If you’re wondering how to choose a sportsbook on a sports betting site, you need to consider 4 things:
- Choice of sports
- Types of wager
- Bonuses offered
- The site’s reputation
We’re here to help you find the best option for you, and we’ll be judging by these criteria. Never take the first offer on its word – know what type of site suits your needs, and stick to it.
Learn everything you need to confidently join an affiliate site with our handy guide.
What are the Sports Betting Options?
First up – what kind of sports are we talking about? Unless you’re one of those magical gamblers who can weigh a sport up at a glance and place a good wager, you’ll need to choose a site that offers sports you understand. If you don’t understand the sport, how will you place a useful bet? It is extremely important to ensure that you are getting good odds and fair lines for the sport you are most experienced betting on. If you are a new better, pick the sport you are the most familiar with.
Are More Options Better?
This is a difficult question. We’d cautiously say “yes” – as long as there are plenty of options within each sport. If a site is offering a wide variety of sports but online cursory betting options for each sport, it’s probably best to steer clear. You want variety, but you want to be able to go in-depth where it suits you most.
Sites offering a limited number of sports but advanced betting options in those fields are often a good bet. You often find good odds on betting websites that specialize in just a few sports. You should always vet smaller websites thoroughly before you deposit any money.
How to Choose a Sports Betting Site That Plays to Your Strengths
Before you deposit any money, take a look at your options. Ask yourself:
- Is there a sport I know well enough to make accurate predictions on?
- Are there in-depth options in this field?
- What types of wager can I place?
- Do the bonuses suit my playing style?
We’ll take a detailed look at a couple of these categories below. The golden rule is never to make a wager on something you don’t understand. Playing to your strengths means knowing your weaknesses – live by that.
What Types of Sports Betting Does It Offer?
The betting options offered by a website are just as important as its range of sports. These are the major options you’ll find on the most reputable websites.
Moneyline
This is simply wagering that one team or player will win. It’s the most straightforward type of bet. The juice on the line will vary from sport to sport, and game to game.
Point Spread
This means you’re gambling on the margin of victory. For example, you might wager that a team wins a game by at least 10 points – some sites allow you to be very specific. You are usually able to buy points for more juice as well. Using basketball as an example, if team A is -7 for -110 odds, but you would rather place a wager on team A at -6.5, most sportsbooks will allow you to place the -6.5 wager at -120 or -130 odds. This will vary from book to book.
Over/Under
Over/under wagers include the total points scored in a game. You might bet that an NFL game would run over 40 points scored or that a soccer game would remain goalless.
Parlay
These are smaller wagers that depend on several results coming true as part of one bet. Parlay bets are a great way to turn a small investment into substantial winnings – they’re a great choice if you follow a sport obsessively and notice a few likely results on a single day or weekend. Winning parlays is difficult however, so proper bankroll management is a must.
Teasers
Teasers follow the same principle as Parlay bets. However, the player will get a better line for worse odds. For example, in a 6 point NFL teaser, you can swing the line 6 points in your favor, no matter which team you bet on. However, the odds are worse. A parlay of both team A and team B at -7 will on average pay out at +260 odds. If you did a teaser instead, you would have team A and team B at -1, however, the payout would be -120 or -130 depending on the sportsbook.
Props
This type of sports betting wager focuses on a certain player’s performance. These are only a good idea if you have in-depth knowledge of the way a team plays as well as how the player functions within the team.
Middles
Middling is placing bets on both sides. This dramatically reduces your potential winnings but means that your losses are manageable if things go wrong. This tends to be more successful for gamblers using higher sums.
Futures
Future bets mean that you’re wagering on a long-term outcome rather than a single game. For example, picking a division winner or conference winner before the season starts.
Live Sports Betting
These highly popular sports betting wagers can be made and cashed out during play (depending on the website). Many live wagers are made at reduced odds because they’re based on something that has just happened.
For example, you’ll get a high chance of reward betting that a golfer scores a birdie if his first 2 shots have landed him on the green on a par 4. However, you’ll get worse odds making this wager than before he teed off. It’s a good way to make safe, small-margin bets.
What Sports Betting Bonuses Does It Offer?
If you’re wondering how to choose a sports betting site, you should check what bonuses it offers—these range from introductory offers to matchday prospects. Every book has different offers, so it is wise to compare books until you find a bonus that fits your style.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses for Frequent Players
Frequent players might take advantage of boosted odds on parlay bets or props, as these typically require expert knowledge to use effectively. Less regular players should be wary of boosted offers on categories that they don’t understand – the golden rule is to not touch a wager if you don’t know why you’re making it.
Frequent players and experts can shop around websites offering a range of bonuses on different sports, but what’s in it for the casual gambler? Here are the best bonus options for occasional players.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses for Occasional Players
Boosted Moneyline odds are among the most common offerings of reputable sports betting sites, and they’re perfect for occasional gamblers. Sign-up offers are also well worth a look, as these offer some of the most attractive odds you’ll see.
You should never make a bet “just for” a bonus – you can still lose. However, a good bonus on a wager you understand is a heady prospect.
Is It a Well-Regarded Sports Betting Site?
Vet the site thoroughly. Does it have a Trustpilot rating? Is it well-known in the gambling community? Does it carry a scam warning?
A good rule of thumb for how to choose a sports betting site is to never give it any information if you don’t know why you need to supply it. Ask your bank if you don’t know why you need to submit certain details.
How to Choose a Sports Betting Site – Verdict
Find a provider that suits your level. Check for bonuses that are relevant to you. Try betting strategies that can let you win.
Join an affiliate site today, and enjoy yourself responsibly.