Can You Place Bets Online
- Can You Place Bets Online
- How To Place Bets Online
- Best Online Betting Sites
- Place A Bet On Nfl
- Can You Place Sports Bets Online In Arizona
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Many of the most avid sports fans often wonder how to bet on sports online legally, particularly because sports betting only became legal a few years ago.
Just two years ago, the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The historic decision paved the way for states to legalize sports betting on an individual basis.
In only two years, the burgeoning US sports betting scene has developed into a competitive market, and it’s only getting stronger.
Sports betting isn’t legal everywhere in the US, but many jurisdictions authorized and launched completely legal sportsbooks. It’s easier to place a legal bet in the US right now than it has ever been before.
How To Bet On Sports Online Legally
To bet online legally, you first need to find a legal and regulated operator. Fortunately, many states have legalized sports betting and have online sportsbooks live, accepting wagers. Sportsbook technology is so streamlined that using them is about as simple as using any other app you access on a day-to-day basis.
The bets you’ll find vary somewhat by state because certain jurisdictions prohibit specific types of bets. Illinois, for example, does not allow betting on elections, awards shows, any college match that includes an Illinois school, or minor league sporting events. Still, most sportsbooks offer a wide array of bets on professional sports, college matches, and international events.
Online sports betting brings a hobby to the digital space that formerly required users to visit land-based sportsbooks. Betting online has the added advantage of convenience and speed.
The Top Sports Betting Promo Codes
Here’s an at-a-glance overview of sign-up bonuses from some of the biggest sportsbooks:
Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Live In |
---|---|---|
DraftKings | 20% deposit match up to $1000 | CO, IN, NJ, WV, PA, IL, IA, NH |
FanDuel | Up to $1000 risk-free bet | CO, IL, IN, NJ, WV, PA |
FOX Bet | Up to $500 risk-free bet | CO, NJ, PA |
BetRivers | 100% deposit match up to $250 | CO, IN, PA, IL |
PointsBet | 2 risk-free bets up to $2,000 | NJ, IN, IA |
Where To Place An Online Sports Bet
When the Supreme Court overturned PASPA, it granted states the individual opportunity to legalize sports betting. As a result, the US sports betting landscape is incredibly diverse and nuanced. Even among states that have launched sports betting, the laws make each market unique.
States With Legal And Live Online Sports Betting
State | First Online Sportsbook Launched |
---|---|
Colorado | May 2020 |
Illinois | June 2020 |
Indiana | October 2019 |
Iowa | August 2019 |
Michigan | 2021 |
Nevada | 2010 |
New Hampshire | December 2019 |
New Jersey | July 2018 |
Oregon | March 2020 |
Pennsylvania | May 2019 |
Rhode Island | September 2019 |
Tennessee | Late 2020 |
Washington DC | May 2020 |
West Virginia | August 2018 |
Sports Betting Coming Soon
Legislation and regulation, especially when real money gambling is involved, can take time. Many states are still solidifying their sports betting laws, and a few are expected to enter the market very soon.
Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia have all legalized online sports betting and will launch once regulations are finalized and licenses are granted. Among those states, Tennessee is unique in that it will allow online-only sportsbooks exclusively because there are no land-based casinos in the state.
Meanwhile, New York, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Mexico all have retail sports betting. Those states could consider online legislation in the near future to boost their existing land-based offerings.
Other states have been working on legislation, but have encountered roadblocks for various reasons. Once they overcome certain obstacles, we expect California, Massachusetts, and possibly Florida to legalize online sports betting.
The Best Online Sportsbooks In The US
The expansion of the US sports betting landscape has brought the rise of various operators. This gives sports bettors plenty of options to choose from, and using one of the top sports betting sites means you’ll have a seamless experience from start to finish.
DraftKings
Available in: CO, IN, NJ, WV, PA, IL, IA, NH
DraftKings is one of the industry’s undisputed leaders. The company began as a daily fantasy sports provider and grew rapidly to become a top-tier sportsbook and online casino operator. In states where it’s live, DraftKings almost always nabs the top spot in terms of revenue.
