Master betting from basics to advanced strategies. 13 guides with interactive calculators and real examples.
Return on Investment (ROI) is the percentage profit or loss on your total betting investment. It's the best metric for measuring long-term betting performance.
Calculator includedA moneyline bet is a wager on which team or player will win outright, without any point spread. The favorite has negative odds (e.g., -200) while the underdog has positive odds (e.g., +170).
Over/Under (also called totals) is a bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. You're not picking a winner, just predicting total points scored.
A point spread is a handicap that bookmakers give to the favorite to level the playing field. The favorite must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can lose by less than the spread or win outright.
A push occurs when a bet results in a tie, meaning neither the bettor nor the sportsbook wins. Your stake is refunded. Pushes commonly happen with whole number spreads (e.g., -7) or totals (e.g., 48) when the final margin/score lands exactly on the number.
Vigorish (also called vig, juice, or the take) is the commission that sportsbooks charge on bets. It's built into the odds and is why you need to win 52.38% of bets at -110 odds just to break even.
Bankroll management is the practice of controlling how much you bet to protect your betting funds and maximize long-term growth. The standard approach is betting 1-3% of your total bankroll per bet (called unit sizing) to survive losing streaks and compound winnings.
Calculator includedClosing Line Value (CLV) is the difference between the odds you bet at versus the odds when the market closes. Beating the closing line consistently indicates you're a sharp bettor finding value before the market corrects. It's the best predictor of long-term profitability.
Expected Value is the average amount you expect to win or lose per bet in the long run. Positive EV means the bet is profitable over time.
Calculator includedImplied probability is the likelihood of an outcome as suggested by betting odds. It converts odds to a percentage showing what the bookmaker believes is the chance of an event occurring. Formula: (1 / Decimal Odds) × 100.
Calculator includedThe Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula for optimal bet sizing based on your edge and odds. It tells you exactly what percentage of your bankroll to bet to maximize long-term growth. Formula: Bet % = (Edge / Odds). Most pros use fractional Kelly (half or quarter) to reduce variance.
Sharp betting is a professional approach to sports betting focused on finding +EV bets through data analysis, line shopping, and beating closing lines. Sharp bettors use math and probability rather than emotion, maintain strict bankroll management, and consistently profit long-term.
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