Betting Info
Here you can find out all you need to know about sports betting, casino gaming, horse racing and greyhound racing including live video, daily carryovers, how to bet definitions, examples and more! On the go?
TwinSpires' Introduction to Betting on Sports
HOW TO READ THE ODDS
SPORTS BETTING FUNDAMENTALS
What Are the Odds?
TwinSpires uses the American odds system, which displays the price of a wager based on bets of $100. Odds for an underdog are represented by a ‘plus’ sign and indicate how much you would win if you bet $100. Favorites are designated by a ‘minus’ sign, where the odds reflect how much you have to wager in order to win $100.
What is the Minus?
The MINUS designates the FAVORITE in the match, or the side most likely to win. The larger the odds are, the more likely the favorite is to win.
What is the Plus?
The PLUS designates the UNDERDOG in the match, or the side which is less likely to win. Bigger underdogs have larger payouts, but can be riskier plays.
NOTE: You do not have to wager $100 every time. The American odds system simply shows the ratio of risk/ reward. The bet slip in the sportsbook will also calculate winnings for you before you lock in your bet.
STRAIGHT BETS
MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY TO PLAY
What is a SPREAD Bet?
A spread is the forecasted point differential between two teams. A minus (-) indicates the favorite, while a plus (+) represents the underdog.
What is the MONEYLINE?
The moneyline is a bet on the straight up winner of the game. Bet on who you think is going to win.
What is a TOTAL?
Bet on the total points scored in a match-up by both teams. You wager on the score going OVER the total or UNDER the total.
NOTE: The minus-sign and plus-sign associated with the spread will also indicate the favorite and the underdog in a matchup. The odds listed next to the spread and total represent the price of the wager.
Example Score:
EXOTIC BETS
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What is a PARLAY?
Combine straight bets to increase the payout. All selections in the parlay must succeed for the bet to win.
What is a TEASER?
Alter the spreads or totals in a parlay for a better chance at winning your combo bet.
Example: Example PARLAYS are based on a wager of $100 with all bets having even (+100) odds. The sportsbook will calculate potential payouts for your parlay for review before you lock in your wager. Green check = Bet won.
LIVE BETTING
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CASHOUT
What is a CashOut?
CashOut is a live betting feature that allows players to grade existing wagers before the game is over.
Why cash out early?
Players use CashOut to secure a return prior to the end of a game. You can also CashOut an existing wager prior to the start of a game.
LIVE BET
What is Live Betting?
Players can wager on games as they happen with updated lines that reflect the current score of the game.
Why Bet Live?
Live Betting is an exciting option that allows players to react to the action as it unfolds.
NOTE: Players can live bet on spreads, moneylines, totals and props during the game where available.
FUTURES & PROP BETS
MORE WAYS TO PLAY
What is a FUTURE?
A futures bet is a speculative play on the outcome of an event occurring in the future. The easiest example to provide is betting on the Super Bowl champion prior to, or during, the regular NFL season.
What is a PROP BET?
Wager on a specific occurrence happening, or not happening, within a game. ‘Prop’ is short for proposition. These are also known as ‘side bets’.
PLAYER PROPS
Bet on whether or not a player achieves a specific metric within a game. “Player X will score a touchdown - Yes -110 / No -105” is an example.
GAME PROPS
Bet on a specific outcome within a game. “Will there be overtime? Yes +500 / No -250” is an example of a game prop. Spread, moneyline and total betting on quarters and halves are also found under game props.
NOTE: Prop betting is available as a pre-match wager, and is also available in live betting where available.
TwinSpires' Introduction to Betting on Racing
For a map on the landscape of basic Horse Racing bets and terminology, check out the Horse Racing & Greyhound Bet Types.
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