Sports betting is becoming a part of sports culture, and even though making money betting on your favorite team or game can be fun, it’s important to approach it responsibly. Here’s everything you need to know before placing your first bet, including different ways to bet, popular terms and tips.

The most common way to place a wager is on a team to win a game, also known as a straight bet. You can also place a bet on the total points, points in half, and other special bets like over/unders or parlays. A bet on a specific player can also be placed, but this is less common and usually only offered at the highest betting limits.

Point spreads are a great way to make a bet on a team that isn’t favored by much, but you have to remember that even “sure bets” can go sideways, so you should always invest a reasonable amount of money from your savings and only bet on plays that you’re willing to lose. A good rule of thumb is to start small and then gradually increase your bet size as you gain experience.

Betting on sports isn’t for everyone, and it can be difficult to make a living from it even for professionals. However, the oddsmakers’ goal is to give you a positive expectation by winning 52.4% of your bets, plus the vig, or rake, charged by sportsbooks to cover the book’s expenses.

You may be tempted to follow the picks of expert handicappers, but it’s important to remember that hindsight is 20/20. It’s impossible to predict the outcome of a sporting event before it happens, so be sure to study up on a game before you place a bet. You can also ask for advice in online forums and check the Better Business Bureau ratings of sportsbook services.

A round robin is a group of two or more 2-team parlays. These bets are typically offered at higher betting limits than single-team parlays, and they are a great way to test your skills and build up your bankroll. You can also play around with different types of sports bets, such as proposition bets or futures bets, to find what works best for you.