welcome and keep you around. These promotions can add a lot of value to your betting experience, so make sure to find a site that offers plenty of extra value and fits your general preferences.

It's also important to make sure betting is legal in your country. There are different laws in different places worldwide, so do some research before diving in.

This may sound daunting if you're a beginner, but there is nothing to worry about. In this guide, we offer extensive explanations and provide you with all the information to help you get over the initial hurdles and get on with the program.

Betting on Sporting Events

Modern bookies give you an opportunity to bet on dozens of different sports. On top of this, you can also place wagers on various contemporary events, such as elections, film and music awards, and much more. To begin with, these are our top picks:

  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • NBA
  • NRL
  • Cricket
  • AFL
  • Politics
  • Esports

Sports Betting Odds

If you want to bet on sports, the first thing you need to understand is the "odds." Learning what betting odds are, what they stand for, and how they work is the most important step for any new punter.

Simply put, betting odds indicate the probability of a certain outcome happening. Looking at the odds, you can calculate how much money you stand to win should you make the right pick. You'll always see the odds displayed on your betting slip so you'll have all the information you need before placing the bet.

Different bookies display odds in different ways. Sometimes they're shown as decimals, sometimes as ratios. Another very common way is using the spread, and you should look this up and learn it before risking any money.

Checking out the spread on a particular event will give you an idea of whether the offered odds are good or bad. When there is a minu(-) sign in front of a team or a player, this means they're favorites. The plus (+) sign indicates that the team is considered an underdog by the bookmaker.

For example, if the spread is set at ten points, it means that the underdog gets +10, i.e. ten points. Likewise, the favorite team is -10, which means they're laying 10 points.


Betting on the Go via Mobile

Long gone are the days when betting on your phone was a luxury. Today, this is something most punters expect, and all top-tier bookmakers offer dedicated betting apps for Android and iOS. As an alternative for those who prefer not to install the apps, most bookmakers also offer mobile versions of their websites, which work equally as well.

The apps themselves offer all the functionalities found on the site, alongside a few special perks. For this reason, many punters bet almost exclusively on their phones.

In general, a mobile betting app should provide a user-friendly interface with easy navigation and smooth, quick-to-load graphics. Punters need to have access to their accounts across all different device types and enjoy all the functionalities of the bookmaker regardless of what option they choose for their betting activities.


Important Betting Terms

Like any other popular activity, sports betting has its own vocabulary. There are certain terms you're bound to encounter when betting online, and they don't always mean what you might think. So, to help you along, we put together the list of the most popular betting terms:

  • Market: One of many options available to bet on in a certain sport, such as the goals total.
  • Betting Slip: An electronic slip containing all of your active bets.
  • Player: A member of the team competing in a match or an event.
  • Punter: Another word for a bettor or a gambler.
  • Game: A synonym for a match, i.e. a soccer game or a tennis game.
  • In-Play Bet: Placing bets while a match is ongoing.
  • Mulit Bets: Placing wagers on multiple markets simultaneously.
  • Bookmaker: An operator accepting sports bets, a sports betting site.

Terms & Conditions

Another important thing you should pay attention to when betting online is terms and conditions. Every bookmaker has its own set of terms, and there are often specific conditions covering bets on particular sports and/or betting markets:

  • All bettors must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must read, understand, and accept particular bookmaker's betting rules and privacy terms before being allowed to bet with them.
  • It is solely your responsibility to know your local laws & regulations regarding sports betting and gambling in general.
  • Most bookies will only let you make a withdrawal once all outstanding bets on your active slips have been settled.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Keep up with the sports you like and place wagers in real-time
A huge number of different betting market at your disposal
Bet on interesting matches, big events, and various tournaments
Place bets on a variety of international and local events
Grow your betting profile
Cons
As a new punter, you first need to do some studying
Lack of information can lead to losing bets

Top Betting Tips

It is essential to be smart and calculated when placing your bets. Below, we are sharing some useful tips that will help you achieve better results regardless of what sports and markets you choose to bet on. Follow these tips to ensure better results in the long run.

How to Get Started

If you're new to betting sports, you might need some advice to get you started. Check out our step-by-step beginner's guide to help you make your first steps.

