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When betting on sports, it's essential to understand the concept of betting odds and the different types of bets that can be made. A betting line is a point spread or a moneyline, which reflects the implied chance of an outcome. In the US, point spreads are typically expressed as a number with a “+” or “-” sign, whereas moneylines are expressed with a number and a “%” sign.

A minus number indicates the favorite, whereas a plus number indicates the underdog. When a team is favored, a bettor must spend more money to win less. Conversely, when a team is the underdog, a bettor can spend less to win more.

Point spreads are used in sports where the outcome can be close, such as basketball and football. These spreads can be expressed with a number, such as -3.5 points, which means the team must win by more than 3.5 points to cover the spread.

Moneyline bets, on the other hand, involve betting on a team to win the game outright, without considering the point spread. When a team wins by more than the specified number of points, it covers the spread.

An over-under bet, also known as a total bet, involves betting on whether the combined score of both teams will exceed or fall below a certain number. This type of bet is popular for sports with high-scoring games, such as hockey and basketball.

Understanding how to read and interpret odds and point spreads is essential for making informed betting decisions. By grasping the basics of betting, you can make more informed bets and increase your chances of winning.