The main types of sports bets include moneyline (picking the winner), point spread (betting on the margin of victory), totals/over-under (combined score), parlays (combining multiple bets), and prop bets (specific outcomes).
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- Moneyline bets – Pick the winner
- Point spread bets – Bet on the margin of victory
- Totals (over/under) bets – Bet on combined scoring
- Parlay bets – Combine multiple wagers into one
- Prop bets – Bet on specific player or game outcomes
- Futures bets – Long-term bets on championships or awards
- Teaser bets – Adjust point spreads in your favor
- Round robin bets – Multiple parlays with built-in protection
This guide explains how each bet type works, shows real examples with odds, and recommends which sports they’re best for, starting with beginner-friendly options and building to more advanced strategies.
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Understanding these different types of bets helps new bettors choose the right strategy for each sport and situation.
The Essential 3 (Beginner Bets)
Moneyline Betting Explained
Moneyline betting is one of the most common and beginner-friendly types of sports bets. A moneyline bet simply requires you to pick the winner of a game or match, with no point spread involved.
Moneyline bets are the simplest type of sports bet – you’re just picking which team will win. Because there’s no margin of victory to worry about, this betting type is often the first option new bettors learn.
What is moneyline betting in practice? Sportsbooks assign odds based on which team is favored to win. The favorite is shown with negative odds, while the underdog has positive odds. These odds determine how much you need to risk and how much you can win.
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Lakers –150 vs. Celtics +130
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Betting the Lakers at –150 means you must risk $150 to win $100
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Betting the Celtics at +130 means a $100 bet would return $130 in profit
The sportsbook adjusts these odds based on perceived risk. Favorites pay less because they’re more likely to win, while underdogs offer higher payouts to compensate for the risk.
Moneyline payouts are straightforward. Negative odds show how much you need to bet to win $100. Positive odds show how much profit you win on a $100 bet.
If you want to quickly see potential payouts, a moneyline calculator can help break down profits before you place a wager.
Moneyline betting works best when teams are closely matched, you believe an underdog can win outright, or point spreads feel unpredictable. This bet type is especially popular in lower-scoring sports where games are often decided by a single goal or run.
Best Sports for Moneyline Betting
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MLB (baseball) – pitcher matchups heavily influence outcomes
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NHL (hockey) – low scoring and tight margins
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Soccer – especially with strong favorites or underdogs
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Tennis – head-to-head player matchups
If you’re betting on baseball, understanding how pitching impacts odds is critical. Learning how to bet MLB games alongside moneyline strategies can significantly improve results.
Point Spread Betting Explained
Spread betting is one of the most widely used types of sports bets, especially in team sports where one side is clearly stronger than the other. Spread betting is the most popular type of bet in football and basketball.
The goal of point spread betting is to level the playing field by assigning a point handicap to the favorite, making both sides of the wager more evenly balanced.
So, what is spread betting at its core? Instead of simply picking the winner, you’re betting on whether a team will win by more than a set number of points (the favorite) or lose by fewer points than that number (the underdog). Sportsbooks use the spread to balance betting action and typically price both sides at similar odds.
- Favorites “give” points and must win by more than the spread
- Underdogs “get” points and can lose by fewer than the spread or win outright
Most point spread bets are priced at -110, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.
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Chiefs –7 (–110) vs. Broncos +7 (–110)
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A bet on the Chiefs requires them to win by 8 or more points
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A bet on the Broncos wins if they lose by 6 or fewer points or win outright
If the Chiefs win by exactly 7, the bet results in a push, and your stake is refunded.
Sportsbooks often add a half-point, known as the hook, to avoid pushes. A line of -7.5 or +7.5 ensures there is always a win or loss. While the hook may seem small, it can have a significant impact on long-term results, especially in sports where games commonly land on key numbers like 3 or 7.
Spread betting is most effective when one team is clearly superior, moneyline odds are too expensive on favorites, or you’re betting high-scoring sports with predictable margins. It’s particularly useful when favorites are expected to dominate but don’t offer value on the moneyline.
Best Sports for Spread Betting
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NFL – scoring patterns and key numbers matter
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NBA – pace and talent disparities create clear spreads
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College football (NCAAF) – wide gaps between teams
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College basketball (NCAAB) – frequent mismatches
If you want to visualize potential payouts before placing a bet, a spread calculator is a helpful tool for understanding risk and return. For football bettors, learning how spreads behave in different matchups is essential, especially when betting on the NFL, where pace, injuries, and rest heavily influence outcomes.
