The safest bets...the ones that win
If you are just starting out you should try and stick to straight sides and totals.
You are correct, parlays and teasers can be tricky.
Here is a game example for tonight.
The line is Miami -6/San Diego +6.
The total is 37.5
The moneyline is Miami -240/ SanDiego +210
If you bet Miami -6 you would risk $110 to win $100. The Dolphins need to win by more than 6 to win your bet and receive $210 ($110 you risked plus the $100 you won). If it lands on 6 it is a push and you get your $110 back.
The total is 37.5 (this is the total number of points to be scored by both teams combined). You can either bet the over or the under. If you want Under 37.5, you risk $110 to win $100. To win they must score less than 37.5 for the entire game, including overtime.
The moneyline, takes the points (-6/+6) out of the equation. You now simply have to pick who will win the game outright. If you want Miami you risk $240 to win $100 (winning bet would receive $340, the $240 you risked and the $100 you won). If you want San Diego you risk $100 to win $210 (winning bet would pay $310, the $100 you risked plus the $210 you won).
You will get a lot of different answers about what is the safest way to play. For example, I usually look to play underdogs and under the total. Nothing is better than having an underdog win the game outright. Most novice players tend to always play the favorite and the over the total. Generally speaking, I believe it is psychological in nature. Because a team is favored, it is ingrained that they should win...so why not play them. As well, people always think teams will score points and want them to score points so they are entertained so they tend to bet the over the total points more. I am not saying to only play underdogs and under the total but becareful of falling into the trap that favorites always should win and a lot of points should be scored.
Back to our example. A parlay is linking two wagers together into one. Because you need to win both plays to win, it pays out more money. Let's say tonight you like Miami -6 and Under the total of 37.5 - you would parlay them together risking $100 to win roughly $264. If Miami wins 24-7 you would win the play. Miami coverd the 6 and the total was 31, thus under the 37.5. You would win $364, the $100 you risked and the $264 you won. If Miami wins 10-7. You would lose because you have to win both sides that you played and Miami only won by 3. Parlays are enticing because of the better odd/return but I find that it sometimes can be difficult to just win one game, let alone 2 or 3. You can do 2, 3, 4 etc parlays. The more plays you add the higher the payout and the smaller probability that you win .
Teasers. Let's start by saying never tease college football games. A teaser is where you are able to move the line a certain number of points but in return you risk more upfront.
Again you like Miami -6 and under the total of 37.5. So we will tease it. Standard tease in football is 6 points, meaning you can move both lines in you favor 6 points. So now you would have Miami at pick or even and Under the total of 43.5. This bet would risk $120 to win $100. Again you have to win both side and total to win the game. Go back to the last example where you would have lost your parlay when Miami won 10-7. With a teaser you would have won because Miami was a pick 'em and only needed to win the game. The payout would be $220, the $120 you risked and the $100 you won.
You can also do teasers with more points but you have to risk more up front for that right, basically you are purchasing points. Generally, if you tease you should tease the most points they allow you to tease. On the above two team example you would probably move the line 7 points each way but then have to risk $140 to $100. I say this because I once had a 6 point tease that lost by 1/2 a point. Never forgot that because i could have moved it 7. I was too cheap to lay the extra juice and it cost me the win. Now, i do not tease at all
It is a lot to take in. That is why if I were you i would stick to a few games so you don't lose your butt early. I would stick to straight sides and totals. As I said, it is hard enough to pick one side of a game, so why parlay and have to win multiple games. Teasers have their name for a reason, it always looks to enticing when you first play it.
Good luck
[This message was edited by Mosi on October 27, 2003 at 05:27 PM.]