DraftKings is about as close to flawless as a sportsbook can get. It has apps for iOS and Android, it’s optimized for mobile browsers, and it has an intuitive desktop interface. With plenty of sports and competitive odds, playing at DraftKings should be an easy choice for any bettor.
The only downside is that DraftKings sign-up bonus, a 20% deposit match up to $500, requires a hefty initial deposit to make it worth your while.
Check out the current bonus at DraftKings.
FanDuel
Available in: CO, IL, IN, NJ, WV, PA
FanDuel is another leading name in the sportsbook world. It’s owned by Flutter Entertainment (a company formed by merging Paddy Power and Betfair). Flutter is a driving force in the European gambling market, so FanDuel has the backing of an experienced corporation.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel has plenty to enjoy and very few faults. The app has some minor interface issues (sometimes pages load on the slow side), but generally FanDuel is a top-notch sportsbook. You can find plenty of US sports in addition to more niche offerings on international events.
Check out the current bonus at FanDuel Sportsbook.
FOX Bet
Available In: CO, NJ, PA
The biggest downside for FOX Bet is that it’s only available in three states. However, the company has big expansion plans, and you can expect the sportsbook to move into new markets in the coming months and beyond.
FOX Sports and The Stars Group (another major European company) run the FOX Bet brand in the US. With strong backing from leading gambling and media corporations, FOX Bet has a great chance to rise to the top of the sports betting industry.
FOX Bet is user-friendly and has lucrative sign-up bonuses: a 50% deposit match bonus up to $500 and a $500 risk-free bet, totaling a possible $1,000 bonus for new players. FOX Bet players can access the book via Android or iOS app plus desktop and mobile browsers.
BetRivers
Available in: CO, IN, PA, IL
BetRivers is the official online sportsbook from Rush Street Interactive.
BetRivers’ welcome bonus offers up to $250 as a deposit match with a minimal play-through requirement, and you’ll find odds similar to those on DraftKings. The company’s app is user friendly and easy to navigate, cementing it as a sports betting leader.
Can You Place Bets Online
PointsBet
Australian operator PointsBet has one of the most intuitive, user-friendly apps on the market. PointsBet also has great odds on the underdog compared to competing sportsbooks. Add on a welcome bonus up to $1,000 in risk-free bets, and you have a strong sportsbook.
Other Online Sportsbooks
There are plenty of other sportsbooks on the market. Barstool Sportsbook, for example, is coming to a few states. William Hill is another big operator with a strong industry history. Every sportsbook has something to offer, so keep an eye out for special bonuses, competitive odds, and unique betting options.
How To Choose A Legal Online Sports Betting Site
You should look for a few key details when you’re choosing an online sports betting site.
Availability And Accessibility
First and foremost, is your preferred sportsbook actually live in your state? That’s the first factor you should consider. Fortunately, many sportsbooks are making their way to multiple markets.
Second, how do you want to bet? Phone, tablet, or desktop? Most sportsbooks have apps and desktop sites available, but you should always check that your preferred method is available. Take it one step further and check to see how intuitive the experience is. Sportsbook apps should be seamless and easy to use.
Sports And Odds
Do you prefer to bet on the underdog or the favorite? Do you like to bet on a niche sport outside of the most popular events? Check for these types of things at your sportsbook. Some sites, like PointsBet, tend to favor the underdog while some offer better odds on the favorite. Learn more about odds for the NFL and how to use an edge table.
Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
Most payment methods–credit/debit, PayPal, online banking, etc.–are standard across the board. But if you use a more obscure method like PayNearMe, you should be sure your preferred sportsbook accepts it.
How To Place A Bet At An Online Sportsbook App
Getting to the point where you can actually place a bet is usually very simple, but you do have to take a few required steps first.