Totals (Over/Under) Betting
Over/under betting, also known as totals betting, is a popular sports betting type where you wager on the combined score of both teams, rather than which team wins the game.
Over/under bets remove the need to pick a winner – you’re betting on total scoring. This makes totals especially appealing when a matchup feels difficult to call, but you have a strong read on how the game will be played.
In over/under betting, sportsbooks set a projected total score, and bettors choose whether the actual combined score will go over or under that number by the end of the game.
- Over: You win if the total score exceeds the posted number
- Under: You win if the total score finishes below the posted number
Most totals bets are priced around -110, similar to point spreads.
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Lakers vs. Celtics Over/Under 215.5 points
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Bet the Over if you expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game
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Bet the Under if you anticipate strong defense or a slower tempo
If the final score is 110-108 (218 points), the Over wins. If it’s 104-102 (206 points), the Under wins. The half-point (.5) prevents a push.
Successful over/under betting depends on understanding what drives scoring. Key factors include pace of play, defensive efficiency, injuries, weather in outdoor sports, and game context such as blowouts inflating totals late.
Using an over/under calculator can help estimate payouts and evaluate whether a total offers value before placing a bet.
Totals betting is especially useful when the winner feels unpredictable, you expect a clear game script (shootout vs. defensive battle), or matchups and conditions strongly favor scoring trends. Because you’re not tied to one team, totals can reduce emotional bias and focus purely on data.
Best Sports for Over/Under Betting
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NBA – high scoring and pace-driven outcomes
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College basketball – a wide range of tempo and efficiency
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MLB – especially full-game and first 5 innings totals
For NBA bettors, tracking tempo, rotation changes, and offensive efficiency is especially important, as NBA totals can shift quickly when player availability or game style changes.
Popular Combination Bets (Intermediate)
Parlay Bets and How They Work
Parlay betting allows you to combine 2 or more individual bets into a single wager for a much larger potential payout. Instead of betting each selection separately, all picks called legs are linked together.
To win a parlay, every leg must win. If even 1 selection loses, the entire parlay loses. Because of this all-or-nothing structure, parlays are considered higher risk than single bets, but they’re popular because of the increased reward.
Parlay betting is especially appealing to bettors who want big payouts from smaller stakes.
Each leg of a parlay has its own odds. When combined, those odds multiply, creating a significantly higher payout than betting each pick individually. The sportsbook increases the payout because the probability of winning multiple bets simultaneously is much lower.
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Chiefs –3 (–110)
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Lakers moneyline (–150)
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Over 215.5 points (–110)
If each bet were placed separately, the payout would be modest. Combined into a 3-leg parlay, however, the total odds increase dramatically. A $20 stake might return over $100 in profit, depending on the exact odds. To understand potential payouts before placing a bet, using a parlay calculator is helpful. It shows how each added leg increases both risk and reward.
The biggest drawback of parlay betting is unforgiving risk. Unlike single bets, where 1 loss only affects that wager, 1 losing leg voids the entire parlay. This is why many experienced bettors limit parlays to 2 or 3 legs rather than chasing long-shot payouts with 5 or more selections.
| Traditional Parlays | Same Game Parlays |
|---|---|
|
Combine bets from different games or even different sports |
Allow multiple bets from the same game |
|
Outcomes are independent from each other |
Outcomes are often correlated, so sportsbooks adjust payouts |
Combine bets from different games or even different sports
Outcomes are independent from each other
Allow multiple bets from the same game
Outcomes are often correlated, so sportsbooks adjust payouts
SGPs are popular because they let bettors build a narrative around 1 matchup, such as combining a team win with player props. However, because outcomes are often correlated, sportsbooks adjust payouts accordingly.
Parlay betting sits firmly in the high-risk, high-reward category. The pros include large payouts, small initial stake, and entertaining sweat. The cons are low win rate and easy bankroll overextension.
For beginners, parlays should be used sparingly and for smaller amounts. They’re best treated as a supplement to single bets, not a primary strategy.
Best Sports for Parlay Betting
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NFL player props – clear usage patterns
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NBA player props – stars drive scoring and stats
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MLB totals – lower variance than sides
When used strategically, parlay betting can be a fun way to boost payouts, but success depends on discipline, realistic expectations, and understanding how quickly risk compounds with each added leg.
