We cover all the basics straight bets, parlays, teasers and more that can help you win money wagering on your favorite sports. FanDuel's free sports betting strategy guide is your go-to reference for understanding sports betting. (We’ll explain the numbers after -4/+4 next). A bet on the combined total number of points at the end of the whole game. Underdogs are denoted by numbers with a plus sign in front. Favorites are denoted by negative numbers. This is how the Commanders-Jaguars game appears at DraftKings sportsbook. If the Commanders beat the Jaguars by exactly four points, everyone’s bets are refunded. Alternately, anyone betting on the Jaguars would need them to win outright or lose by three points or fewer. If they win by three points or fewer or fail to win at all, you lose.
If you bet on the Commanders, they must win by at least five points for your bet to pay off. For instance, in Week 1 of the NFL season, the Washington Commanders are four-point favorites to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. This sports betting guide has been designed to be a helping hand through your experience of sports betting, which will probably be mostly done through online. Point-spread bet: A type of wager in which you’re betting on a team to win by a certain amount of points or lose within a certain amount of points. This series will examine the impact of legalized gambling on sports, through news coverage, accountability journalism and advice for navigating this new landscape.