If you are a beginner to sports betting or online sportsbooks, you may have come across the words “single bet” or “straight bet”. In this article, iBetting is going to answer the question “what is a straight bet?” in detail.
Keep reading to learn more!
What is a straight Bet?
A straight bet, also known as a single bet, is the most basic and popular type of sports bet. With a straight bet, you simply pick a team or athlete to win an event. If your selection wins, you will receive a payout based on the odds of that particular event.
For example, let’s say you wanted to bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the NHL. The odds for this particular event might be +200, which means that for every $100 you bet, you would win $200 if the Toronto Maple Leafs were to win.
The amount of money you can win with a straight bet depends on the odds of your selected event and how much money you are willing to risk. Higher odds usually mean a higher potential payout, but there is also a greater chance of losing your bet.
What is a Moneyline Straight Bet?
A money line straight bet is the most common type of sports wager. With a money line wager, you are simply betting on which team or person will win the match outright. There is no spread or handicap to worry about. You are simply picking a side and hoping they win.
For example, let’s say you wanted to bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs in their game against the Toronto Raptors. The money line might look something like this:
Toronto Maple Leafs -250
Toronto Raptors +200
In this example, the Maple Leafs are the favorites to win and the Toronto Raptors are the underdogs. This is reflected in the odds as well. The Maple Leafs have odds of -250, which means you would need to bet $250 to win $100. On the other hand, the Toronto Raptors have odds of +200, which means that if you bet $100 on them, you would win $200.
Of course, these are just examples and the actual odds will change from game to game.
What is a Point Spread Straight Bet?
A point spread straight bet is a little more complicated than a money line straight bet. With a point spread wager, you are still betting on which team will win the game outright. However, there is also a “spread” that needs to be taken into account.
The spread is essentially a handicap that is placed on the favorite. This is done to even out the betting odds and give the underdog a better chance of winning. In our earlier example, if the Blue Jays had a -7 point spread, it would look something like this:
Blue Jays -7 (-250)
Cardinals +7 (+200)
In this case, the Patriots are still favored to win the game. However, they now need to win by more than 7 points for you to win your bet. On the other hand, the Cardinals are given a +7 point spread. This means that as long as they don’t lose by more than 7 points, you will win your bet.
The actual odds (in this case -250 and +200) do not change with the spread. However, the point spread does affect how much you can win on your bet.
What is a Totals Straight Bet?
A totals straight bet is a bit different from the other two types of straight bets. With a totals bet, you are not betting on which team will win the game. Instead, you are betting on whether the final score will be over or under a certain number.
For example, let’s say that the total for the Blue Jays vs. Cardinals game is set at 48.5 points. If you bet the “over”, you are betting that the final score will be 49 or more points. If you bet the “under”, you are betting that the final score will be 48 or fewer points.
Like with point spread bets, the odds will depend on which side you choose. If the over is -110 and the under is -105, that means you would need to bet $110 on the over to win $100. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the under, you would win $105.
Totals bets can be a little more confusing than point spread or money line bets. However, they can be a lot of fun and can be very profitable if you know what you are doing.
The main difference between a Parlay and a Straight Bet?
The main difference between a parlay and a straight bet is that a parlay is a combination of two or more bets while a straight bet is just one bet. A parlay can be a great way to win a lot of money if all of your bets win but it can also be a quick way to lose all of your money if even one bet loses. Straight bets are less risky but usually have smaller payouts than parlays.
How to place a straight bet?
Now that you know what a straight bet is, you’re probably wondering how to place one. Luckily, it’s pretty easy.
If you’re betting online, simply go to the sportsbook of your choice such as Bet365 Sportbook, and find the game or event that you want to bet on. Once you’ve found it, look for the money line (or point spread if you’re betting on a point spread straight bet) and make your bet.
If you’re betting with a bookmaker, simply tell the bookmaker which team or horse you want to bet on and how much you want to bet. The bookmaker will then give you odds and you can place your bet.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Straight bets are the most simple and common type of bet in sports betting. They can be a lot of fun and can be very profitable if you know what you’re doing. Just remember to always bet responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Good luck!