How to Bet on Sports: Complete Beginner Guide 2025

Everything you need to know to start betting on sports in 2025. Types of bets, how odds work, and where to place your first bet.

Is sports betting legal in your state?

Sports betting is legal in 38+ US states as of 2025. The biggest legal states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona, Virginia, and Tennessee. Check your state's gaming commission website to confirm legality. You must be physically located in a legal state to place bets — VPNs don't work.

Understanding the three main bet types

Moneyline: pick who wins. Simple. Chiefs -150 means bet $150 to win $100. Raiders +130 means bet $100 to win $130.

Point Spread: pick the winner with a handicap. Chiefs -7 must win by 8+.

Total (Over/Under): bet on whether both teams combine for more or fewer than the set total points.

How to read American odds

Negative odds (-150) show how much you risk to win $100. Positive odds (+130) show how much you win on a $100 bet.

Quick formula for negative odds: profit = 100 / (odds/100). For -150: 100 / 1.5 = $66.67 profit per $100 bet. For positive odds: profit = odds / 100 * stake. For +130: 130/100 * $100 = $130 profit.

Where to place your first bet

Start with DraftKings or FanDuel — both have the best apps, fastest payouts, and the most generous welcome bonuses for new users. Sign up through our links to get the best available bonus. Fund your account ($50-100 to start), claim your bonus, and place your first bet on a sport you know well.

The golden rules for beginners

1. Start small — 1-2% of your bankroll per bet. 2. Stick to sports you actually watch. 3. Never chase losses. 4. Track every bet. 5. Always shop for the best line across multiple books. Follow these five rules and you'll be ahead of 90% of bettors immediately.

Our AI models pick the best bets daily. Follow along free.