Same Game Parlays (SGPs)
Same Game Parlays (SGPs) are a variation of traditional parlay betting that allow you to combine multiple wagers from a single game into 1 bet. What makes SGPs different is that the outcomes are often correlated, meaning 1 result can directly influence another.
Because of this correlation, sportsbooks adjust payouts to account for reduced risk compared to unrelated parlay legs.
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Patrick Mahomes over passing yards
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Chiefs moneyline win
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Travis Kelce anytime touchdown
If the Chiefs’ offense performs well, all 3 outcomes become more likely, which is why sportsbooks carefully price these bets.
SGPs are popular because they let bettors build a clear game narrative and focus on 1 matchup rather than tracking multiple games at once. They also offer flexibility, allowing combinations of spreads, totals, and player props in a single wager.
Not all sportsbooks offer the same Same Game Parlay options. Platforms with advanced parlay builders typically provide more markets, better customization, and smoother user experiences. Exploring the best sportsbooks for Same Game Parlays can help bettors find the widest selection and most intuitive tools.
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Specialty Bets (Intermediate to Advanced)
Prop Bets (Player & Game Props)
Prop betting, short for proposition betting, focuses on specific events within a game rather than the final score. Instead of betting on which team wins, prop bets allow you to wager on player performances or individual game outcomes.
This makes them one of the most engaging types of sports bets available. Prop betting is especially popular because it gives bettors more ways to win and more angles to analyze, particularly in sports driven by star players.
There are 2 main categories of prop bets. Player props focus on individual athlete statistics, such as total points scored, passing yards, rebounds, assists, or strikeouts. Game props relate to events that happen during the game but aren’t tied to the final score, such as first touchdown scored, total 3-pointers made, or whether a game goes to overtime.
Both types are typically offered as over/under wagers, though some props are yes/no or multiple-choice outcomes.
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An NBA player to score over 25.5 points
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An NFL receiver to score the first touchdown
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A basketball player to record over 9.5 rebounds
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A UFC fighter to win by knockout, submission, or decision
These bets allow you to target specific strengths, roles, and matchups rather than predicting overall team performance.
Prop betting is fun because it shifts the focus from teams to players. You can cash a bet even if your team loses, as long as the player hits their number. This makes props ideal for betting star players, following individual matchups, and live betting opportunities.
Props also create more entertainment value, especially in games with limited betting appeal on spreads or totals.
Best Sports for Prop Betting
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NFL – extensive player usage data and stat tracking
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NBA – predictable minutes and high-volume stars
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UFC/MMA – clear paths to victory and method props
Sportsbooks vary widely in prop offerings and pricing, so choosing the right platform matters. Comparing the best prop betting sites can help bettors find deeper markets, better odds, and more betting options.
Futures Bets
Futures betting involves placing wagers on outcomes that will be decided well into the future, often weeks or months after the bet is made. Instead of focusing on a single game, futures bets cover long-term results such as championships, season awards, or team performance over an entire season.
Because these bets settle much later, they typically offer higher payouts to compensate for the time and uncertainty involved.
Common Types of Futures Bets
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Championship winners (Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series)
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Season awards (NFL MVP, NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year)
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Team win totals (over/under number of regular-season wins)
For example, you might bet on a team to win the Super Bowl before the season starts, or place an over/under bet on how many games an NBA team will win across the full schedule.
Timing plays a major role in futures betting success. Early futures often offer the best value before public perception and odds adjust. Late futures provide more information about injuries, form, and matchups, but usually come with shorter odds.
Some bettors also look for opportunities to hedge later in the season if their futures position improves significantly.
Because futures bets tie up your money for long periods, they should make up only a small portion of your overall bankroll. While the payouts can be attractive, the long wait and unpredictability require patience and discipline.
Best Sports for Futures Betting
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NFL – preseason and midseason Super Bowl markets
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NBA – MVP races and championship odds
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March Madness – tournament winner and Final Four bets
Futures betting is best suited for bettors who enjoy long-term strategy, value hunting, and tracking teams or players across an entire season rather than focusing on single-game results.
Teaser Bets
Teaser betting is a variation of parlay betting that allows you to adjust point spreads or totals in your favor in exchange for a lower payout. Instead of taking standard lines, a teaser lets you “tease” the spread by a set number of points, most commonly 6 points in football.
This makes each leg easier to win. While teasers still require all selections to win, they are generally less risky than traditional parlays because of the adjusted lines.
In teaser betting, you combine 2 or more teams into a single wager and move each spread by the same number of points. The more points you adjust, the lower the payout.
