Quick Answer: What Are the Types of Sports Bets?
There are over 20 different types of sports bets. The most common betting types are:
- Moneyline - Pick the winner (easiest for beginners)
- Point Spread - Bet on margin of victory
- Totals (Over/Under) - Bet on combined score
- Parlays - Combine multiple bets for bigger payouts
- Props - Bet on player/team statistics
- Futures - Bet on season-long outcomes
- Live Betting - Bet during games in real-time
Best for beginners: Start with moneylines, spreads, and totals. Best for experienced bettors: Props, parlays, teasers, and live betting offer more value opportunities.
Master Every Type of Sports Bet
Understanding all types of sports bets is essential for betting success. Whether you're learning betting types explained for the first time or exploring advanced strategies, this guide covers every bet type from basic moneylines to complex systems.
20+ Betting Types
31+ Calculators
12 Expert Guides
Understanding all types of sports bets is essential for betting success. While most guides cover basic betting types, this comprehensive resource explains every bet type from simple moneylines to complex systems, plus reveals how athletic performance data creates unique advantages in each.
This guide covers types of sports bets in depth, from beginner-friendly moneylines to advanced system bets, and explains how sports science, fitness metrics, and real athletic testing can shift value between markets. Whether you want to learn what the different types of betting are, explore best sports betting sites for a specific sport, or find calculators and tracking tools for different types of bets, this page is your one-stop reference.
Basic Betting Types Every Beginner Must Know
These are the most popular sports bet types that every bettor should understand. Master these four basic betting types before moving on to more advanced wagers.
1. Moneyline Bets
What is a moneyline bet? A moneyline bet is the simplest type of sports bet where you simply pick the winner. No point spreads or margins - just choose which team or player will win.
How moneyline odds work:
- Positive odds (+150) = Underdog. Bet $100 to win $150 profit.
- Negative odds (-150) = Favorite. Bet $150 to win $100 profit.
When to use moneylines: Best for low-scoring sports like baseball, hockey, and soccer, or when you want a simple win/lose outcome without worrying about margins.
Example: Lakers (-200) vs Celtics (+170). Bet $200 on Lakers to win $100, or bet $100 on Celtics to win $170.
Use our Moneyline Calculator to convert odds and find implied probabilities.
2. Point Spread Bets
What is a point spread bet? A point spread bet levels the playing field by assigning a margin of victory to the favorite. The favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog can lose by less than the spread (or win outright).
How spreads work:
- Favorite (-7.5) = Must win by 8+ points to cover
- Underdog (+7.5) = Can lose by up to 7 points and still win the bet
- Standard odds: -110 on both sides (bet $110 to win $100)
Example: Chiefs -7.5 (-110) vs Raiders +7.5 (-110). If Chiefs win 28-24, they win by 4 but don't cover the 7.5 spread. Raiders +7.5 wins.
Use our Spread Calculator to analyze margins and payouts.
3. Totals (Over/Under) Bets
What is a totals bet? A totals bet (also called over/under) is a wager on the combined score of both teams. You bet whether the total will go OVER or UNDER the number set by the sportsbook.
How totals work:
- Over 48.5 = Combined score must be 49+ points
- Under 48.5 = Combined score must be 48 or fewer points
- Standard odds: -110 on both sides
Key factors: Pace of play, weather (for outdoor sports), offensive/defensive matchups, and recent scoring trends.
Example: Game ends 31-24 (total 55). Over 48.5 wins.
Use our Over/Under Calculator to test projections.
💰 Looking for the best odds on spreads and totals? Compare lines across sportsbooks to find the best value.
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4. Parlay Bets
What is a parlay bet? A parlay combines multiple bets into one wager. All selections (legs) must win for the parlay to pay out. Higher risk, but significantly higher payouts.
How parlays work:
- 2-leg parlay = ~2.6x payout (both must win)
- 3-leg parlay = ~6x payout (all three must win)
- 4-leg parlay = ~11x payout (all four must win)
- One loss = Entire parlay loses
Example: Parlay Chiefs -7, Lakers ML, Over 220 NBA. If all three hit, $100 bet could pay $600+.
Use our Parlay Calculator to calculate potential payouts.
Find the best parlay betting sites for enhanced parlay odds.
5. Same Game Parlays (SGP)
What is a same game parlay? A same game parlay (SGP) combines multiple bets from a single game into one wager. Unlike traditional parlays, SGPs allow correlated bets.
Popular SGP combinations:
- Team to win + Player to score + Game total
- Quarterback passing yards + Team total points
- First scorer + Final score margin
Why SGPs are popular: Focus your research on one game while getting parlay-level payouts.
Explore the best same game parlay sites for top SGP odds.