Step 1: Choose A Sportsbook Site Or App
This may seem obvious, but given the growing market and the number of operators, choosing a sportsbook can be tough. Use the information on this page or visit our individual sportsbook reviews to help you choose one that’s legal in your state and best fits your tastes.
Once you’ve picked a sportsbook, you’ll want to access it via either desktop/mobile browser or by downloading the app. You can switch methods whenever you’d like, but for your first time pick one and stick to it to keep the process simple. If you’re playing on a desktop or a mobile browser, just head to the sportsbook’s website. To get the app, it’s slightly more complicated:
How To Download A Sportsbook App
Sportsbook apps have to adhere to strict regulations–not just from legislators, but from technology providers. Google and Apple have specific restrictions on gambling apps. To download a sportsbook app, you have to work with these restrictions.
For iOS device users, it’s pretty cut and dry. If your preferred sportsbook has an app in the App Store, just download it as you normally would.
Android users aren’t quite so lucky. Google prohibits all gambling apps from the Google Play Store, so you can’t get them from that marketplace. Instead, you can install the app straight from your sports betting provider’s website. Sportsbooks will have a convenient link on their site that kickstarts the download process. Once you select a few settings and install the app, you’re good to go.
Step 2: Create Your Account
Once you have the app or have visited the desktop site, create your account. This is similar to signing up for an account at a social media site or online shopping retailer with some small differences. You’ll provide:
- Username and password (you will create these)
- Name
- Email address
- Home address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Last 4 digits of your SSN (to confirm your age/identity)
You may also need to download a separate geolocation app (pr plug-in for desktop users) to confirm your location whenever you wish to place a bet. You need to be in state lines
In-Person Registration
Some states require you to confirm your account in person before you can place a bet. Illinois and Iowa are among the states with this requirement. Once you register, you need to visit your chosen sportsbook’s land-based partner to complete registration, then you can place wagers.
Step 3: Deposit, Bet, and Cashout
App downloaded/desktop site bookmarked? Registration complete? Now you’re ready to make a deposit. There are a number of popular payment methods: credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, PayPal, online banking, wire transfer, and more.
Use the method you’re most comfortable with. In the app or on the sportsbook site, visit the cashier section from the menu (sometimes there’s an option to just select “deposit”) and follow the prompts to connect your preferred payment method. ACH echeck and PayPal are two of the easiest methods, but others work just fine, too.
After you deposit, you can place a bet. And when you’re ready to cash out, head to the cashier page again and select from the available options. These usually include check by mail, bank transfer, or PayPal.
How To Place A Sports Bet Using A Bonus Offer
Sportsbooks offer a few common bonus types that you can use to maximize your account value, especially your first few bets.
No Deposit Bonus
This one’s simple. Just register for an account and the sportsbook will credit your account with a small amount of money, usually between $5 and $25 (more if you’re lucky). No deposit required! It’s essentially a “thank you” bonus for signing up, and you can use the credit to place a bet.
Deposit Match Bonus
Deposit matches are simple in theory, but the terms and conditions can make them tricky to navigate. In their simplest form, deposit matches allow you to double your account value. For example, BetRivers offers a 100% first deposit match up to $250. Simply put, if you make an initial deposit of $250, they’ll credit your account with an additional $250.
Some operators match a smaller percentage. DraftKings does a 20% deposit match up to $500. To get the maximum match, you’d have to deposit $2,500.
Always check the terms–deposit matches usually only apply to your very first deposit. And before you can cash out the bonus money, you typically have to wager with it.
Risk-Free Bet
With a risk-free bet, you have a wagering safety net. These almost always apply to your first bet and then expire. Just place a bet, and if you lose, the sportsbook will credit your account with the amount you wagered. If you win, you keep your winnings. Risk-free bets often come with a maximum of $500 (this is the case at FanDuel and PointsBet).
