Sportsbetting is an activity that involves placing a wager on the outcome of an upcoming event. It is a fun and exciting experience that can be both profitable and entertaining. However, it is important to understand the basics before getting started.

Moneyline bets are the most basic types of bets. These wagers are based on implied probabilities. A team with a higher probability of winning has a higher return than a team with a lower probability.

The most popular type of bet is the parlay. This type of bet involves picking two or more teams and making them play each other. There are many different parlay bets to choose from.

Point-spread bets are another common type of wager. In these bets, the favorite must win by a certain number of points. If the favorite wins by more than the point spread, the bet pays out.

The over/under bet is a wager on whether a team’s final combined score will be above or below a certain number. For example, if the team’s total is 66, and they end up winning by 22 points, the bet pays out.

The home/away factor is also a factor that can influence the outcome of a game. Bettors can also place bets on ties. Ties occur when a driver is disqualified or the two drivers have the same time.

Another common betting option is the futures bet. In this type of bet, the odds are based on a specific date. Most professional bettors do not prefer this type of bet.