Sports betting is a complicated game, but it can be extremely profitable for the smart bettor. There are several key concepts that new bettors must understand, including odds and staking rules. Odds indicate the probability of a particular outcome, and they are an important factor in determining which bets to make and which to avoid. A minus sign (-) before a team’s odds means they are the underdog and a plus sign (+) means they are the favorite.

Sportsbooks make money by charging a fee on bets, known as the vig. This fee is passed on to the bettors, who receive a smaller payout than the total amount of their bets. The vig is the biggest source of revenue for sportsbooks, and it helps offset the operating expenses of running a casino or other sportsbook. A savvy bettor can reduce the vig by betting on games with lower house edges and keeping their bet sizes consistent.

The simplest way to make money sports betting is to bet on teams that can cover the point spread attached to their bet. Point spreads are designed to attract action on both sides of a bet, with the goal of balancing out the wagers so that neither side loses. This is why bettors should never bet more than 2% of their bankroll on any single play.

It is also important to know how much a bet will cost you before you place it. The vig on a bet will vary from book to book, and it will depend on the type of game being wagered. The vig is typically higher for NFL and NBA bets, and it is generally lower for MLB and NHL bets.

Lastly, it is important to remember that a good percentage of all bets are going to lose. Even the best bettor in the world isn’t going to win every bet, and losing a few bets can quickly derail your profits. The best sports bettors keep near-obsessive records of their bets, so they can see how their edge lasts over time and learn from their mistakes.

Another popular way to bet on sports is through futures bets. These bets are based on events that will happen in the future, and they often offer larger payouts than straight bets. Some common futures bets include betting on a baseball team to win the World Series, a football team to win a Super Bowl, or a golfer to win the Masters. Many of these bets are placed on a weekly basis, and they can result in high returns over the long term.