Placing Sports Bets Online Legally
Using a legal, regulated sportsbook offers the safest, most secure sportsbook experience. Offshore/grey market sites are incredibly risky; they can shut down at a moment’s notice and they don’t use high-level security tools. Your data and personal information are at risk at an offshore site, making legal sites your best route to a safe sportsbook outing.
Why Should I Trust Online Sports Betting Sites?
You should trust online sports betting sites only if they are licensed and regulated. State government agencies oversee sports wagering, and they put strict regulations in place to protect players.
Each state has some sort of governing body for sports betting that grants licenses. Legal sites have licensing information easily available on their websites and within their apps. Click through the available links for more regulatory and legal information about your chosen sportsbook.
Is My Money Safe With Online Sportsbooks?
Yes. Legal online sportsbooks use high-level encryption tools. SSL is one such tool, and it protects your data, including financial information, from hackers as it travels from your device to your sportsbook. Regulated sports betting sites use technology on par with security tools used by banking institutions and online shopping sites.
Are Sportsbook Winnings Taxable?
In most cases, yes. States often set a threshold for taxable winnings. If you win a significant amount of money, you will have to pay income taxes on those funds. Laws vary by state, so check with your sportsbook’s support team or your state’s gaming oversight organization for more information.
Is My Personal Information Safe When Betting Online?
Yes. You’ll need to provide your social security number, location, and other info when you sign up for a sportsbook. Your data is encrypted before it’s sent to the sportsbook, and only the sportsbook’s systems can view it to confirm your age and identity.
The SSN and location requirements also stop hackers from creating dummy accounts in an attempt to steal information from sportsbooks.
Types Of Sports Bets
Sports bets can be a bit daunting for beginners, but they’re not too complicated once you get a grasp on the most common available wagers. Here are some of the most common bets at legal sportsbooks.
Moneyline, Point Spreads, And Totals
These three bets are often listed side by side and are commonly the first bets you’ll see for a given match-up.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets simply require you to choose a winner of a given match. The odds (which we cover below) on that match then determine how much you win if you chose correctly. If you see moneyline bets available, all you have to do is pick the team or player you expect to win.
Point Spreads
Point spreads are intended to even the playing field for a match. Instead of picking an outright winner, you’re betting on the margin of victory. Here’s an example of how a point spread bet might look:
- Chicago Bears -3.5
- Green Bay Packers +3.5
The 3.5 on both teams represents the margin of victory, and players have to decide whether the Bears will win by at least 3.5 points. After the game ends, if you selected the Bears and they won 24-20, you would collect on your bet because they won by 4 points. If the final score was Bears 21 Packers 20 and you selected the Bears, you would lose your bet because they did not win by at least 3.5 points.
Totals
If you’ve heard the term “over/under,” it’s likely been in reference to totals bets. Totals take the final combined total score of both teams in a match and have players bet on whether that score will be over or under a certain threshold. Using our example match-up above, it might look like this:
- Bears vs. Packers, Over/Under 50.5
You would place a bet on either the over or the under. If the total points at the end of the game exceeded 50.5, the over wins. If the total is below 50.5, the under wins. If the score was 24-21, the total points would add to 45 and the under would be the winning bet.
Other Bet Types
You can find plenty of other bets at online sportsbooks, too. Each bet has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Parlays: you combine multiple simple bets into a single pool and you only win if every choice you make is correct. High payout potential, but harder to win than a single bet.
- Futures: bet on a match occurring in the future. For example, betting on an NFL champion before the regular season begins. High risk, high reward.
- In-Game/Live Betting: wager on events happening in a currently live match.
- Proposition (Prop) Bet: wager on an in-game event not necessarily affecting the final score or outcome. For example: will Tom Brady score two passing touchdowns in the first half?
How To Read Sports Betting Odds
Odds determine how much you’ll receive if you bet correctly. To new bettors, they can be intimidating, but they’re easier to understand than they look at first glance.
