Types of Sports Bets: A Complete Guide for 2025

Sports betting has grown exponentially in recent years with more players betting than ever before. As sportsbooks become more popular, there are more players entering the fray than ever. Knowing the various bet types is a great place to start so that you can place the smartest wagers possible.

What you may not have realized is just how many bet types there are. With a guiding hand, you can learn about each be type, what they mean, and how they can impact your betting experience. Let’s get into the different types of sports bets to choose from.

Moneyline

The simplest and most common bet type out there. When you wager on the moneyline, you are betting on which team will win the game outright. Point spreads (more on those below) don’t matter so long as you have chosen the correct team to win.

The biggest issue with moneylines, especially in the NBA, is the odds. A heavy favorite might be the “safer” pick but the odds may be so heavily skewed that the risk involved isn’t worth the reward. Even still, betting on a heavy favorite isn’t a guaranteed win, adding even more risk.

Point Spread

Because the odds on moneyline wagers are often heavily skewed, especially in the NBA, the great odds equalizer comes in the form of the point spread. Rather than betting on who will win outright, you wager on whether a team will win or lose within a specific point range.

Let’s say that the Los Angeles Lakers are 6.5-point favorites against the Los Angeles Clippers. In order to cover the spread, the Lakers must win by seven points or more. If the Clippers lose by six points or less, or win the game outright, they cover the spread and cash the ticket. Odds on point spreads are often -110, essentially a 50-50 proposition compared to the much more heavily skewed moneyline odds.

Totals

When you’re uncertain about who will win the game, the next best option is to wager on the total number of points scored. Sometimes referred to as the “over/under,” the sportsbook will set a specific point total. For instance, you may see a game with o/u 248.5 listed under the total.

Instead of wagering on who will win, you will bet whether that game will have more or less than 248.5 total points scored. With alternate totals, you can shift that number (and the odds along with it). It is a lot easier to root for offensive or defensive success rather than one team to win the game or to cover the spread.

Player Props

If you aren’t so much concerned with the outcome of the game as a whole, a great solution is to switch to player props. Player props, short for propositions, centers around specific statistical outcomes for players.

Player props include statistics like points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, steals, and more. It is even possible to choose player combos like points + assists + rebounds to spice up the action by choosing a specific player outcome.

Futures

Some fans think that they can predict what will happen in the season. Sometimes, the outcome is quite obvious and a team makes a run from start to finish without ever really feeling challenged. That is why betting futures is so great.

Futures allow bettors to place wagers throughout the season on specific outcomes. Wager on which teams will make the playoffs, who will win their division, conference winners, and even who will win the NBA Championship.

So Many Ways to Play

The best part of sports betting is that there is something for everyone. Whether you like to bet on team outcomes or go for individual player accolades, sports betting never gets tiring. Check out your preferred sportsbook, review the odds, and find your prefer way to bet in no time.