February 27, 2025

How to Bet on Sports: Mastering the Basic

Learning the basics of online sports betting before placing wagers is fundamental for several reasons. First-time bettors have a whole world of terminology, rules, and choices to understand. Laying the groundwork beforehand allows you to take full advantage of the comprehensive betting coverage, advantageous bonuses, and special features.

Researching how to bet on sports is a critical and responsible gambling principle that helps punters stay safe from some of the most common pitfalls. You could easily waste your bankroll and adopt dangerous habits without knowing how things work. Online sports betting is also far more entertaining when you know the fundamental concepts, so don’t jump in without educating yourself.

This how-to bet on sports guide will cover everything you need to know to get started. We’ll explain how to read odds, the different types of sport bets, vital betting tips, how online sports betting bonuses work, and more.

Understanding the Sports Betting Basics: How to Read Odds

Let’s start at the beginning to give a well-rounded view of the basics of sports betting. At the most fundamental level, betting on sports involves placing wagers on specific predictions. The sportsbook or bookmaker sets odds for various scenarios, like the winner of an event or a specific outcome. These numbers or fractions indicate the probability of the end result and show how much money you can win from a successful prediction.

Reading odds is among the most important sports betting basics to appreciate. Doing so uncovers the underdogs and favourites, the implied probability of a scenario happening, and the potential payout when you place a stake. Betting experts can gather this information in seconds, helping them to take maximum advantage of advanced betting strategies like searching for the best prices or discerning the markets with the most value.

We’ll get to these sophisticated wagering tactics later in this article. For now, you can find a summary of the three prominent odds formats and how to read them below:

Decimal Odds

European online sports betting platforms tend to favour decimal odds. This format features decimal numbers representing the total payout for a winning bet when multiplied by the stake. For example, a €10 bet on 2.50 odds will generate a €25 overall payout and €15 profit. More probable scenarios or favourites have smaller decimal numbers, while less likely outcomes or underdogs have larger numbers. Divide 100 by the odds to calculate the implied probability. Using the example above, 2.50 odds have a 40% (100/2.50) chance of something happening.

Fractional Odds

UK bookmakers almost always use fractional odds. The first number represents the possible profit relative to the second number, which acts as the stake. So, 3/2 odds would mean you would make a £3 profit on a £2 bet. As with decimal odds, the smaller fractions indicate favourites or more probable events, and the larger fractions represent underdogs and less likely scenarios. Divide the second number by the sum of both to find the implied probability. For example, 3/2 odds would have an implied probability of 40% [2 / (3+2)].

American Odds

Also known as moneyline odds, American odds indicate the potential profit or loss on a $100 wager. Favourites and, more likely, events have a negative value and show the amount you must stake to win $100. On the other hand, underdogs and less probable outcomes have favourable odds, displaying the profit you would make on a $100 wager. We’ll use a theoretical example from the NFL to clear things up:

Cleveland Browns: +150

Cincinnati Bengals: -250

The Bengals are the dominant favourites, as evidenced by the relatively large negative number. You would need to bet $250 to win $100 here. Conversely, a $100 on the Browns would generate $150 in profit. Use the following formulas to calculate the implied probability of each team winning:

Cleveland Browns: 100 / (Positive Odds [150] + 100) x 100 = 40%

Cincinnati Bengals: Negative Odds [250] / (250 + 100) x 100 = 71.42%

Memorise these formulas to allow yourself to work out the implied probability from American odds quickly. It’s a little trickier than decimal or British odds, but it doesn’t take long to master.

How to Bet on Sports: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mastering the different types of odds and how to read them provides the perfect foundation for an enjoyable online sports betting experience. We’ll outline how to bet on football and other sports from start to finish using the generic steps below:

  • Compare Sports Betting Sites

Researching online sports betting sites is crucial before getting stuck in. Each operator has a slightly different approach to odds, betting markets, bonuses, customer service, and other essential factors. Read reviews and explore the platforms to ensure you choose the best option for your preferences. Here at ArcticBet, we offer generous bonuses, helpful customer service agents and plenty of sportsbook markets, so this is an excellent place to start.

  • Register

Once you’ve selected a sports betting site, click the ‘Register’ or ‘Sign Up’ button, which is usually found in the top right-hand corner. You’ll need to disclose personal information, including your email, telephone number, date of birth, full name, and address. Bettors in most jurisdictions must also provide a few pieces of documentation to verify their accounts thoroughly.

  • Deposit and Claim the Welcome Bonus

After successfully registering, you must deposit to start betting. Ensure you read the Welcome Bonus terms and conditions to get all the benefits. Most bonuses require a minimum deposit or bet between €5 and €10, with typical promotions granting free bets or a deposit match. These offers are fantastic ways to get to grips with the platform and place bets with fewer financial worries. We’ll go into more detail regarding the different bonuses available later in this article.

