Sports betting is easy to start once you understand the core bet types. In this guide we explain moneylines, spreads, totals, props and parlays in plain language, so a new bettor can place a first wager at Bovada with confidence.
Moneyline, spread and total
A moneyline bet is the simplest wager: you pick the team or player to win. A point spread adds a handicap, so the favorite must win by more than the spread and the underdog can lose by less. A total, or over/under, is a bet on the combined score rather than the winner.
Each market suits a different read on a game. Moneylines reward picking winners, spreads reward reading margins, and totals reward reading pace and scoring.
Props, parlays and futures
Player props focus on an individual outcome, such as passing yards or points scored. A parlay combines several selections into one ticket, where every leg has to win but the combined odds pay more. Futures settle later, like a championship winner across a full season.
A simple parlay example
Combine a football moneyline and a basketball total into a two-leg parlay. Both must win for the ticket to cash. Your Bovada bet slip shows the combined odds and potential payout before you confirm, so the risk is always clear.
Reading the odds
American odds use a plus or minus. A minus number shows how much you stake to win $100, and a plus number shows what $100 returns. The bet slip converts this into a clear payout figure before you place the wager.
Live betting basics
Live betting lets you wager while the game is in progress. Odds move with the score, clock and momentum, so timing matters. Bovada keeps the confirmation step visible so you can lock a price before the market moves again.