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Chiefs –10 becomes –4
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Eagles +2 becomes +8
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Both teams must cover their adjusted spreads for the teaser to win
Teasers are popular because they reduce risk compared to standard parlays, allow bettors to move lines through key numbers like 3 and 7, and provide more flexibility in mismatched games. However, because payouts are reduced, teasers require careful selection to remain profitable.
Teaser betting works best in football, where scoring comes in predictable increments and key numbers matter. NFL teasers, particularly 6-point teasers, are the most commonly used and studied. In basketball, teasers are less effective. Scoring is more fluid, spreads move more frequently, and key numbers are less meaningful.
Teasers are best used when lines sit near key numbers, you want lower risk than a parlay but higher payout than single bets, and you understand how spreads behave in football markets.
For a deeper breakdown of strategies, rules, and examples, reviewing our complete teaser betting guide can help bettors decide when this bet type makes sense within their overall approach.
Round Robin Bets
Round robin bets are a flexible alternative to traditional parlays that help reduce risk by creating multiple smaller parlays from the same group of selections. Instead of putting all your picks into 1 all-or-nothing wager, a round robin spreads those picks across several combinations.
This offers built-in protection if 1 selection loses. This bet type is especially useful for bettors who like parlays but want a safety net against a single bad outcome.
In a round robin, you choose several teams or bets and decide how many selections will be included in each parlay. The sportsbook then automatically generates all possible combinations.
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Team A + Team B
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Team A + Team C
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Team B + Team C
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This results in 3 separate 2-leg parlays
If one team loses, you can still win at least one of the remaining parlays.
Round robin bets appeal to bettors because they lower risk compared to standard parlays, still offer higher payouts than single bets, and provide flexibility in bet construction. The tradeoff is cost, since you’re placing multiple parlays and your total stake is higher than a single wager.
Round robins are best used when you like several picks but aren’t confident that all will win, you want parlay-style payouts with added protection, or you’re managing risk across multiple selections.
To understand potential payouts and total risk, using a round robin calculator can help you visualize how different combinations affect returns before placing the bet.
Best Bet Types for Each Sport
This sport-by-sport breakdown helps bettors quickly identify which betting types align best with each sport’s structure. Beginners can use it to avoid common mistakes, like betting heavy favorites in volatile sports, while more experienced bettors can refine their strategy by matching bet types to game dynamics.
| Sport | Best Bets | Why | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | Point spreads, Player props, Teasers | Parity makes spreads competitive; props abundant | Heavy moneyline favorites |
| NBA | Totals (over/under), Player props, SGPs | High scoring + individual players impact games significantly | Large moneyline favorites |
| MLB | Moneylines, Run lines, First 5 innings | Pitcher matchups dominate; close competitive games | Heavy multi-leg parlays |
| NHL | Moneylines, Puck lines, Totals | Low scoring + goaltending creates tight odds | Big favorite moneylines |
| College Football (NCAAF) | Point spreads, Totals | Talent gaps lead to large spreads and totals value | Small conference moneylines |
| Soccer | Draw no bet, Double chance, Totals | Draws common (30%+); low-scoring matches | Standard 3-way moneylines |
| Tennis | Moneylines, Set betting, Game totals | Head-to-head sport with no team variables | Large parlays |
| Golf | Outright winners, Top 5/10/20 finishes | Large fields offer high payouts; placement bets reduce risk | Traditional spreads |
| UFC/MMA | Moneylines, Method of victory props | Highly volatile; method props offer value on clear matchups | Oversized parlays |
| Boxing | Moneylines, Method of victory | Outcomes often predictable; method props offer better value | Blind moneyline favorites |
By choosing bet types that fit the sport, rather than forcing the same approach everywhere, bettors improve consistency, reduce unnecessary risk, and make more informed wagering decisions.
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Choosing the Right Bet Type
How to Choose the Best Bet Type
Choosing the right betting option is just as important as picking the right team or player. With so many types of sports bets available, the best choice depends on your goals, experience, and how much risk you’re willing to take.
Instead of using the same approach for every game, smart bettors match the bet type to both the sport and their personal situation.
