There are three core bet types most new U.S. bettors will encounter:
Single (aka Straight Bet)
Parlay (aka Accumulator in some regions)
System (closest U.S. equivalent: Round Robin / Parlay Combos)
Everything else is a variation or combination of these. If you’re just getting started, begin with the simplest format—the straight bet—so you only need to handicap one outcome at a time. For a practical look at how a major U.S. book prices markets, promos, and bet menus, check our BetRivers betting site analysis while you read through the basics below.
A straight bet is usually a new bettor’s first wager at a sportsbook. You pick one specific outcome. If it happens, you’re paid out based on the odds; if not, you lose your stake.
In U.S. books, many sports are offered as 2-way "moneyline" (no draw), but soccer and some niche markets use a 3-way outcome: Team 1 win, Team 2 win, or Draw (Tie).
Suppose the prices are listed in decimal odds (with approximate American odds in parentheses):
Team 1 wins: 1.20 (≈ -500)
Team 2 wins: 15.00 (≈ +1400)
Draw: 6.70 (≈ +570)
If you stake $100:
Team 1 win returns $120 total ($20 profit).
Team 2 win returns $1,500 total ($1,400 profit).
Draw returns $670 total ($570 profit).
(Return = Stake × Decimal Odds. Profit = Return − Stake.)
A parlay combines two or more individual selections into one bet ticket. Every leg must win for the parlay to cash (unless a push voids a leg—rules vary by book, but in the U.S. a push generally drops that leg out and recalculates).
Why bet a parlay? The odds multiply. That means a potentially much larger payout than making each bet separately.
When are parlays popular? They’re common when bettors want action across a weekend slate—say, several NFL Sunday games, NCAA basketball matchups, or an MLB series run.
Main risk: One wrong result wipes out the whole ticket. That’s the trade‑off for the bigger possible payout.
Tip: You don’t have to bet only moneylines. U.S. bettors often build parlays using spreads, totals (over/under), player props, and alternate lines.
A system bet (as described in many European books) is essentially a structured set of multiple smaller parlays built from a group of selections. In the U.S., the closest regular feature is a Round Robin: you pick several teams, and the sportsbook automatically creates all the 2-leg (or 3-leg, etc.) parlays from them. Because you’re splitting your stake across combinations, you can still win something even if not every selection hits.
Let’s walk through an example adapted to U.S. style.
Team 1 to beat Team 2 – 2.10 (≈ +110)
Team 3 to beat Team 4 – 1.32 (≈ -313)
Team 5 vs Team 6 to Draw – 3.40 (≈ +240)
If you build a Round Robin of 2-leg parlays (often called "2’s"), the book creates these combinations:
Parlay A: Team 1 ML + Team 3 ML
Parlay B: Team 1 ML + Draw (Team 5 vs Team 6)
Parlay C: Team 3 ML + Draw (Team 5 vs Team 6)
Now divide your total stake evenly across the three parlays. Say you risk $90 total → $30 per combo.
If all three selections hit:
Parlay A: 2.10 × 1.32 × $30 = $83.16 return
Parlay B: 2.10 × 3.40 × $30 = $214.20 return
Parlay C: 1.32 × 3.40 × $30 = $134.64 return
Total return: $431.99 (rounding from $431.80 in raw math).
Profit: $431.99 − $90 stake ≈ $341.99.
If Team 1 fails to win: Parlays A & B die, but Parlay C (Team 3 + Draw) still stands:
1.32 × 3.40 × $30 = $134.64 return → still a profit over your original $90 stake.
That’s the whole point: a system / round robin lets you survive one miss (or more, depending on structure) and potentially stay ahead.
A total is a prediction on the combined scoring in a game—runs, points, goals, corners, penalties, aces, etc., depending on the sport and market.
Over (O) means the total score must be higher than the posted line.
Under (U) means the total score must be lower than the posted line.
If you bet Over 1.5, the match must produce 2 or more total goals for your bet to win.
If you take Over 2 in soccer and the final score is 1–1 (2 total goals), the bet pushes (stake returned) at most U.S. books. You need 3+ total goals to win.
Totals exist in every major U.S. sport:
NFL: Over/Under 47.5 total points
NBA: Over/Under 226.0 total points
MLB: Over/Under 8.5 runs
NHL: Over/Under 6.0 goals (whole-number totals can push)
A spread gives an underdog a head start (or makes a favorite "lay" points) to create a more even betting proposition. This is similar to the "фора" concept in your original text.
You expect Team A not to lose in an upcoming game. You can back Team A +1:
Add +1 point to Team A’s final score for grading.
If the adjusted result shows Team A ahead, the bet wins.
If the adjusted result is tied, most books grade it a push (stake returned).
If Team A still trails after adding +1, the bet loses.
Lines like +0.5, -2.5, +7.5 eliminate the possibility of a push. Example: Team A +0.5 wins if Team A wins or ties (soccer); in U.S. football-style markets, +0.5 simply means your side must finish within that margin.
Most U.S. sportsbooks let you buy or sell points (e.g., +3.5, +7.5, -6.5) at adjusted odds.
Experience comes with time, so patience matters. A few core habits can save you money early:
Bankroll rules: Decide how much money you can afford to risk overall, then set a unit size (e.g., 1–2% of bankroll per bet). Avoid going “all‑in” on one game.
Limit exposure per event: Don’t load multiple correlated bets on the same game unless you understand the risk (some books restrict correlated parlays anyway).
Fade fandom: Try not to bet emotionally on your favorite team or athlete; fans overestimate their chances.
Test, measure, adjust: Track your bets. If a strategy doesn’t perform—fix it or abandon it.
Expect losses: Even sharp bettors go through downswings. No system guarantees constant profit. Losing streaks are part of the game.
Sports betting is entertainment first and a long game second. Learn the basic bet types—straight bets, parlays, round robins, totals, spreads—then apply good money management and clear-headed analysis. You will lose sometimes; even professionals do. The goal is to stay disciplined enough that when you win, you’re still in the game.