Top 6 Sports Betting Markets for Beginners
There’s nothing wrong with hoping for a little beginner’s luck, but there are more reliable ways to play for consistent returns. With plenty of lucrative introductory offers to choose from, there’s never been a better time to get into sports betting.
It’s easy for newcomers to go along with the pundits or public betting, especially with so much coverage surrounding high-profile sporting events. However, there’s no substitute for making your own assessment based on analysis of the stats. The tricky part is finding the right sport and the right market to allow you to develop a solid betting strategy.
Based on their simplicity, here are the top six markets for novice sports bettors.
Note: Odds may appear in decimal, fractional, or American format depending on where you're betting, but the principles of these markets apply globally.
No. 1: Handicap/Spread Markets
The handicap market, also known as spread betting, can be found on almost every sport where one team is trying to outscore another, and it’s a great one for beginners. Most fresh-faced bettors gravitate towards the “outright winner” (also known as moneyline) markets, neglecting the handicaps. In some ways, this is tantamount to throwing away your margin of error.
If a match is too close to call, the handicap market represents an excellent way to reduce your risk by betting on an underdog covering the spread, in exchange for slightly lower odds. And when you're betting on a match you're confident about, handicap markets allow you to get longer odds by predicting a favorite will cover.
No. 2: 'Half-Time Score' Market
Typically, sports bettors are much more likely to be drawn to the “final score” market than to the half-time score market. But all you're doing by opting for a bet on the full-time result is doubling the time in which something unexpected can occur.
The stats back up the superiority of the “half-time score” market. According to FootyStats.org, over 10% of football matches globally have a final score of 1-0 (the second-most common score), and nearly 8% end in a 0-0 tie (the fourth-most common).
No. 3: 'Outright Winner' Market
If you enjoy the thrill of picking an outright winner, Major League Baseball (MLB) might be the perfect arena to test your instincts. With margins between the league’s top and bottom teams often razor-thin, backing an underdog isn’t nearly as far-fetched as it might seem, creating more parity than expected in sports betting.
The relatively narrow gap between the best and worst teams shows how unpredictable outcomes can be, making it possible to profit by consistently betting on underdogs.
No. 4: 'Round Group' Market in Boxing & MMA Betting
You’ll need to do your homework on both opponents, but the “round group” market gives you a real chance of taking advantage of recognizable trends. If you know that a fighter starts aggressively, you could back them to win the match in Rounds 1 through 3. Equally, if you know that one boxer usually tires as the match draws on, you could bet on them to get stopped in Rounds 10 through 12.
The risk is reduced compared to betting on an individual round for a stoppage. This market also allows you to find value in fights where there’s a clear favorite, and you won’t get very good odds by betting on the fighter to come out victorious.
No. 5: Two-Ball Betting (“Head-to-Head”) Market in Golf Betting
Golf can be one of the hardest sports to profit from, and that goes as much for seasoned gamblers as for those new ones. Not surprisingly, the difficulty comes with the size of the field. You aren't guaranteed a win even when one player seems to be dominating.
However, reducing the field you bet on can instantly reduce your risk. Many sites offer two-ball betting (also known as “head-to-head” markets) on most major tournaments, meaning you can back players to outperform their playing partners only. It's an excellent way to profit from players who may not contend for the title but often outperform their pairing.
No. 6: 'Goals per Game' Markets in Ice Hockey Betting
Hockey’s furious pace, end-to-end play, constant line changes, and unpredictable penalties can make it tough to predict. However, despite the chaos on the ice, one key stat remains surprisingly stable: goals per game.
That kind of consistency gives bettors a helpful starting point. Most games will feature over 4.5 but under 6.5 total goals. Understanding this, you adjust your expectations based on whether you’re looking at a tight matchup or a likely blowout.
