Understanding sports betting odds before you make a killing
If you have entered the betting arena without a clear strategy under consideration then you could emerge out as a very disappointed bettor, not to mention that you could also lose a ton of money in the process. Just like a doctor would need the right skills before operating over a patient, you too will have to work tirelessly in understanding sports betting odds before you make a killing in the betting arena.
Each exciting sport such as boxing, tennis, golf, baseball, football, basketball, horse racing, car racing, and several such more are eligible for betting. Even if the sport is college football handled by way of the ncaa or pro football handled by the nfl, bets can be placed, even though the odds will surely differ in each sport and every game too. Odds are also displayed differently in different countries. By way of example, USA displays odds as American odds, i.e. -100, -230, etc, while Canada, Australia and Countries in Europe display odds as Decimal odds, i.e. 2.50, 1.30, etc, and the UK displays odds as Fractional odds, i.e. 8/8, 8/4, etc.
Sports betting odds also display the underdog team together with the top-dog, the over-under and the spread through which you must win if you choose to bet for or against the spread. A simple example will explain betting odds easily. For instance in a nfl match involving the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants, the odds could be displayed as under
Buffalo Bills -11.2 -120 -160
New York Giants +11.2 -120 +270
The first sign near the teams name indicates the underdog and the top-dog. Therefore, Buffalo Bills is the top-dog due to the “-” sign whereas the Giants are the underdogs due to the “+” sign beside it. The figure 11.2 signifies the spread and the favored team has got to win with the points mentioned on the spread. The figure 120 implies that you will have to bet $120 to win $100 on that spread. The final figure of 160 near the Bills signifies that you have to stake $160 to win $100 along with your stake on that bet because the Bills are classified as the favored team to win. Alternatively, you only have to bet $100 to win $270 should you bet for the Giants since it is the underdog team.
The above mentined was an example of betting odds in the American odds format. Each bookie displays odds in different formats however, you would be able to quickly convert it in your format when using the odds converter available in most websites. The Internet has today definitely made betting easier even though you will definitely have to work towards understanding and calculating the betting odds prior to placing your bet.
You will definitely be able to bet efficiently and convert most of your placed bets into huge wins if you read and understand sports betting odds. Each sports book displays odds and you will have to select sites that have the most effective odds that you can bet on. Understanding sports betting odds is vital if you wish to beat the odds and also the bookies and make a killing by winning the maximum amount of bets.