How Odds Are Determined
Odds are first set by the likelihood of one outcome to occur over the other. You will almost always see a higher payout on an unlikely bet than a wager on the favorite of a match. Once the initial odds are set, they can change based on how many bettors are wagering on either side. This is to balance out the sportsbook’s earnings on each bet.
Odds could also change based on events outside of a game. For example, if a starting quarterback is unexpectedly benched due to an injury, the odds on that team to win could plummet.
Understanding Odds
At US sportsbooks, odds are displayed as positives and negatives. Let’s use a moneyline bet as an example and pretend once again the Bears are playing the Packers:
- Bears +112
- Packers -136
When a team has a negative number (Packers -136), it means that team is favored to win the match. A positive number (Bears +112) means that team is the underdog. These odds also determine payouts.
If you bet on the favorite (Packers -136), you would need to wager $136 to win $100. Negative odds essentially mean you need to bet that amount to win $100.
Betting on the underdog is slightly different. The +112 on the Bears means you would win $112 if you bet $100. Because the underdog is less likely to win statistically, the payout potential is better.
Find The Best Odds
If multiple sportsbooks are available in your state, peruse the available odds to find the best possible payouts. PointsBet, for example, usually offers great odds on the underdog while FanDuel tends to give better payouts on the favorite. These change frequently, so always check your options before you place a bet.
See our fullGuide To Sports Betting Odds.
Sports Betting Words To Know
Action | Having “action” is meant to indicate you have a vested interest in a match. If you placed a bet on a match, you could say you have “action” on that match. |
Bonus | An added benefit or reward, usually given to new players as a thank you or to frequent players for crossing certain spending thresholds |
Bankroll | The amount of money you’re willing to risk or bet at a sportsbook |
Edge | An advantage, either real or perceived, that a bettor has over the sportsbook’s odds |
Even Money | A bet with a 50-50 outcome, aka an even chance for either side to win |
Handle | Number of bets taken by a sportsbook |
Lines | Another term for point spread. A “line” is set on matches with a favorite and an underdog to make the outcome more even. |
Live betting | Wagering on a game or match after it has already started. |
Margin | The difference between the odds of a match and the true probability of the outcome. |
Odds | Numbers assigned to bets meant to indicate the likelihood of specific outcomes. |
Prop bet | A bet on an in-game event not likely to affect the outcome of the match. For example: Will Khalil Mack record a sack in the second half? |
Push | Result of a tie between the bettor and the sportsbook. No money is won and no money is lost in a push, you keep your wager but receive no winnings. |
Spread | Like “lines,” a spread is set to encourage bets on either side of a match-up by giving a point advantage to the predicted underdog. |
Exotics | Exotics are less common bet types beyond point spreads, moneylines, or totals. Some might consider parlays or pro bets to be “exotic.” |
Placing Online Sports Bets FAQ
21. Regulated states require gamblers to be at least 21 years of age to place a bet. When you sign up for a sports betting account, you will provide your date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number to confirm you’re old enough to participate.
It’s difficult to say if there’s one frontrunner. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, PointsBet, and FOX Bet could all be considered the best for different reasons.
If you look at revenue by state, DraftKings is the undisputed leader in the sports betting arena. In terms of overall experience and app functionality, PointsBet gives DraftKings a run for its money. Bottom line: it comes down to personal preference.
Yes. There are plenty of sports betting apps available in Las Vegas, most of them operated by Sin City casinos. To place bets online in Nevada, you have to be within the state, which will be confirmed by geolocation.
Most regulated sportsbooks already have Super Bowl future bets available, so you can bet on your favorite team to win the big game.
For more specific Super Bowl bets like moneyline, point spreads, and totals, you’ll have to wait until the playing teams are revealed and odds are set.
Yes. College sports betting is allowed in almost every state that has legal sports betting. Some states have specific restrictions, though. In Illinois, for example, you can’t bet on any match that includes an in-state college or university. Regulated sportsbooks won’t offer bets that are deemed illegal in that specific jurisdiction, or they’d risk losing their license to operate.