  • Examine the Betting Options

Now that you’ve verified your account and deposited, the only thing left to do is start betting. But don’t get carried away; examining the full extent of the betting options before placing any stakes is crucial. Explore the full range of sports and types of sports bets before deciding, as going too fast can lead to missed opportunities. We strongly recommend only betting on sports and markets you’re comfortable with.

  • Add a Selection to Your Betslip | Set Your Stake and Confirm

Have you chosen a prediction? Click on the odds to add them to your bet slip. This is usually visible on the right-hand side of the screen, showing all the open bets you’ve currently got. There will be an empty field beside the latent bet where you can set your stake amount. Take care not to overspend here, and consider the potential payout displayed next to the wager amount before confirming the bet. After you’ve done so, it’s just a matter of waiting to see whether you’ll be successful.

Popular Types of Sports Bet

Whether you’re learning to bet on football or tennis, you’ll need a solid understanding of the main types of sports bets available. Aside from learning to read odds, this is undeniably one of the most important sports betting basics. Even if you’re not comfortable predicting the outright winner of a match or competition, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Check below for the most popular types of sports bets:

Match Result and Moneyline

Betting on the match winner is the most straightforward betting market. This can also be referred to as a moneyline bet. In these cases, American odds are the most common. The only

difference between match results and moneyline bets is that the latter doesn’t account for a draw.

Over/Under

Over/under wagers are also known as Totals. These wagers refer to the total number of goals, points, or other statistics during a sports event. The online sports betting platform sets a specific number, with bettors predicting whether the outcome will be above or below.

Point Spread and Handicap

Point spread and handicap bets operate using the same fundamental mechanic. These types of sports bets are helpful for events with a heavy favourite. Instead of betting on the outcome, you’ll predict whether the winner will triumph by a certain number of points. Conversely, you can bet on the loser to lose within a certain number. For example, you could bet on West Ham at +1.5 against Manchester City. Your bet would still be successful even if they lost by a goal.

Futures

Outright future bets refer to wagers on events or tournaments far in advance. These are commonly available for global competitions like the World Cup or Premier League. You can predict who will win or where a specific team will place.

Prop Bets

Player and team prop wagers are some of the most exciting and detailed sports bets. These wagers allow bettors to predict the number of goals each team will score or the number of aces a tennis player will hit during a match. Sports betting platforms can offer a comprehensive array of prop bets, generating numerous exciting betting opportunities.

Accumulator and Parlay

Accumulator and parlay bets feature several predictions under the same overall wager. For example, you could predict the results of five or more football games over a weekend by multiplying the potential payout of each selection. Just remember that all predictions must be accurate. Even if one leg fails, the whole bet will lose.

Bet Builder

Bet Builders are some of the freshest types of sports bets. These powerful tools allow bettors to combine multiple selections across one-match events. For example, you could guess the number of goals and corners alongside the first goal scorer and the overall match result.

Best Sports Bets Bonuses

Studying the different types of bonuses is vital to learning how to bet on sports. These promotions can considerably increase your enjoyment and overall success, so it’s important not to miss out. Here is a rundown of the best sports bet bonuses:

  • Deposit Match: This is the most common online sports betting welcome bonus. Platforms will typically match 100% of your deposit in bonus funds up to a certain amount. Ensure you read the terms and conditions to understand the rules and check for wagering requirements.
  • Free Bets: Online sports betting platforms regularly offer new and existing customers free bets. You’ll usually need to place a qualifying deposit or stake, but you can sometimes receive these free bets simply for being a customer, especially during high-profile sports events.
  • Risk-Free Wagers: These promotions are great for bettors wanting to place riskier bets. Risk-free wagers guarantee your money back if your bet loses, although there’ll always be a maximum amount in the terms and conditions.
  • Price Boosts: Price boosts deliver more value for online sports betting enthusiasts. Operators can increase the odds on specific events or betting markets, boosting the potential payout if you win.

Top Online Sports Betting Strategies

Learning to place the best sports bets requires careful thought, discipline, and dedicated research. Check below for some of the top online sports betting strategies to consider:

  • Research Sports: Expert bettors constantly read about their chosen sport, making sure to spot patterns in head-to-head form and other priceless statistics.
  • Learn Betting Markets: Getting a solid grasp on the types of sports bets available is a fundamental sports betting tactic. We recommend using deposit matches and free bet offers to familiarise yourself with various betting markets. Consequently, you’ll have more freedom when placing wagers and can use your sports research.
  • Budget Effectively: Budgeting effectively is one of the most important online sports betting tactics for several reasons. Critically, it helps keep you safe from overspending and slipping into irresponsible gambling habits. Budgeting also ensures you have the bankroll to place wagers in the future, often leading to more astute predictions. Every cent counts when you have a strict budget, so it’s much harder to get carried away and place bets without thought.

Last updated: 26.02.25