Basic Bet Types Comparison
Comparison of Basic Betting Types
| Bet Type |
Difficulty |
House Edge |
Best For |
Typical Payout |
| Moneyline |
Easy |
~4-5% |
Beginners |
Varies by odds |
| Point Spread |
Medium |
~4.5% |
Football, Basketball |
-110 standard |
| Totals (O/U) |
Medium |
~4.5% |
Statistical bettors |
-110 standard |
| Parlay |
Hard |
~10-25% |
Risk takers |
3x-100x+ depending on legs |
| Same Game Parlay |
Medium-Hard |
~15-30% |
Single-game focus |
2x-20x typical |
💡 Pro Tip: Start with moneylines and spreads. These basic betting types have the lowest house edge and are easiest to understand. Once comfortable, add totals and simple 2-leg parlays.
⭐ Top Sportsbooks for All Betting Types
📊 Key Facts: Types of Sports Bets
- 20+ betting types covered in this guide
- 4 basic bet types: Moneyline, Spread, Totals, Parlays
- Lowest house edge: Straight bets (moneyline, spread, totals) at ~4-5%
- Highest payouts: Parlays and exotic props (but higher risk)
- Most popular: Point spreads for football, moneylines for baseball
- Fastest growing: Same game parlays (SGPs) and player props
- 31+ calculators available to analyze each bet type
Advanced Betting Types for Experienced Bettors
Once you've mastered basic betting types, these advanced options offer more strategic opportunities and potentially better value for experienced bettors.
6. Teaser Bets
What is a teaser bet? A teaser lets you move point spreads or totals in your favor across multiple games, but for a reduced payout. Common teaser amounts are 6, 6.5, or 7 points.
Example: Instead of Chiefs -7 and Bills -3, a 6-point teaser gives you Chiefs -1 and Bills +3. Both must cover.
Use our Teaser Calculator to find value.
7. Pleaser Bets
What is a pleaser bet? A pleaser is the opposite of a teaser - you move lines against yourself for a much higher payout. High risk, high reward.
Example: Move Chiefs -7 to Chiefs -13 and Bills -3 to Bills -9 for a potential 6x+ payout.
8. Round Robin Bets
What is a round robin bet? A round robin creates multiple smaller parlays from your selections, spreading risk while maintaining upside.
Example: Pick 3 teams → Creates three 2-team parlays. If 2 of 3 win, you still get paid on one parlay.
Use our Round Robin Calculator to calculate combinations.
9. If Bets and Reverse Bets
What is an if bet? An if bet is a conditional wager - if Bet A wins, Bet B is automatically placed. Helps manage bankroll.
What is a reverse bet? A reverse bet covers both directions (A→B and B→A), providing more coverage.
10. Asian Handicaps
What is an Asian handicap? Asian handicaps use quarter and half-point lines to eliminate the draw in soccer. You can win, lose, or push partial stakes.
Common lines: +0.25, -0.5, +0.75, -1.25
Best for: Soccer betting where draws are common.
Use our Asian Handicap Calculator for conversions.
11. System Bets
What is a system bet? System bets (like 2/3 or 3/4) allow partial wins - you don't need all selections to hit.
Example: A 2/3 system with picks A, B, C creates 3 two-leg parlays. Win 2+ and you profit.
12. Middle Betting
What is middle betting? Middle betting involves betting both sides at different spreads, hoping the final margin lands in the "middle" for both to win.
Example: Bet Team A -3 early, then Team B +7 later. If Team A wins by 4, 5, or 6, both bets win.
13. Arbitrage Betting
What is arbitrage betting? Arbitrage exploits odds differences between sportsbooks to guarantee profit regardless of outcome.
Requires: Multiple sportsbook accounts, quick execution, and precise calculations.
Use our Arbitrage Calculator to find opportunities.
14. Exchange Betting
What is exchange betting? Exchange betting lets you bet against other players (not the house), offering better odds due to lower margins.
Options: Back (bet for) or Lay (bet against) any outcome.
Prop Bets Explained: Player Props, Team Props & Exotic Props
Prop bets (proposition bets) are wagers on specific events or statistics within a game, rather than the final outcome. Props are the fastest-growing betting market.
Where to bet props: Find the best prop betting sites for the widest selection with competitive odds.
15. Player Props
What are player props? Player props bet on individual athlete performance - stats like points, yards, rebounds, strikeouts, etc.
Popular player props by sport:
- NFL: Passing yards, rushing yards, receptions, touchdowns
- NBA: Points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers made
- MLB: Strikeouts, hits, home runs, RBIs
- NHL: Goals, assists, shots on goal, saves
- Soccer: Goals, assists, shots
Example: Patrick Mahomes Over 285.5 passing yards (-115)
16. Team Props
What are team props? Team props bet on collective team outcomes within a game.