Not across the board. In fact, most states completely ban betting on high school sports for fear of league corruption. High school sports are considered amateur events, and almost every regulated sports betting market prohibits amateurs betting.
In some states. Not every state allows election betting. Because the overturning of PASPA gave states the right to regulate sports betting on an individual basis, election betting availability varies widely. Some states have chosen to allow it while others bar it completely.
No. Currently, 12 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized and launched sports betting.
Other states–Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia, to name a few–have legalized sports betting but haven’t launched any sportsbooks yet.
Some remaining states are in the early process of building legislation to allow sports betting, such as California and Massachusetts.
Only a select few states, such as Texas, have specifically moved to stop sports betting legislation.
So, you want to make your first online sports bet? We’re going to assume it’s your first bet since you’re here reading this guide. If it’s not your first bet, but it’s just been a while, we totally get that, too. Technology changes quickly.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through every single step of the online sports betting process. We’ll start by talking about what you need to get set up to facilitate your bet. Then, we’ll discuss selecting the actual bet that you want to make. Once all of that information is out of the way, we’ll dive into making your actual bet and close with how to collect your winnings. We’re also going to assume you’re super sharp and going to crush this first bet.
By the time you finish with this guide, you will have 100% of the information you need to get out there and make your first real-money online sports bet. Exciting, isn’t it? We think so! Our team of experts were all beginners once and can all attest that they wish they had someone to walk them through the process.
Getting Things Set Up
The first step in making an online sports bet is getting your account set up. It’s not as easy as just shoving dollar bills into your USB drive and yelling the bets you want at the computer screen. It would be awesome if it were, but sadly, we don’t live in that world yet.
Below, you’ll find the steps you need to complete to place your first bet. Each step has its own dedicated guide in case you need some more explanations of what to do. Everything should be pretty easy and straightforward, but we wanted you to be prepared in case you had any issues.
Select an Online Sportsbook
Since we’ve already determined that we can’t just yell at our computers, you’ll have to find a sportsbook willing to take your yelling and action. Thankfully, there are tons of great options for you to choose from that offer extensive action on all of your favorite sports and some you’ve probably never even heard of.
While “tons of options” is surely a great thing, it can also make actually making a decision a challenge. Welp, good luck! Kidding, kidding. We would never just throw you out to the wolves on what is actually an important decision. You see, unfortunately, there are a lot of bad apples out there in the online betting industry. These sites don’t deliver on their promises, are sometimes untrustworthy, and offer a betting experience that is “sub-par” (that’s the nice way of putting it).
Allow us to help. Below, you’ll find a few things. First, you’ll see our list of recommended online sportsbooks. These are the highest rated, most trusted online sportsbooks offering the best action on the most sports. Basically, these are the sites you want to play at.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
But if you want some more information before you make a decision, we also have a link below to a dedicated guide walking you through every step to select the best sportsbook for you. We know you’ll be blown away by the quality of the sites we’ve recommended, but we know some people just like to take important decisions a little slower, and we respect that.
Fund Your Sportsbook Account
Once you’ve picked out the best sportsbook for you, it’s time to put some money into that account. This can be a scary process for a lot of people because it’s something they’ve never done before. Good news, we’re going to walk you through it step by step. We’re even willing to hold your hand if that will make things a little bit better for you.
In all seriousness, this process should be one that is simple and headache-free. Typically, the online sportsbook will walk you through the process by giving you your options and letting you know everything that you need to get your account quickly funded.
One side note that we want to mention. Don’t feel like you need to load your entire bankroll online right off the bat. If you are brand new to this, start with a small deposit to get your feet wet. If you end up loving it and want to move your whole bankroll online, then go for it. But we want you to realize that baby steps are just fine here.
