Types of Betting at Sportsbooks – Sportsbooks are platforms that offer wagers on the outcomes of sporting events. Over time, sportsbook betting has developed into multiple formats to accommodate different sports, match structures, and audience interests. Each betting type focuses on a different aspect of a game, allowing predictions beyond simply choosing a winner. Understanding these betting categories helps explain how sportsbooks organize markets and why they appeal to a broad sports audience.
Moneyline Betting
Moneyline betting is the most straightforward form of sportsbook wagering. In this type, the focus is solely on which team or athlete will win the event. There are no point adjustments or additional conditions—only the final result matters. Because of its simplicity, moneyline betting is widely used across many sports, including soccer, baseball, and combat sports.
Point Spread Betting
Point spread betting is commonly used in sports where score differences can be significant, such as basketball and American football. The sportsbook assigns a handicap to balance the matchup. The favored team must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can either win outright or lose by less than the assigned margin. This system helps equalize perceived strengths between teams.
Totals (Over/Under) Betting
Totals betting, also known as over/under betting, involves predicting whether the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than a number set by the sportsbook. This type of betting does not require choosing a winning team, making it appealing to those who prefer focusing on overall game performance rather than match outcomes.
Parlay Betting
Parlay betting combines multiple selections into one wager. All selections must be correct for the parlay to be successful. Because the difficulty increases with each added selection, parlays typically offer higher potential returns. Parlays can include different games, sports, or betting types, making them one of the more complex sportsbook options.
Proposition (Prop) Bets
Proposition bets, often called prop bets, focus on specific events within a game rather than the final result. These may include individual player statistics, team achievements, or unique in-game occurrences. Prop bets are especially common in major sporting events and allow attention to be placed on smaller details within a match.
Futures Betting
Futures betting involves predicting outcomes that will be decided at a later time, such as league champions, tournament winners, or season awards. These bets are usually available well before the final outcome is known and remain open for extended periods. Futures betting highlights long-term performance rather than single-game results.
Live (In-Play) Betting
Live betting allows wagers to be placed while a sporting event is already underway. Odds adjust in real time based on the flow of the game, such as scoring changes or remaining time. This type of betting reflects the dynamic nature of live sports and emphasizes ongoing match developments.
Teaser Bets
Teaser bets are similar to parlays but allow adjusted point spreads or totals in exchange for reduced payouts. Multiple selections are still required, but the modified lines provide a different risk structure compared to standard parlay bets.