Popular team props:
- Team totals: How many points one team scores
- First to score: Which team scores first
- Race to X points: First team to reach 10, 20, etc.
- Highest scoring quarter/half: When most points are scored
Example: Lakers team total Over 112.5 (-110)
17. Exotic Props
What are exotic props? Exotic props cover unusual or specialty markets beyond standard stats.
Examples:
- First touchdown scorer
- Will there be a safety?
- Coin toss result
- Player to record a triple-double
- Exact final score
🎯 Looking for player props? The best prop betting sites offer thousands of props daily across all major sports.
Best Prop Sites →
Prop Bet Value by Sport
Best Prop Bet Types by Sport
| Sport |
Best Value Props |
Key Factors |
| NFL |
Passing/rushing yards, anytime TD, receptions |
Game script, matchups, weather |
| NBA |
Points + rebounds + assists combos |
Minutes, pace, back-to-backs |
| MLB |
Pitcher strikeouts, hits allowed |
Matchup history, pitch count |
| NHL |
Shots on goal, goalie saves |
Ice time, power plays |
| Soccer |
Shots, corners, cards |
Form, fixture congestion |
Learn more: MLB Props Guide
Futures Betting Types
Futures bets are long-term wagers on outcomes decided weeks or months later. They typically offer higher payouts due to the extended timeframe and uncertainty.
18. Championship Futures
What are championship futures? Bets on which team will win a championship - Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc.
Best timing: Lines offer most value before the season or after key injuries/trades.
19. Division/Conference Futures
Bet on division winners, conference champions, or playoff qualifiers. Lower payouts than championships but easier to hit.
20. Season Win Totals
Over/under on how many games a team will win in a season. Requires projecting performance over months.
21. Award Futures (MVP, ROY, etc.)
Bet on individual awards like MVP, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, Defensive Player of the Year.
22. Tournament Futures
Bet on tournament winners - March Madness, World Cup 2026, golf majors, tennis Grand Slams.
Live Betting Types (In-Play Betting)
Live betting allows you to place bets while games are in progress. Odds change in real-time based on score, time, and game flow.
Where to bet live: Find the best live betting sites with fast odds and extensive markets.
23. Live Spreads and Totals
Same as pre-game spreads/totals but with constantly updating lines based on current score and time remaining.
24. Live Moneyline
Bet on which team will win at any point during the game. Odds shift dramatically with score changes.
25. Next Score/Event Props
Bet on what happens next - next team to score, next touchdown, next goal, etc.
26. Quarter/Half/Period Betting
Bet on specific segments of the game - first half spread, third quarter total, second period winner.
27. Cash Out Options
Many sportsbooks offer early cash out on live bets - take guaranteed profit or cut losses before the game ends.
Use our Cash Out Calculator to optimize timing.
Seasonal and Event-Specific Betting Types
Some betting markets only appear during specific times of year or around major events.
28. NFL Draft Betting
Bet on draft pick order, which team selects a player, total players drafted by position.
29. NFL Combine Betting
Bet on combine performance - 40-yard dash times, bench press reps, vertical jump.
30. March Madness Specials
Tournament-specific bets - Final Four teams, Cinderella runs, bracket pools.
31. Olympic Betting
Medal counts, event winners, head-to-head matchups in Olympic events.
Sport-Specific Betting Types
Different sports have unique bet types based on their rules, scoring, and structure.
Basketball-Specific Bets (NBA/NCAA)
- Double-double/Triple-double - Player achieves milestone
- Race to X points - First team to 10, 20, etc.
- Margin of victory - Exact winning margin ranges
- First basket - Which player scores first
Baseball-Specific Bets (MLB)
- First 5 innings (F5) - Result through 5 innings only
- Run line - Baseball's version of point spread (-1.5/+1.5)
- Grand slam - Will a grand slam occur?
- No-hitter/Perfect game - Rare event props
Learn more: How to Bet MLB
Hockey-Specific Bets (NHL)
- Puck line - Hockey spread (usually -1.5/+1.5)
- Period betting - Winner/totals by period
- Empty net goal - Will there be an empty net goal?
- Overtime - Will game go to OT?
Soccer-Specific Bets
- Both teams to score (BTTS) - Will both sides score?