1 Open an Account With Your Preferred Bookmaker

The first thing you need to do is register with a bookmaker, i.e. a sports betting site of your choice. Use our list of recommended bookmakers to make your pick as all the sites on the list are safe and fully licensed operators. To start, click the registration link, and then follow the steps.

2 Deposit Funds into Your Account

To place bets, you will first need to get some money into your account. Most bookmakers accept a variety of deposit options, such as popular debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and more. Pick an option that is the most convenient for you, but also make sure that your pick does not influence your ability to claim the welcome bonus.

3 Make Sure to Take Your Bonus Offer

You will find that most bookmakers give you a great welcome bonus to get you started. Find the best offer for you and sign up with the site that has the bonus offer that you like the most. Before betting, make sure you know all the important terms and conditions connected to the offer.

4 Pick a Sport to Bet On

You will find a great variety of sports to bet on with reputable bookies, from soccer, tennis, and basketball, over cricket, snooker, and chess, to even things like Presidential Election. When deciding what sport to bet on, pick the one that you have the most knowledge on, as this will give you the best chances of placing winning bets.

5 Choose Your Preferred Betting Market

Markets are specific subsections you can bet on within a particular sport, event, or individual match. There are dozens and even hundreds of different markets on offer, so take your time, compare the odds, and figure out what bets look more promising. Only once you have done all this and made your picks should you place your real money wager.

6 Pick the Best Betting Type

As we explained earlier, there are different types of bets available to you. Choose the one you are the most comfortable with to start betting. As you do, your selections will start to appear on your betting slip, alongside odds and potential winnings. Keep in mind that you can edit your slip for as long as you do not actually place the bet.

7 Place Your Bet

Finally, after following all these steps, you are ready to place your bet. Confirm your selections and wait for the results of your selected matches and events to see if you have a winner on your hands.

Sports Betting Terminology

As a newbie, it is easy to get confused and lost in all the different sports betting terms that you are not familiar with. The good news is that we have you covered. Check out our extensive sports betting glossary and learn about all the different popular terms you will likely come across when betting sports.

Learn more

Types of Sports Bets

To bet successfully, it is essential to be familiar with a few key factors - the sport you are betting on, the odds on offer, and the type of bet that works best for you compared to your skill level and your bankroll. Certain bet types can feel quite overwhelming for new punters. Thus, we have prepared the list of the most common types of bets and short explanations of how they work to help you out.

Parlay Bets

Parlay is a different name for an accumulator bet (or Acca, for short). You link several bets together on the same slip and your success depends on all those wagers coming in. You should try to avoid parlays as they are a risky proposition, since just one losing bet on the slip causes the entire slip to lose.

Flat Stakes

With flat betting, you are staking the same amount on every match. regardless of what you may think about the outcome. With this betting strategy, you ensure your bankroll lasts longer and you have more chances.

Matched Betting

This is one of the rare betting strategies that do not come with any risks involved. All possible outcomes are covered by the bookie.

Arbitrage Betting

With this betting strategy, you are covering all possible results across different bookies to ensure profit. This is possible thanks to different sites offering different odds for same events and markets.

Spread Betting

Spread betting is very common in basketball, football, and other sports where there are many points during games. Check out the odds' section below to learn more about this particular type of bet.

FAQ

Sports betting is a very popular type of gambling where you're accepting the bookmaker's odds for your prediction. If you predict correctly, your win amount is dictated by the odds and the stake.

This is another term for a betting site or agency, also often referred to as a "bookie." Bookmakers provide a platform for punters where they can place their bets on different betting markets at the odds set by the betting operator.

The term punter is a colloquial term that describes a bettor or a gambler, i.e. a person placing any kind of real money wager in hopes of winning. The term is used in all types of gambling, but it is particularly popular in sports betting.

There are numerous online sites that offer betting services. To stay on the safe side, you should refer to our list of trustworthy and reputable online bookmakers when making your choice.

This means betting on the outcome or the result of a particular match or an event. In most betting scenarios, you can only choose between two players or teams to back an outcome.

Lay betting is the exact opposite of betting on an outcome, i.e. you are betting against a particular event happening. For example, you can lay a bet against Manchester United winning the Premier League, and your bet wins in all scenarios except if Manchester actually win the title.

Yes, all licensed bookmakers require you to create an account before you are able to place real money bets. So, choose carefully and use our list to find a safe and trustworthy bookie that you can safely share your personal info with.

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