Sports betting has been a popular pastime for many sports enthusiasts for years, but it’s recently surged to new levels with all the buzz of legalization in the United States. The industry is booming right now thanks to online betting, and it’s no surprise that the curiosity of prospective bettors has been piqued.
Some folks gamble professionally, some place casual bets, and others are just looking to dip their toes in the wagering waters to see what it’s all about. In this day and age, you can place a bet on nearly every sport under the sun, so there is no shortage of options for those looking to get in on the action. Here are some of the best sports to bet on in 2022.
What Kinds of Bets Are There?
Before we dive into some of the popular sports to bet on, we’ll first explain some of the most common bets that are available. Here are a few that you will no doubt come across on any online betting site.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is when you pick a winner on the outcome of a game. This will include overtime as well. You will be provided odds (either fractional, decimal, or plus/minus) and will choose the team that you think will win. It’s as simple as that.
Point Spread
Point spread is when a betting site like Doc’s Sports has determined a handicap on the game. For example, a really good hockey team that is playing a really bad team might be favored by -2.5 goals.
This is a way of evening the playing field for sports bettors. You will now have to decide if you think the favorite will cover the spread. This means that if you bet on the favorite, they would have to win by three or more goals.
However, if you bet on the underdog, they can lose by 2 goals or fewer, and you will still win your bet.
Total
A ‘total’ bet is when you wager on whether or not the total score of a game will be over or under a number that is determined by the betting site. For instance, the odds might be 212.5 for a basketball game.
If you bet over, the two teams will have to combine for at least 213 points for you to win your bet. If you bet under, the teams will have to be held to 212 or fewer combined points for you to win.
Futures Bet
A futures bet is when you bet on something that takes place in, you guessed it, the future. Such as who will win the Stanley Cup.
The odds are usually available all year long and will change game by game. You can also place futures on bets like who will win the MVP or who will win the Rookie of the Year.
Prop Bet
A lot of sites offer proposition bets or props. This is when you will be able to place wagers on how a particular team or individual player will perform during a game. For example, you will be able to bet on whether or not a particular soccer player will score a goal in a game.
In-Play Bet
In-play betting, or live betting is when the sportsbook allows you to place bets while the game is going on. The odds will be changing at lightning speed as the game progresses. This can be an exciting way to ride the momentum and try to make money off hot streaks.
What Are the Best Sports To Bet On?
Now that we’ve covered the types of bets available, let’s take a look at some of the most popular sports. While this will be completely subjective, as everyone has their own preference, these are some of the top choices that the public likes to wager on.
National Football League
The NFL is huge when it comes to sports gambling. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry and continues to pick up steam. It’s particularly fun to bet on because there are so few games in the season, and every single one means a lot.
On top of that, a typical Sunday will usually have around 14 games, so you’ll have plenty of options.
National Basketball Association
The NBA is another big one for sports bettors. With 82 games on the slate for each team, there’s plenty to choose from all season long.
The NBA has turned into a high-scoring league in recent years, making it fun for bettors to wager on the total of a game or try their hand at a few prop bets. The college basketball tournament – March Madness, is also a hugely popular betting event.
Major League Baseball
You’ll never run out of games to bet on if you’re a fan of the MLB. With a whopping 162-game schedule that spans close to seven months, the wagering opportunities are endless.
Many people love the prop bets available in baseball such as deciding which pitcher in a game will perform better than the other, or which batter will get more hits than another.
National Hockey League
Canada’s favorite game has gained major traction in the U.S. and has sports bettors taking notice. Another long season of 82-game, hockey is a good choice for those looking for some action in those cold winter months.
The NHL offers most of the same bets that you’ll find in all of the other major sports.
Other Notables
Golf, or the PGA in particular, is starting to make waves in the betting world. Prop bets are fun in golf because a lot of sportsbooks will provide you with a group of a few golfers and you can bet on which one you think will perform the best in a tournament.
College sports are also big in the gambling world, particularly college football and college basketball. As mentioned above, March Madness is one of the biggest sports betting events of the year, and college football is popular on Saturdays all season long.
Get In on the Action Today
Those are some of the best sports to bet on, but depending on your taste, your options are basically limitless. These days you can wager on anything from Korean ping-pong to Swedish gymnastics.
It’s always a good idea to bet responsibly and remember to have fun. Be sure to have a look at the rest of our blog for more great sports articles.
