Sportsbetting is a fun way to get more engaged in the game of your choice by placing a wager that has the potential to earn you profits. But, before you place your first bet, know how payouts work. This way, you can better assess the risk-to-reward ratio of each bet you consider. Knowing the profit possibilities will help you narrow down your selection of wagers to those that are best suited to your financial situation and strategy.

The most common types of sports betting bets are moneylines and spreads. Moneyline bets involve picking the winner of a specific game, and your win is determined by each team’s probability of winning, which is clearly marked in the odds. Spread bets, on the other hand, aim to make uneven games more fair by adjusting the odds. In most cases, this involves adding points to the underdog and subtracting points from the favorite, which gives bettors a greater chance of winning.

Another popular type of bet is the “over/under.” This bet is based on predicting whether a game’s two involved teams will combine for more (Over) or less (Under) than the total amount posted by the sportsbook. For example, if a game’s total is 42.5, you could bet on the Over if you expect a defensive slugfest with a high number of combined points. Over/Under bets are generally safer than other bets, but you should always be mindful of the risk-to-reward ratio before placing your wager.