Below, we’ve got a fully dedicated guide directing you through the funding process. We’ll give you step by step instructions, how to deal with issues that might arise, the different methods you have for funding, and some tips to help make the process smoother and ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Selecting a Bet
The administrative work is out of the way! Your account is set up, and there is money sitting in your account and burning a hole in your virtual pocket. Now, what to bet? Well, if you already have a hot tip or prediction, then, by all means, go ahead and make that bet. But if you’re brand new to this and have no idea where to start, we’re here to help.
What we’re going to do is give you a bunch of resources to help you make the pick that gives you the best chance of winning. Take some time and choose the link below that best fits what it is that you’re looking for.
Our Picks
One of the coolest free resources that we offer at TheSportsGeek.com is our sports betting picks from our team of expert bettors. Not only will we give you our picks in real time, but we’ll walk you through the reasoning behind these picks. You can make your wagers right along with our pros and hopefully walk away from the book a winner.
These picks are updated daily and span a ton of different sports. If you don’t feel like doing the work or research yourself, this is a great place to start for selecting a bet or bets to make.
The Training Grounds
Some of you may be on this page from The Training Grounds already, so we don’t need to explain the value there to you. But if you found your way to this guide from somewhere else, let us introduce you to one of our coolest free resources available on the site. The Training Grounds is our online “school” for beginner sports bettors.
Not only do we walk you through things like “How to make an online sports bet,” but we also offer some great foundational strategy. If you’re really interested in making your own expert picks, then this is where you should start. The Training Grounds is packed full of information, strategy guides, and how-to’s to help you start learning how to make the best picks possible.
For example, we have a dedicated guide on How to Research Your Sports Betting Picks that walks you through all of the different ways you can research a game or match that you’re interested in. This is just one example of the resources we have for you there. If you’re ready to take your betting to the next level, click on over there and check out this amazing free resource. There is nothing else like it on the web.
The Strategy Section
If you already consider yourself advanced when it comes to sports betting online, you may want a little more advanced betting strategy to help you select your pick. As TheSportsGeek.com’s original purpose was to cater to advanced bettors, we have a ton of great resources to help you out. The link below will take you to our dedicated strategy section.
In this section, you’ll be able to find strategy guides separated by sport and by bet type. Additionally, we have some very advanced guides that get into online betting math and higher-level strategies that you can use to crush the books. These are not ideal for complete beginners, but we wanted you to know they were there and will be waiting for you when you’re ready. Oh, did we mention they’re free as well?
Making Your Bet
It seems like we’ve covered so much, and we’re just now getting to the meat and potatoes of the article. Let’s talk about how to actually make your bet! You have your account set up, your account is funded, and you’ve selected the bet that you want to make.
If you’re betting at a great sportsbook, the next part of this equation is going to be pretty easy. If you’re not at a great sportsbook, this is the point in the timeline where that is going to become very evident.
The first thing you need to do is log into your sports betting account. If you just created your account, you’re probably already logged in. Using the menus, navigate to the sport and the game that you are interested in betting. Most sportsbooks have a menu on the left-hand side of the screen that allows you to select the sport, and then there may be a dropdown for the particular league you’re looking for.
If you want to bet an NBA game, you may have to select “basketball” first and then select “NBA” from a drop-down menu. Once you do this, all the games should populate to the center of the screen.
Find the game or match you want to bet and click the type of bet you want. If you don’t immediately see the type of bet you want, you can usually click a “more” button that can take you to the full listings of wagers available for that particular game, match, or race.
The next thing you need to do is check the odds on the bet and make sure they are to your liking. The odds will typically be presented in American odds format (example: +110). If this is not your desired format, most good sportsbooks will have an option you can select to change all of the odds to the format that you prefer (decimal or fraction). This is usually located at the top right of the screen.
When you click on the bet that you want, it should populate into a virtual betting slip, most likely on the right-hand side of the screen. Here is where you’ll be able to put in the bet amount that you would like to make. When you type in the bet amount, it should also tell you exactly how much you stand to win if you make a correct prediction. Some sportsbooks will show you your profit number, and some will show you the full amount that will be returned to you.