Key Factors to Consider
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Your experience level – simpler bets are easier to manage and evaluate
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Sport knowledge – the better you understand a sport, the more angles you can exploit
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Risk tolerance – higher payouts usually come with lower win rates
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Bankroll size – smaller bankrolls require lower-variance strategies
Balancing these factors helps you avoid unnecessary risk and keeps betting sustainable over time.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of sports bets is the foundation of smart, confident wagering. The 5 essential bet types every bettor should know are moneyline bets, point spread bets, totals (over/under), parlays, and prop bets. Each serves a different purpose, and knowing when to use each one helps you manage risk while finding better value.
For most beginners, the best place to start is with moneylines and point spreads. These bets are straightforward, widely available across all sports, and easier to evaluate without advanced strategy. Totals betting is another strong early option, especially if you enjoy analyzing pace, defense, or scoring trends without picking a winner.
As you gain experience, you can gradually build into parlays and prop bets. Parlays add excitement and higher payouts but should be used sparingly, while prop betting rewards deeper knowledge of players and matchups. More advanced options like teasers, futures, and round robins work best once you’re comfortable with how odds, lines, and bankroll management interact.
If you’re ready to put this knowledge into action, start with a few moneyline bets at FanDuel, which offers a clean interface for learning bet types. Explore deeper prop markets at BetMGM, especially for NFL and NBA betting. Use a parlay calculator to understand how combining bets affects payouts before risking real money.
Before betting, always compare offers from the best sportsbook bonuses and use betting calculators to preview potential returns. Most importantly, focus on learning and consistency. Mastering bet types is a long-term advantage that pays off well beyond your first wager.
Gamble Responsibly
Sports betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. If gambling is negatively affecting your life, seek help immediately.
National Hotline: 1-800-522-4700 (available 24/7)
Online Help: ncpgambling.org
Age Requirement: Must be 21+ to bet (18+ in MT, NH, RI, WY, DC).
Know Your Limits: Set a budget and stick to it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Recognize Problem Signs: Chasing losses, betting with money needed for bills, hiding betting activity.
FAQs
What is spread betting and how does it work?
Spread betting is a wager on the margin of victory rather than simply picking the winner. Sportsbooks assign a point spread to level the matchup between a favorite and an underdog. The favorite must win by more than the spread to “cover,” while the underdog can lose by fewer points than the spread (or win outright) and still cover.
For example, in a Chiefs –7 vs. Broncos +7 matchup, the Chiefs must win by 8 or more points to cover, while the Broncos cover if they lose by 6 or fewer points or win the game. Spread betting is most common in football and basketball, where point margins are predictable enough to price accurately.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is the simplest type of sports bet, where you’re picking which team or player will win the game outright. There is no point spread involved, only odds that reflect how likely each side is to win. Negative odds (–150) indicate a favorite, while positive odds (+130) indicate an underdog. The odds show how much you need to risk or how much you can win, making moneyline betting ideal for beginners.
What is the difference between a parlay and a teaser?
Both parlays and teasers combine multiple bets into one wager, but they work differently. A parlay uses standard lines, and all bets must win for the parlay to cash. A teaser adjusts point spreads or totals in your favor, but reduces the payout. Parlays offer higher payouts but more risk, while teasers trade payout size for improved odds on each leg.
Which bet type is best for beginners?
The best bet types for beginners are moneylines on close matchups and over/under (totals) bets where scoring trends are clear. New bettors should generally avoid large parlays early on, as they have low win rates and can drain a bankroll quickly.
Can you combine different bet types in a parlay?
Yes, most sportsbooks allow you to combine different types of bets in a single parlay. You can mix point spreads, totals (over/under), moneylines, and player props. In Same Game Parlays, sportsbooks may limit combinations or adjust payouts due to correlated outcomes.
What does -110 mean in betting odds?
Odds of –110 are the most common pricing in sports betting and represent the sportsbook’s commission (vig). You risk $110 to win $100, and the extra $10 is the sportsbook’s built-in edge. This pricing is standard for point spreads and over/under bets.
Are prop bets harder to win than regular bets?
Prop bets aren’t necessarily harder to win, but they are priced very efficiently by sportsbooks. Success depends on research, matchup analysis, and understanding player roles. Props can offer value for bettors who specialize in specific sports or players, but casual betting without data can make them less predictable than traditional bets.
Which sports are best for over/under betting?
Over/under betting works best in sports with consistent scoring patterns and clear pace or matchup indicators. The strongest sports for totals betting include the NBA (fast pace and high scoring), college basketball (wide range of tempos), and MLB (especially first 5 innings totals, where pitching matchups matter most). Understanding how each sport produces points or runs is key to finding value in totals markets.
