Betting Explained - How Do I Start Online Sports Betting As A Beginner?

A Quick Introduction: How Online Sports Betting Works?

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to deep dive into the world of sports betting! you stumbled upon this article because you are a beginner who wants sports betting to be explained and you are wondering "how it all works?", or "How Do I Start Online Sports Betting?" Well, you're lucky. 

sports betting explained for beginners.

In this beginner betting explainer guide, we will guide you through understanding the basics, and introducing some top sports betting platforms. 

Plus, we will share with you a few pointers to boost your odds of success. So, buckle up and get ready to elevate your sports betting game!

Betting on sports is when you put money on what you think will happen in a game or part of it. The idea is to make some money from it. 

You can bet on things like "who will win" (moneyline), by "how much" (spread), "how many points will be scored" (over/under), and other fun bets like parlays or future outcomes.

1. Ever wondered what is sports betting and how do i start online sports betting? 

It's pretty straightforward: you place a bet using real money on certain events. If your predictions are spot-on, you come out a winner. Your payout? It depends on your bet amount and the odds given. 

While soccer takes the spotlight as a favorite, sports like tennis, basketball, ice hockey, and handball also draw in enthusiasts. 

And if you're thinking beyond the usual, many platforms offer bets on less mainstream sports like darts, squash, Gaelic sports, futsal, and even bandy.

So, there's a whole world of betting waiting to be explored beyond just the popular picks!

How do sports bets work?

2. Types of bets

Let's talk about the different ways you can place bets! Each sport offers a variety of betting options, and it can be a tad overwhelming. 

Diving into the realm of sports betting online can feel a tad overwhelming, especially when you're a beginner. 

Starting with simpler bets isn't just a suggestion; it's a MUST. 

By keeping things straightforward initially, you're setting yourself up to grasp the essence without diving headfirst into the maze of intricate wagering options. 

Think of it as your initiation phase, where the goal is to familiarize rather than confuse.

Getting the hang of sports betting is a journey, not a sprint. So, why rush into the complex stuff right away? 

By focusing on the basics, you allow yourself the luxury of understanding the landscape, feeling the rhythm, and truly enjoying the essence of sports betting without feeling like you're reading hieroglyphics. 

Start simple, let things unfold, and soon enough, you'll navigate the broader spectrum with confidence.

If you're keen to dive deeper into specific sports, here are some to explore:

• Football betting
• Basketball betting
• Tennis betting
• Ice hockey betting
• Handball betting
• American football betting
• Horse betting

Each sport brings its own flavor to the betting scene, so go ahead and choose what piques your interest!

2. Single Bet 

Explaining a single bet means in sports betting is pretty straightforward: 

Just as the name suggests, you place real money on a single prediction on your bet slip. 

When you multiply your bet amount by the odds of your chosen bet, you get a glimpse of your potential winnings.

Here's a quick example: Imagine you wager ($10) on Mainz 05 winning against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, with odds set at (3.0). If your prediction is correct, you'd pocket ($30). ($10 x 3).

The beauty of a single bet? Even if other bets on your slip don't pan out, it won't affect this particular bet. 

Of course, depending on how much you bet and the odds, the potential winnings for a single bet might be on the lower side.

3. Combo Bet

Unlike a single bet, a combo bet offers a shot at bigger winnings, but it does come with increased risk. 

With a combo bet, you combine multiple individual bets on one ticket, multiplying all the individual odds together. 

The potential payout is then determined by multiplying your total odds with your bet amount.

For instance, let's say you place bets on a game from the Bundesliga (odds: 2.5), the German Ice Hockey League (odds: 1.75), and the Handball Bundesliga (odds: 1.50) all on one ticket. 

The combined odds for this ticket come to (6.56). If you wager ($10) and win, you'd walk away with ($65.60).

However, it's essential to recognize the higher risk here. If even one of your predictions falls through, you lose the entire combo bet. 

Imagine getting most of your combo right and missing out on a big win because of one wrong prediction!

4. System Bet

If you're looking for a bit more flexibility, consider the system bet. 

