With the Montreal Canadiens once again on the outside, Canadiens most likely miss making the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
If you’re a sports fan who’s interested in getting into betting, there are a few things you should know. Make sure you’re on the right side of the law and betting on games you know well with these essential tips.
Read on to discover important sports betting tips that’ll get you in the best position to win.
Identify the sports you love most
It’s best practice to identify the sports you love most, and bet almost exclusively on these. While it’s a lot of fun to sometimes dip your toes into sports you’re less familiar with, there are advantages to sticking with a few favourites. To make smart bets, you must understand how games work and their likely outcomes, and inform yourself about upcoming matches. Only with this knowledge do you stand a better chance of winning.
It’s also worth identifying your favourite sports before betting through live streams. Placing a bet on cricket, if you hate watching it, is only going to frustrate you as you sit bored through hours of gameplay.
Across different online sportsbooks, you can bet on cricket, football, tennis, horse racing, rugby and boxing, among many others. There are plenty of well-known sports and some more obscure ones too. Plus, you can bet on specific leagues and events like NHL, MLB and NFL. Keep an eye out also for special events you can bet on, such as the Olympics.
Identify the different betting types
There are many different types of betting odds to get your head around before placing a bet on your favourite sports. We’ll teach you about the three most common types now:
Decimal odds
Decimal odds are the most common type of odds found in Canada and Europe. The odds will be shown as a decimal number, such as 10.5. You can win your stake multiplied by the decimal number. For example, if you bet CA$1, you’d win CA$10.50 plus your original stake.
Fractional odds
As the name suggests, fractional odds are shown as a fraction. The number on the left of the fraction is the potential winnings, while the number on the right is the bet you place. If we use the example of 10/1, for every CA$1 you bet, you could earn CA$10. You would also get your original stake back, so would leave with CA$11.
A slightly more complicated odd may appear, for example, as 10/2. Don’t let this confuse you. It simply means you could receive CA$10 for every CA$2 you bet, plus your original stake.
Also known as moneyline odds, American odds tend to feature in the US but do crop up now and then in other countries too. They always use a baseline value of US$100, with the odds appearing as a number with a minus or plus sign. A plus symbol means that you’d be betting on an underdog who is less likely to win, while a minus symbol means the opposite. This means that betting on a -150 could see you win US$150 but risk US$100.
Identify the laws in your area
It’s essential that you understand the gambling laws in your area before trying to place a sports bet. Not every country permits online sports betting, but it’s even more complicated than that.
Different areas of specific countries can also have varying laws around sports betting. Establish whether you live within an area where it’s permitted. And remember that while some areas may permit it, there could still be restrictions in place that you need to be aware of.
Identify the best sportsbooks
There are so many sports betting opportunities on the web that it can be challenging to know which to trust. In fact, nearly 25,000 different companies are operating in this arena. Below, you’ll find six of the very best sportsbooks, each offering a diverse range of games you can bet on today:
PartySports
PartySports is a great online sports betting platform, offering competitive odds, around-the-clock support and betting opportunities in baseball, lacrosse and basketball. In fact, there are 29 sports in total, including novelty ones like virtual tennis, virtual football and virtual basketball. There are plenty of personalized offers at PartySports too.
Having entered the online sports betting scene in 2000, bet365 consistently ranks as one of the most-used sportsbooks on the web. That’s because it permits bets on dozens of different sports, including lacrosse, Formula One and esports. There are plenty of events too, including UEFA Champions League, PGA Tour Canada and NBL.
bet365 is trusted by users because of its speedy withdrawals and absence of withdrawal fees. Apple Pay makes bet365 an online sportsbook that’s easy to fund too.
Offering the chance to bet on 30 sports including soccer, basketball, boxing and esports, BetRivers has been delighting players since it emerged on the scene in 2022. It’s important to bet with trustworthy sportsbooks like BetRivers – its credentials as a reliable site include two-factor authentication requirements and a range of deposit methods.
PointsBet
PointsBet is an easy-to-use sportsbook offering the opportunity to bet on tennis, baseball, hockey and golf. Users appreciate how you can make deposits and withdrawals using PayPal, and can set cooling-off periods when it’s time to step away. There are no withdrawal fees when you come to cash out your winnings and they’ll arrive in your account within three days.
LeoVegas
At LeoVegas, you’ll find 29 sports to bet on. This kind of range excites sports fans because it creates variety. Whatever you’re into, chances are this site has it – even handball and ice hockey. All major sporting leagues, both American and international, are available to bet on here.
You can set self-imposed spending limits through your LeoVegas account, which is a huge perk for those betting for fun. The site also has a 24/7 live chat feature, so you’ll never be more than an hour away from getting an answer you need.
BetVictor
BetVictor is a great choice for players who prioritize fun gameplay, safety features and access to real-life staff members who can provide support. Whether you’re into horse racing, basketball or cricket, there are plenty of markets to bet on. Plus, there are no withdrawal fees, and deposits reach your account within 24 hours.