One of the best opportunities to profit from sports betting is to place bets on American baseball. Especially, the MLB.

Sports betting is a competition among the people who participate in it. This group has gotten smaller during the years because of various laws. Especially, the laws that were passed in the United States a few years back limiting deposits. Thus, sports bettors should realize that this is a golden opportunity to make money. The sports books set the money lines based on how people are betting, not necessarily on who they think will win the game. This creates an opportunity for the "smart money" gamblers to place high percentage bets, and to win lots of money!

However, before you can hope to take advantage of this opportunity, there are three important things you need to understand about American sports betting:

First, you must understand the betting odds. Most sports bettors are familiar with American football (especially the NFL) since it is the number one sports betting event. Thus, I'll start out explaining point spreads.

The way most people bet these football games is by using the point spread, also known as the "line" or simply as the "spread." Ponit spreads work like this. Say the Colts are playing the Bills and everybody expects the Colts to win easily. Even the sports books. Thus, the sports books will put a "line" on the game to try to get an equal amount of money bet on both teams. They might say the line is Colts -7. This means that if you bet on the Colts, you have to "give" the Bills 7 points. You win your bet if the Colts wins by more than 7 points. If the Bills win by exactly 7 points, it's called a push, and you get your bet back.

Secondly, there are also "Money Line" betting odds. Money lines are found when you bet American baseball.

In addition to the point spread, you should be aware that there is a "money line" with each game. There are only two types of money lines -one when you bet on the favorite, and the other when you bet on the underdog. These money lines work differently.

When you bet on the favorite, the money line shows how much money you have to bet to come out ahead by $100. If the money line is -110, that means you have to bet $110 and if you win, you get your $110 back PLUS your $100 winnings. In other words, when you see -110 that shows the amount you are risking to win $100.

When you're betting on the underdog, the money line works differently. For example, you might see a money line at +135. When you see a + sign in front of the number, that means that this bet is on the underdog. What this represents is the amount of money you win if you bet $100. For example, if the money line is +135 that means if you bet $100 and you win your bet, you get your $100 back, in addition to your $135 winnings.

Remember, money line bets are based on $100. Also, you might consider betting the run line with underdogs. The run line is always a + or - 1.5. Most games, however, are won by 1 point and not 1.5 points. Especially since there are not any half points in baseball. Thus, another opportunity to make money on baseball.

Finally, even if the game offers the sports bettor a point spread, money line odds can still be found.

Typically when you make a bet using the point spread, the money line is -110. What this means is that whether you take the team getting points, or the team giving points, you still need to bet $110 just to win $100. In our example, if the Colts are -7 and you bet on them, you bet $110 that the Colts will win by more than 7 points, and if you're right, you get your $110 back in addition to your $100 winnings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard provides articles and information on sports beeting on his website at http://www.24-7wagering.com