Betting Education
How Betting Works
Plain-English guides from point spreads to advanced strategy.
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The Complete Beginner's Guide
Never placed a bet? This covers how odds work, what the spread means, how to place your first bet, and bankroll basics. Start here before anything else.
12 min read · Beginner · All Sports
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Quick Reference: Reading a Line
Spread
Chiefs -3.5
KC must win by 4+ points. Bills get +3.5.
Moneyline
-165 / +140
Bet $165 on fav to win $100. Bet $100 on dog to win $140.
Total (O/U)
O/U 51.5 (-110)
Bet whether combined score goes over or under 51.5.
Basics
01
Basics
What Is a Point Spread?
The most common bet in football and basketball.
5 min→
02
Odds
What Does -110 Mean?
You'll see -110 on almost every bet.
4 min→
03
Basics
Moneyline vs Spread vs Total
Three main bet types explained side by side.
6 min→
04
Basics
What Is a Parlay Bet?
Big payouts — but the math is not always in your favor.
5 min→
Odds & Lines
05
Odds
Implied Probability
Every line has a probability hidden inside it.
4 min→
06
Odds
What Is Line Movement?
When a line moves, it's telling you something.
7 min→
07
Odds
What Is the Vig (Juice)?
How sportsbooks make money — and how to minimize it.
5 min→
Strategy
08
Strategy
Bankroll Management
The one skill most bettors skip.
5 min→
09
Strategy
Sharp Money vs Public Money
Not all bets are treated equally by sportsbooks.
6 min→
10
Advanced
What Is a Middle?
Win both sides of the same bet when lines move.
8 min→
Betting Glossary
Quick definitions
ATS
Against the Spread — a team's record accounting for the spread.
Chalk
The favorite. "Betting chalk" means betting favorites.
Cover
When a team wins their side of the spread bet.
Dog / Underdog
The team expected to lose. Usually shown with a + moneyline.
Hook
The half-point in a spread (e.g. -3.5).
Sharp
A professional bettor who moves lines with their wagers.
Steam
Fast, coordinated sharp money hitting a line simultaneously.
Vig / Juice
The sportsbook's commission baked into the -110 odds.