Sportsbetting is a form of gambling that involves placing a wager on the outcome of a game or event. Sportsbooks set odds on these occurrences and allow bettors to place wagers on the side that they believe will win. The goal is to make money by correctly predicting the winning team or individual player while limiting losses. The amount a bettor wagers on a particular bet will depend on their bankroll and risk tolerance. It is a good idea to open a separate bank account for betting purposes and to only bet one to two percent of your total bankroll on any given play.

If you hear a phrase like “the sharp money is on…” that usually means the underdog is receiving more action than expected from high-stakes and professional bettors. This can result in lines moving and sometimes even sportsbooks adjusting their odds ahead of events. In short, you want to fade the public by taking note of line movements and paying close attention to who’s making the bets.

Props, short for proposition bets, are any wager that doesn’t fall under the umbrella of point spreads and moneylines. This includes anything from a specific player’s stats to the team’s home/away record. These bets typically require you to pay a higher price than standard bets, but they can provide an edge if you’re able to make informed decisions and avoid betting with your heart (i.e., not because the team has prettier uniforms).

It is also important to separate yourself from your fandom and only bet on teams that you actually know something about. Otherwise, you’re essentially betting with your gut and that will lead to bad bets and lost money.