Online Betting 101
You will also find advice on how best to manage your bankroll like a pro, and you will be kept updated with industry news, features and analysis.
We are determined to help our readers find the best betting sites too. We have reviewed all the main betting sites that accept American players.
You can read reviews of sportsbooks like BetUS, BetOnline, MyBookie, Bookmaker.eu, Bovada, Everygame, GTBets, DraftKings, FanDuel, WynnBET and BetMGM. Also check out our guide on how to find your ideal sportsbook, as that will help you make the right choice.
The reviews focus on bonuses, promos, banking methods, payout speeds, customer service, user experience, the sharpness of the odds, security, betting limits and other important factors for online bettors.
We have compiled a strong team of reviewers, writers, educators and analysts to provide the editorial content on this website. It is regularly updated, ensuring you benefit from relevant useful advice, reviews and insight.
We hope you enjoy learning about how to wager at Online Betting 101. If you have any questions, visit the contact us page and let us know how we can help.
We walk you through the entire online betting process. You will find guides on how to set up an online gambling account, how to make a deposit and how to claim a bonus.
There are guides on completing a KYC process and withdrawing winnings from an online betting account too.
You will also learn how to place the most popular bets and what they mean, include moneyline bets, spreads, totals, parlays and prop bets. We will teach you what the odds mean, allowing you to calculate your potential payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Betting 101 is a website that provides clear, detailed information about how to place online wagers at sportsbooks and casinos. It is not an online gambling site, but it helps readers understand online betting and steers them towards trustworthy betting sites that offer great value.
Online Betting 101 provides a hub of information for anyone that wants to learn how to bet. It is mainly targeted at beginners to online betting, providing them with helpful advice and information. It also reviews online betting sites to help players find trusted, reputable brands and avoid scam sites.
You need to sign up with an online sportsbook and make a deposit first. We have provided a list of reputable sites for anyone to choose from. Then you can find a game, click on a market – such as the spread, moneyline or total – and it will pop up on the bet slip, allowing you to choose your bet amount and confirm.
A moneyline bet is a prediction on who will win a game. In sports like football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis and table tennis, there are only two options: home win or away win. In soccer and boxing there are three options, as there can be a draw, while in sports like NASCAR and golf there are lots of different options.
A totals bet is a prediction on how many points there will be in a game. It is also known as an over/under bet. For example, you might be able to over 219.5 points in a game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Cleveland Cavaliers at odds of -110, or under 219.5 points in the game at -110.
A spread bet is a prediction on who will cover a points handicap line set by the betting sites. For example, if the Detroit Lions are 2.5-point favorites against the Minnesota Vikings, you can bet on Detroit -2.5 or Minnesota +2.5. If you bet on the Lions, they need to win by 3 or more points.
A parlay is a combination bet that includes several different legs. For example, you could bet on the Giants, the Ravens, the 49ers and the Rams all to win on the same weekend. All four teams need to win, but if they do, you can look forward to a nice profit.
A bankroll is the amount of money you will use for online betting over a certain period, such as an NFL season or a calendar year. You can assign a portion of the bankroll for each bet you place, as that ensures you ride out losing streaks and stay in the game.
You will be able to click on a “Deposit” option within the account section of an online betting site. It will list the available methods – such as Visa, MasterCard, a wire transfer, Skrill, Neteller and Bitcoin – and you can choose one. Type in how much you want to deposit and confirm, and the funds will be in your account almost instantly.
There will be a “Withdraw” option in the account section of your online sportsbook. Head into that section, and you will be able to choose from a list of payment methods. Enter the withdrawal amount and confirm the transaction.
Click the button on the sports betting site homepage that says “Join Now” or “Register” and you will get a registration form. Fill it in with personal details and quickly verify your identity to set up your online sports betting account.
A prop bet is a prediction on an event taking place during a game. It could be the method of the first score, the highest scoring quarter, the number of yards a QB will throw or a player to hit a home run. Prop bets are separate to the result of a game.