Sports betting is a form of gambling that involves placing wagers on various sporting events. It is increasingly popular in the United States and has been legalized or regulated in 20 states. In addition to the many online sportsbooks that are available, some states also allow in-person wagering at local casinos and racetracks.

The popularity of sports betting can be attributed to a number of factors, including intense media coverage of sporting events, an increased willingness to place wagers, and technology that makes it easier to place bets. These include television networks dedicated to sports, cellular phones that can be used to watch sporting events live or receive scores, and numerous online gambling sites that offer a variety of betting options.

A number of ways to bet on a sports game are available, including moneylines, spreads, parlays, and props. Each type of bet offers a different way to place your bets, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the specific terms associated with your chosen sport before making a wager.

Betting the Over/Under

Probably the most common and most straightforward type of bet is to wager on whether or not a particular team will win. A bet on the Over means that you predict that a team will win more (Over) or fewer (Under) points than the total posted by the sportsbook. For example, a Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks matchup has a total of 42.5. You would bet the Over if you thought that both teams combined for more points than 42.5 by the end of the game.

This can be a fun way to make a little extra cash on the side, as long as you stick to a budget and don’t get carried away. You’ll need to make a number of bets before you can start to see a return on your investment, but the returns are often very good if you follow a few simple rules.

Be sure to read independent/nonpartisan reviews from reputable sources and investigate each sportsbook you’re considering before placing your bets. This will help you to avoid scams and crooked operators.

Ensure you are located within the state that is legally allowed to offer sports betting before placing your bets, as this will protect you from being defrauded or misled. It’s also important to remember that geolocation services can falsely detect your location, so you may not be able to legally place a wager if you’re outside the legal boundaries of your state.

Use multiple books

A good strategy for sports betting is to open an account with as many sportsbooks as possible. This allows you to compare odds from a variety of bookmakers and “shop around” for the best value on each bet you place.

Do some quick research

The internet is a great place to find sportsbook reviews, so it’s always a good idea to do some quick research before you open an account. This will give you a chance to check out their reputation, security measures, and payment methods.