Types of Bets Guide: Moneyline, Spread & Totals Explained

If you’re new to betting, the different types of sports bets can feel confusing at first. You’ll see terms like moneyline, spread, and totals thrown around, but what do they actually mean?

Each type of bet has its own rules, and knowing them helps you place smarter wagers instead of relying on luck. It’s a bit like learning a new card game.

Once you understand how it works, the decisions come more naturally. Our guide breaks down the most common types of bets with easy examples so that you can start betting with confidence on Jackpot.bet.

Sports Betting Basics: Understanding the Core Bet Types

Before going further, it helps to start with the three bets you’ll see most often: moneyline, spread, and totals.

Why These Three Bets Matter Most

Most sportsbooks, including our platform, build their markets around the core bet types. They’re simple enough for beginners to grasp but also flexible enough for experienced players to use in bigger strategies.

When you understand them, every other type of wager makes more sense because they’re all variations of these three.

Reading Betting Odds and Lines

Of course, knowing the bet type is only half the picture; you also need to read the odds. Odds show both the potential payout and the implied probability of a team winning.

Lines then adjust those odds to keep betting balanced, which is why spreads and totals shift before a game starts. Learning to read them means you can spot value instead of just guessing.

Moneyline Bets Explained

Among all the sports bets types, the moneyline is usually the first one beginners encounter.

What Is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet is the simplest way to wager: you just pick who will win the game. There are no point spreads or totals to worry about; it’s strictly about the outcome. 

Because of that, it’s the foundation most people learn before exploring more advanced bet types.

How Moneyline Odds Work

Moneyline odds show both the favorite and the underdog. Favorites have lower payouts because they’re more likely to win, while underdogs offer higher returns to balance the risk.

For example, if a team is listed at -150, you’d need to wager $150 to win $100. If another team is +200, a $100 bet would return $200.

Once you see how the odds reflect risk versus reward, the structure becomes clearer.

When to Use Moneyline Bets

Moneylines are best when you’re sure one side is going to win outright, no matter the margin. They’re popular in lower-scoring sports like baseball, hockey, or soccer, where the spread feels less relevant.

If you want to keep it simple and avoid calculating points, this bet type keeps it to the result alone.

Moneyline Strategy Tips

While moneyline bets are simple, you can still approach them with strategy. Comparing odds across sportsbooks can help you find better value, since lines often vary slightly. 

For instance, you’ll often see competitive lines that can make a difference in long-term profits here on Jackpot.bet.

Another tip is to watch for underdogs in games where momentum or recent performance suggests an upset. 

Over time, learning when to trust the favorite and when to chase an underdog might make your moneyline wagers more profitable.

Point Spread Betting Guide

Once you’ve grasped the moneyline, the next step is understanding spreads, which add another layer of strategy to sports betting.

Understanding Point Spreads

A point spread levels the matchup by adding points to the underdog’s score and subtracting from the favorite’s. It makes both sides more appealing to bet on, regardless of the teams’ actual strength.

How Spread Betting Works

Suppose a football team is favored by -7 points. That means they must win by more than 7 for your bet to cash.

If the underdog is +7, they can either win outright or lose by fewer than 7 and still cover the spread.

Reading Spread Lines and Juice

Alongside the spread, you’ll notice odds or “juice” attached to each side. Juice is the commission the sportsbook charges, usually shown as -110.

So, if you bet $110, you’d win $100 on a successful wager. Different spreads may carry different juice, which is why it’s important to compare lines before placing your bet.

Spread Betting Strategies

One smart approach for spread betting is to look for key numbers; margins of victory that happen most often, like 3 or 7 in football. Betting around these numbers can give you an edge.

Another strategy is to watch line movement. If a spread shifts significantly before kickoff, it often reflects sharp money or breaking news.

By tracking these changes, you can time your bets for better value.

Totals (Over/Under) Betting Explained

After moneyline and spreads, the third core market is totals, also known as over/under bets.

What Are Over/Under Bets?

With totals, you’re betting on whether the combined score of both teams will be lower or higher than the number set by the sportsbook. 

The bets can be applied to points, goals, or other game stats, depending on the sport.

How Totals Betting Works

If the line is 45.5 in football, betting the over means you think at least 46 will be scored. Betting the under means you think 45 or less.

The 0.5 removes the possibility of a tie, which is why you’ll often see 0.5 added to totals.

Factors That Affect Totals

Several things impact totals. Team styles, defensive strength, and recent scoring trends all matter. Even the weather can move the number; high winds or heavy rain often lower scoring in outdoor games.

Keep track of these, and you can decide if the sportsbook line is too high or too low.

Over/Under Betting Tips

Totals are a great entry point into value betting. If you can spot when a line doesn’t fully reflect game conditions, you gain an edge.

For example, a matchup between two fast-paced teams might push the real total higher than the posted number. 

The key is to research context, compare lines across sportsbooks, and place your bet where the number works in your favor.

Other Popular Bet Types to Explore

Once you’ve learned the basics, it helps to look at other options that make up the different types of sports betting available today. Each one offers a unique angle, but they all connect back to the same core principles you’ve already seen.

Parlay Bets - Combining Multiple Picks

A parlay is when you link multiple bets into one ticket. Every pick has to win for the parlay to cash, but the payout grows with each added leg.

Such a risk-reward balance is fun when you see value across multiple games.

Prop Bets - Betting on Specific Events

Props focus on individual events within a game. You might bet on a striker scoring first in soccer or a quarterback reaching a certain yard total.

