These guides explain how common bets work, how lines are set and why they move, with the math shown so you can check it. None of them sell a system. When an old rule of thumb doesn’t hold up, we say so and show you how to test it yourself.
For questions about Bovada accounts, bonuses and payouts, see Bovada help and our Bovada review.
Calculators and tools
- Parlay calculator: payout, true odds and house edge
- Odds converter and vig calculator
- Where can I bet on sports? A state-by-state lookup
- Bovada bonus codes and rollover calculator
The basics
- Money lines explained
- How to bet parlays
- What are parlay cards? How they work and how they pay
- Sports betting rules
- The magic of 55 percent winners
- Choosing an online sportsbook
- Sports betting and superstitions
NFL
- NFL football handicapping
- The three handicapping techniques of football, explained
- Injuries and the NFL point spread
- Anticipating line shifts in football betting
- NFL betting and weather
- NFL road team betting strategy
- NFL bye week betting
- Streaking NFL teams
- Monday Night Football home underdogs
NBA and WNBA
- Five essential NBA betting tips, from rest days to bet sizing
- NBA back-to-back betting strategy
- NBA zig-zag theory
- NBA deviation for game totals
- Betting the WNBA
- Are NBA games fixed? What the betting cases show
College basketball
- How to bet on March Madness
- College basketball totals
- How to bet college basketball first-half totals
- Betting totals when bad college basketball teams play
- How short rest affects college basketball scoring
- College basketball public betting trends and fading the public
Baseball
- Baseball totals betting
- Specifying pitchers in baseball betting
- Crafting a 1-run betting line from the moneyline and run line
- Reverse line moves in baseball
- Short-term vs long-term baseball betting trends
Hockey
Only bet what you’ve set aside to lose. If gambling has stopped being fun, call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) for free, confidential help, 24/7, or chat online with the National Problem Gambling Helpline.