Sport betting is an exciting and lucrative way to place wagers on a wide range of sporting events. However, before you start placing bets, you should understand the basic rules of sports betting and how to read odds.

The odds of a sport’s outcome can change in the course of the game, depending on numerous factors including injuries and weather. As a result, it is important to take advantage of all available odds at any given time to maximize your chances of winning.

Keeping tabs on the odds can be a challenge, but apps can help by sending you updates as they are made. They also make it easier to spot line moves and bet on the right team at the right time.

One of the most popular types of wagers in sports is the moneyline, which reflects a team’s implied probability of winning. This type of bet is typically the simplest, but it is still a good idea to understand how it works before you place your first bet.

Betting on a Favorite: The favorite has the higher likelihood of winning a match or tournament, but it is also more risky. This means that a bet on the favorite will return less in the long run.

Beating an Underdog: The underdog has a lower chance of winning a match or tournament, but can be more profitable in the long run. This is a great bet to place if you have a lot of confidence in the underdog team’s ability to win and can afford to take a bigger loss if the underdog loses.

Zig Zag Strategy: This is a betting theory that applies to NBA and NHL playoff series. It works because those leagues use a 2-2-1-1-1 playoff format, where the higher-seeded team plays at home in the first two games, and then travels to the 5th and 7th if needed.

Odds are updated continuously throughout a sporting event, so it is important to check them regularly before making your wager. You can do this using a mobile site or dedicated app, both of which will update the odds in real-time as the action unfolds.

Having access to more than one sportsbook is another helpful way to improve your odds. This allows you to shop around for the best lines on any given game or tournament and increase your potential for winning.

If you are betting on a high-stakes, multi-game event, it can be difficult to keep track of the odds in real time. This is especially true in high-volume markets, but you can minimize the amount of time you spend checking the odds by using a mobile site or dedicated sports betting app.

The most common types of sports bets include straight wagers and accumulator bets. An accumulator bet involves a single wager on several different teams. It can be a great way to increase your profit potential without risking too much of your bankroll, and is a perfect choice for those with limited time.