What’s the difference? Well, profit is the amount you are getting back not including your original bet. The amount returned is your profit plus the original bet you are getting back. For example, let’s say you are making a $20 bet at even money (meaning you get paid $20 if you win). Your profit on a correct bet would be $20. Your returned amount would be $40. This is because the sportsbook gives you your original bet back and then gives you the money you won on top of that. If they only gave you $20 back, you wouldn’t have made any money! Instead, they put the original $20 you bet into your account and then the $20 in profit as well. Just make sure when you are betting that you know which one the sportsbook is using.
If you like the amount you would receive for a correct pick, then it’s time to finalize the bet. Before you click the “confirm” or “bet” button, make sure you read the entire bet slip to make sure you are betting on what you want to bet on. It’s easy to click on the wrong bet or select something by accident, especially if you’re in a hurry.
Take your time and confirm that everything is correct and to your liking. Once you have confirmed this, click the “bet” button! Some sites might require you to click a “confirm” button, but some will only require one click. Once the bet has been made, double check it one more time for accuracy. Make sure that nothing got lost in translation and that the amount, game, bet type, and odds are still correct.
If for some reason the odds are not correct, contact support immediately to let them know you have an issue with a bet you just made. Do not wait one second. A reputable sports betting online website with a great staff will get this handled for you quickly and without issue. If you wait even a few minutes, though, you may start to run into problems.
One thing that could happen during the betting process is that the odds might change. Depending on the sports betting online site you are at, this will be handled a little differently. Some sites update the odds in real time and will pop up a notice on your betting ticket before you even click the “submit” button. When this happens, you will have the option of accepting the new odds or canceling the bet. Sometimes the odds will move in your favor, and sometimes they will move against you. Most of the time, they won’t move at all in that short of a time frame, but it does happen.
If it does, take a look at the new odds and decide if you are okay with them. If they moved in your favor, awesome! Of course you are going to like those. If they moved against you, you have to reassess if you still like the bet and still feel like it has the value you are looking for. If you decide it does, then proceed with the process. If you decided it doesn’t, though, just close out the bet and start looking for something else you like. There is no reason to force a bet just to get some action.
Once you’ve made your bet or bets, it’s time to sit back and wait! You’ve done your job, and now it’s time for the team or player you selected to do theirs. The process of making a bet can be scary at first, which is why we recommend starting with a few small bets to get the hang of things. That way, if you happen to make some sort of mistake, you can learn for cheap. We don’t anticipate that you’re going to make a mistake, but it does happen from time to time. As long as you are double and triple checking the bets you are making, you should have no problems.
Collecting Your Winnings
You won your bet! Congrats. The next step is collecting your winnings. If you’re in the process of building a bankroll, you might not want to collect your winnings right away, which is totally fine. In fact, most people don’t draw their first cash-out for quite some time, as they like to ride the winning wave and build up their bankroll.
If you’re ready to withdraw, though, the process is very straightforward. Online sportsbooks offer a bunch of different options for you to choose from. To help you out with the process, we’ve created a dedicated guide with all of the details you might need to get your money offline and into your pocket quickly.
How To Place Bets Online
The guide includes a step-by-step breakdown of how to withdraw your money, a look at the most popular options for withdrawing, and a bunch of awesome tips to help make the process a lot smoother. There are some tips of things you should do now (before you even want to withdraw), so we highly recommend taking a quick peek at that guide now so that you’re fully prepared.
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In Conclusion
Place A Bet On Nfl
Well, that’s all there is to it! It really is as simple as opening an account, putting some money on, picking out a bet, and clicking the “confirm bet” button. We did our best to be as over-the-top thorough as possible, though, just to make sure that we covered every instance that you might run into. Sports betting online is supposed to be fun even if it’s something you’re taking very seriously. We wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great online betting career.
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