Props are popular for added variety and highlight player matchups that don’t affect the final score.

Futures Bets - Long-Term Predictions

Futures look beyond a single game and cover entire seasons or tournaments. You might bet on who will win the Super Bowl or which team will take the NBA title.

Since the result unfolds over months, futures usually offer higher payouts and reward those who think ahead.

Live Betting - In-Game Wagering

Live betting is a wagering where you place a bet after the game has started, with odds changing in real-time. A team falling behind early might suddenly offer better value, or a hot streak could change the line in an instant.

Teaser Bets - Adjusting Point Spreads

Teaser bets let you shift the point spread in your favor across multiple games. You trade lower payouts for extra margin of safety, which can make close matchups feel more manageable. 

Teasers are often used in football, where moving the line by a few points can be the difference between winning and losing.

How These Bets Work Across Different Sports

Moneyline, spread, and totals appear in every league, but each sport has its own twist. 

Online sportsbooks, including Jackpot.bet, adjust the lines based on how scoring works, so it helps to see how they play out across different sports.

NFL and College Football

Football betting leans heavily on spreads and totals. With scoring often happening in 3- and 7-point chunks, key numbers matter more than in other sports. 

Online sportsbooks shape lines around those margins, and bettors watch for even the smallest movement before kickoff.

NBA and College Basketball

Basketball sees higher scores, which makes totals one of the most active markets. A few minutes of hot shooting can swing the number by double digits.

Spreads also play a big role, especially in college, where mismatches can lead to wide gaps.

MLB Baseball

Baseball focuses more on moneylines and totals. Since games are lower-scoring, even one run can flip the outcome. 

Online sportsbooks balance this with run lines, which usually set the spread at -1.5 or +1.5, giving both sides a clearer edge.

NHL Hockey

Hockey is similar to baseball in that goals are scarce. Moneylines dominate, while puck lines set a fixed spread at -1.5 or +1.5. 

Totals usually hover around 5 or 6, so a single empty-net goal can decide whether an over or under bet wins.

Comparing All Bet Types

By now, you’ve seen how each wager works, but lining them up side by side makes the differences easier to spot.

Looking at the main types of bets helps you weigh risk, reward, and the style of play that fits you best.

Risk vs. Reward Analysis

Moneyline bets keep the rules simple, but favorites offer smaller returns while underdogs pay more. Spreads even things out, though covering the number can be tricky.

Similarly, totals shift focus away from who wins and put it on the pace of the game. Each bet type carries its own balance of risk and payout, which is why no single option fits every situation.

Which Bet Type Is Best for Beginners?

For beginners, moneyline bets are often the easiest starting point. You only need to choose the winner, and the odds tell you the potential return. 

Once that feels comfortable, spreads and totals add more depth without becoming overwhelming.

Bankroll Management Strategies

Bankroll management decides how long you stay in the game, no matter which bet type you choose. A few common approaches include:

• Flat betting: Risking the same amount on every wager to limit big swings.

• Percentage staking: Adjusting the bet size to a set percentage of your bankroll.

• Unit system: Dividing your bankroll into units and betting 1-3 units depending on confidence.

• Stop-loss limits: Setting a maximum loss for the day or week to protect your balance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a solid understanding of the main types of bet, beginners often fall into the same traps. Spotting these early can save both money and frustration:

• Chasing losses: Trying to win back money with bigger bets usually leads to deeper losses.

• Ignoring the odds: Betting on a favorite without checking the price can offer little to no value.

• Overextending bankroll: Risking too much on one game reduces your ability to play long-term.

• Betting without research: Guessing based on gut feeling instead of stats or form rarely pays off.

• Forgetting line movement: Ignoring shifts in spreads or totals can mean missing the best number.

Start Your Betting Journey with Confidence

Learning the basics of sports bets is the first step to making better decisions. Moneyline, spread, and totals each offer a different way to approach a game.

Once you understand how they work, you’ll see the patterns in every bet. Start simply, manage your bankroll effectively, and build confidence through experience. 

On Jackpot.bet, you’ll find all three bet types on every major sport, so you can put what you’ve learned into practice. With the right mindset, you can get started today.

Conclusion

Understanding the main types of sports bets is the foundation of any successful betting strategy. By learning how moneyline, spread, and totals work, you can make choices based on value rather than guesswork.

Managing your bankroll through betting units, small, consistent amounts staked per wager, is equally important. It prevents overspending and keeps your play sustainable over the long term.

Focusing on these fundamentals will help you avoid mistakes and gain confidence as you explore everything Jackpot.bet has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there different types of bets?

Yes, sportsbooks like Jackpot.bet offer a variety of bets, with moneyline, spread, and totals being the most popular. 

Beyond those, you’ll find parlays, props, futures, and live bets, each with its own way of wagering depending on the sport and your strategy.

How to choose the right bet type?

The best way is to match the bet to your goals. If you want simple, moneyline bets are easy. When you’re comfortable with margins of victory, the spread might be the way to go. 

If you like to predict game tempo or scoring, totals (over/under) is the way to go.

What are the easiest types of bets for beginners?

Moneyline bets are considered the easiest because you only need to pick which team or player will win. There’s no need to calculate spreads or totals, making them a great starting point before exploring other options.

How many types of sports bets are there?

You’ll find plenty of ways to bet on sports, but almost all of them come from three basics: moneyline, spread, and totals. Once you get those down, it’s much easier to move into things like parlays, teasers, or futures without feeling lost.