- Correct score - Exact final score
- Draw no bet - Refund if game ties
- Double chance - Win or draw, lose or draw
- Asian handicap - Eliminates draw option
Learn more: Soccer Betting Guide | World Cup 2026
Unique Betting Types by Sport
Sport-Specific Betting Types Summary
| Sport |
Unique Bet Types |
Most Popular |
| NFL/NCAA Football |
First TD, Safety, Alt spreads |
Point spread |
| NBA/NCAA Basketball |
Triple-double, Race to X |
Spread, player props |
| MLB |
F5, Run line, Grand slam |
Moneyline |
| NHL |
Puck line, Period bets |
Puck line, moneyline |
| Soccer |
BTTS, Asian handicap |
Moneyline, BTTS |
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Choosing the Right Betting Types for You
Match your experience level and goals to the best betting types:
Betting Type Recommendations by Experience Level
| Experience Level |
Recommended Bet Types |
Avoid |
| Beginner |
Moneylines, spreads, totals |
Large parlays, exotic props, teasers |
| Intermediate |
Player props, 2-3 leg parlays, SGPs |
Arbitrage, exchange betting |
| Advanced |
Live betting, teasers, systems, futures |
Random large parlays without edge |
| Professional |
Arbitrage, middle betting, line shopping |
High-hold parlays without correlation |
Betting Type Selection by Goal
- Maximize value: Straight bets (moneyline, spread, totals) with line shopping
- Entertainment/big wins: Parlays, SGPs, exotic props
- Consistent profit: Props with research edge, live betting
- Low risk: Small spreads, heavy favorites moneyline
"Understanding the relationship between athletic performance metrics and betting markets creates a significant advantage for informed bettors. The key is identifying which physical factors directly impact specific bet types - fatigue affects totals, depth impacts spread coverage, and individual fitness drives prop value."
— Robert Wood, PhD, Exercise Physiologist, University of Western Australia
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Sports Bets
What are the different types of sports bets?
The main types of sports bets include: Moneyline (pick the winner), Point Spread (margin of victory), Totals/Over-Under (combined score), Parlays (multiple bets combined), Props (player/team statistics), Futures (long-term outcomes), Live Betting (in-game wagers), Teasers (adjusted spreads), Asian Handicaps (eliminates draws), and System Bets. This guide covers 20+ betting types in detail.
What are the most popular sports bet types for beginners?
The most popular sports bet types for beginners are: (1) Moneyline - simply pick the winner, easiest to understand; (2) Point Spread - bet on margin of victory, standard -110 odds; and (3) Totals/Over-Under - bet on combined score. These have the lowest house edge (~4-5%) and are available at all major sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is the simplest type of sports bet - you just pick which team or player will win. Odds show as positive (+) for underdogs (bet $100 to win that amount) or negative (-) for favorites (bet that amount to win $100). Example: +150 means bet $100 to win $150; -150 means bet $150 to win $100.
What is a point spread bet?
A point spread bet is a wager on the margin of victory. The favorite has a negative spread (-7.5) meaning they must win by more than that number. The underdog has a positive spread (+7.5) meaning they can lose by fewer points or win outright. Standard odds are -110 on both sides.
What is the difference between a parlay and a same game parlay?
A traditional parlay combines bets from different games - all legs must win. A same game parlay (SGP) combines multiple bets from a single game, allowing correlated bets like a team winning AND a player scoring. SGPs are popular because you can focus research on one game while getting enhanced odds. Find the best SGP sites here.
Which betting type has the best odds?
No single betting type always has the best odds. Straight bets (moneyline, spread, totals) typically have the lowest house edge at ~4-5%. Parlays have higher house edges (10-25%) but offer bigger payouts. For best value, compare odds across multiple sportsbooks using our sportsbook comparison tool.
How many types of sports betting are there?
There are 20+ common betting types including moneylines, spreads, totals, parlays, SGPs, teasers, pleasers, round robins, if bets, Asian handicaps, system bets, player props, team props, exotic props, futures, live betting, middle betting, arbitrage, exchange betting, and each-way betting. Many sports also have unique sport-specific bet types.
What are prop bets?
Prop bets (proposition bets) are wagers on specific events or statistics within a game. Player props bet on individual stats (points, yards, strikeouts). Team props bet on team stats (first to score, team total). Exotic props cover unusual outcomes (first TD scorer, coin toss). Props are available at most major sportsbooks.
What is live betting?
Live betting (in-play betting) lets you place bets while games are in progress. Odds change in real-time based on score, time, and game flow. Options include live spreads, live totals, next scorer props, and quarter/period betting. Live betting is available at most major sportsbooks.
What are futures bets?
Futures bets are long-term wagers on outcomes decided weeks or months later. Examples include championship winners (Super Bowl, NBA Finals), MVP awards, division winners, and season win totals. Futures offer higher payouts due to extended timeframes and uncertainty. Lines are available before and during seasons.
Do all sportsbooks offer every bet type?
No. Availability varies by sportsbook, sport, and region. Most US sportsbooks offer moneylines, spreads, totals, parlays, and props. Niche markets like Asian handicaps, exchange betting, and certain exotic props may only be available at specific books. Compare sportsbooks to find the best options for your preferred bet types.
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