Here, you still combine multiple bets on one ticket, but a wrong prediction doesn't necessarily mean game over. 

While one combination might not pan out, other combinations on your ticket could still be in play.

For instance, let's say you're betting on wins for Schalke 04, Bayern Munich, and Wolfsburg. 

You could opt for a 2 out of 3 system, where various combo bets emerge. 

True to its name, you'd need at least 2/3 predictions to be correct for a win.

5. Handicap Bet

Now, let's dive into another popular betting type: the handicap bet. Just as the name suggests, this one's pretty straightforward too.

In a handicap bet, you give one team, like in a soccer match, a head start. Imagine Liverpool FC playing against VfL Wolfsburg. 

Seeing as Liverpool might be the favorite, you'd give Wolfsburg a two-goal advantage. 

So, if you're backing Liverpool, they'd need to win by at least three goals. Essentially, Liverpool starts the game down 0-2 in this scenario.

Similarly, there's the spread bet, more common in U.S. sports like basketball and football. 

In spread betting, the point advantage is typically in whole or half numbers. 

One thing to note: with half-point spread bets, you can't bet on a tie!

6. Over/Under Bets

Looking for a more relaxed betting experience where you're not solely relying on your favorite team to win? 

Over and under bets might be your thing. It might sound a tad complex, but let me break it down for you:

You're essentially betting on whether the number of goals, say in a soccer or hockey game, will exceed or fall below a specific value. 

So, when two high-scoring teams face off, you've got a decent shot at winning an over bet.

7. Futures Bets

With futures bets, once you've placed your virtual bet, you can kick back and watch the action unfold. 

Typically, these bets revolve around predictions like who'll be the next champion or the winner of a significant tournament or competition.

So, if you're keen on predicting the champions in sports like soccer, hockey, handball, futures bets are up your alley. 

Just a heads-up: the more likely a team is to win, the lower the odds will be.

8. Special Bets

When diving into this sports betting market, the options are genuinely diverse. 

Take a soccer match, for instance; you can bet on the first event to occur. Will there be a kickoff? A throw-in or a free kick? Maybe even an early goal?

Furthermore, you can place bets on specific events like "which player will score a goal?" or "who might get a yellow card or a red card?". 

Some more unique bets might even be available. Occasionally, you might find bets on whether a streaker might make a surprise appearance during the game!

9. Betting Odds Explained:

Odds are at the heart of sports betting, and they're determined by the bookmakers. 

Whether or not the bookmaker covers the betting tax can sometimes influence these odds. 

That's why it's always a good idea to compare different sports betting providers.

Simply put, multiplying the odds by your stake gives you an idea of your potential profit.

Odds typically around 95% are considered on the higher side. For specific events, you might even find higher odds. 

It's standard for odds to decrease for less popular sports or events.

10. Understanding Odds with an Example

Imagine the DFB Cup semifinal match between Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich. 

Given Bayern's consistent top-notch performance, the odds for a Bayern win might be quite low. 

In contrast, the odds for a Werder Bremen victory or a draw would be considerably higher.

Both beginners and seasoned bettors would likely avoid risking their money on a "Werder Bremen Win" or an "End Result: Draw" since a Bayern Munich victory seems quite evident.

So, if someone places a $20 bet on Bayern Munich and Bayern ends up winning, that $20 bet, multiplied by the odds of 1.32, would result in a total of $26.40. 

This means you'd receive a profit of $6.40, in addition to getting back your initial $20 stake, credited to your account.

11. How do you place bets online?

Placing sports bets with an online bookmaker is pretty straightforward. Let me break it down for you in a few simple steps to quickly get you betting sports online:

1. Create an Account: The first and essential step is setting up your betting account. It's a quick process that requires entering some details and takes just a few minutes.
2. Log In and Deposit: Once you've got your account set up, log in and deposit real money into your betting account. 
3. Start Betting: With those initial steps done, you're all set to place your bets online. It usually takes just a few clicks until your bet slip is ready to go.

12. The Sports Betting Bonus