Online sports betting and gambling have become one of the biggest industries within the entertainment world. Few online games have managed to receive as much attention as these two. The reasons for this are varied. Many believe it’s down to enhanced online safety and security, others say it’s the high quality and immersive features apparent in games and others vote that it’s all about enhanced gaming options. The most probable is likely a combination of all three, plus some extras.
A few crucial elements to online sports betting and gambling are, first, finding a reliable platform. The next step is understanding the jargon used in sports betting and the types of games and their rules on online casino sites. Additionally, approaching these kinds of betting and wagering games with responsibility, caution and self-exclusion in mind is also paramount.
Finding A Reliable Platform is a Noble Quest
There is nothing more important than finding a reliable platform when partaking in any kind of online entertainment. You must first look at whether or not the site has been properly licensed, as this means that it has been vetted and is safe to use. A site that does not have the correct licensing in place should be avoided at all costs.
Additionally, you should spend some time finding a platform that is held in high esteem by players, is reputable and has been around for quite some time. Platforms like betway are excellent examples of this. Why? Well, they’re held in high esteem by players, which you can clearly see by how many 5-star reviews are left on and about the site. Reviews are a vital form of information that you should look into, as they’re objective information provided by players who have no interest in whether you play or not, leaning toward their reviews to be honest. A site like Betway is automatically reputable as it’s been around for such a long time and is considered one of the founding fathers of this industry. Just like that, using those three aspects, you can quickly find a reliable site.
Sports Betting Jargon is Key
Next, you must know what you’re doing, as sports betting is trickier than you think it is. It’s not just about your passion for sports and your ability to analyse players and results. It’s about being about to know what each term in sports betting means, so that you place bets that make sense, are well-timed and supported by research.
Here are a few of the most important ones for you to know about:
- Spread: This is the point difference between the favorite and the underdog. If a team’s -5, they need to win by 6 for you to win your bet.
- Moneyline: Here, it’s about a win or loss for you. There is no spread involved. You have to pick who you think the winner will be and cross your fingers.
- Over/Under: This is where you’re betting on whether the total points (or runs, etc., depending on the sport) will be higher or lower than a set number.
- Parlay: A bet where you link multiple picks. If you manage to get them all, you have the chance to win big. But if just one fails, unfortunately, all of them fail as a result.
- Sharp: This is your goal (not really but it’s a little funny). It’s a seasoned, skilled bettor who knows the ins and outs of the game. If you’re called a sharp, take it as a compliment.
Know Your Online Casino Games
Just as you need to know the ins and outs of sports betting jargon, to make the most of online casino gaming, you need to know which games are available and how to play them.
- Poker (Texas Hold’em): Each player gets two hole cards. Five community cards are dealt, i.e., ones that everyone can see. The goal here is to make the best 5 hand cards and the highest one is the winner.
- Blackjack: It’s you vs. the dealer. All the cards are dealt face-up and you need to try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. If you go over, you lose. The rules are rather simple: face cards = 10, aces = 1 or 11. You have to beat the dealer’s hand or get a “blackjack” (Ace + 10-point card) for an instant win.
- Roulette: Here, you spin a wheel and you bet on where the ball lands in terms of numbers, colors and evens/odds. If the ball lands on your number or color, you win.
- Baccarat: Here, two hands are dealt, with the player and banker. You have to bet on which hand will have a total closest to 9. Cards 2-9 are face value, aces = 1, 10/Face cards = 0. You don’t have to implement a strategy, like all of these games; it’s just luck.
- Slots: Likely the easiest of them all. You spin the reel and hope for the best. You need to match the symbols across paylines to win.
Play with Caution and Use Self-Exclusion Features
As interesting as the games above sound, it is paramount that you partake in these games with responsibility in mind. Never invest more than what you have readily available, don’t spend too much time on games and please use the self-exclusion features as they’re there to help you.
