Monday, January 08, 2007

Types of Sports Bets

Straight Bets - A straight bet (a.k.a. "side") is one of the most common forms of sports betting where you pick in advance which team will win the game.

For baseball, you bet on which team will win the game outright.

For basketball or football, there will generally be a point spread as part of the bet. If the number is positive (+), then you add the points to your team's score. If the number is negative (-), then subtract those points from your team's score. The side with the higher score after the points are applied is the winner.

Totals - When you bet on totals, you are betting on whether the total points scored in the game will be higher or lower than the posted total.

Parlays - A parlay is a group of straight bets or totals combined into one bet. For the parlay to win, all of the individual parts of the parlay need to win for the parlay to be a winner. You can mix different sports on the same parlay.

Teasers - A teaser is a group of straight bets or totals combined into one bet. The difference between a parlay and a teaser is that with a teaser, the line you bet against for each individual wager is moved to your favor by the number of points of the teaser. If the regular line is -10 and you have a 6-point teaser, then your line would be -4.

As with a parlay, all of the individual parts need to win for the teaser to be a winner. Teasers are not yet available for baseball or hockey.

Pleasers - A pleaser is a group of football and/or basketball side straight bets combined into one bet. The difference between a pleaser and a teaser is that with a pleaser, the line you bet against for each individual wager is moved against your favor from 6-7½ points. If the regular line is -10 and you play a 6-point pleaser, then your line would be -16.