How to Get Into Sports Betting: A Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know to start sports betting, from opening accounts to understanding odds and avoiding common beginner mistakes.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 6, 2026
5 min read
Getting Started with Sports Betting
Sports betting has never been more accessible. With legal sportsbooks operating in most U.S. states, getting started is easier than ever. But accessible does not mean easy to profit from. I started betting on sports over five years ago, and my first year was full of mistakes that I now help others avoid. This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know: how to open accounts, understand the basics, set up a bankroll, and use tools that give you an edge from day one. If you approach sports betting as a skill to develop rather than entertainment to consume, you will be ahead of most bettors before you place your first wager.
article Summary
Getting into sports betting requires opening accounts at legal sportsbooks, understanding basic bet types and odds, setting a bankroll you can afford to lose, and treating betting as a skill to develop. Start with one sport, track your bets, and use research tools to make informed decisions.
Step 1: Open Sportsbook Accounts
Before you can bet, you need accounts at legal sportsbooks. This process is straightforward but involves a few decisions.
Choose Legal, Licensed Sportsbooks
Only bet with sportsbooks licensed in your state. Major options include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and ESPN Bet. Avoid offshore books that operate illegally in the U.S. They lack consumer protections and can make withdrawing your winnings difficult or impossible.
Sign Up at Multiple Books
Opening accounts at 3-5 sportsbooks is one of the best decisions a beginner can make. Different books offer different odds on the same games, and having options lets you always bet where the price is best. Most sportsbooks also offer sign-up bonuses, so spreading your initial deposits captures more value. The concept of line shopping becomes possible only when you have multiple accounts.
Complete Verification
Sportsbooks require identity verification (name, address, SSN) to comply with regulations. This is standard and secure. Have your ID ready when signing up to speed up the process.
Step 2: Understand the Basics
Before placing money on games, you need to understand what you are actually betting on. The fundamentals are simpler than they appear.
How Odds Work
American odds show favorites with negative numbers (like -150) and underdogs with positive numbers (like +130). Negative odds tell you how much you need to bet to win $100. Positive odds tell you how much you win on a $100 bet. The number -110 is the standard for most bets, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.
Common Bet Types
The three main bet types are spreads (betting on margin of victory), moneylines (betting on who wins outright), and totals (betting on combined score over or under a number). Master these before exploring parlays, props, and other bet types. Each has its own dynamics and strategies.
The Vig Explained
Sportsbooks make money by charging juice or vig on every bet. The standard -110 on both sides of a spread means the book keeps roughly 4.5% of total action over time. This is why long-term winning requires more than 50% accuracy; you need to win roughly 52.4% to break even at -110 odds.
Step 3: Set Up Your Bankroll
Bankroll management is the foundation of sustainable betting. Getting this right from the start prevents costly lessons later.
Only Bet What You Can Afford to Lose
Your betting bankroll should be money separate from rent, bills, and savings. Assume you could lose all of it. If losing that amount would cause financial stress, the bankroll is too large. Most recreational bettors should start with $200-$500 and treat it as an entertainment budget.
Use Consistent Unit Sizing
A unit is a standard bet size, typically 1-2% of your bankroll. If your bankroll is $500, a 1% unit is $5. Betting consistent units protects you from the emotional swings of chasing losses or overconfidence after wins. Never bet 10% or 20% of your bankroll on a single game, no matter how confident you feel.
Track Everything
From your first bet, record what you wagered, the odds, the outcome, and your profit or loss. A bet tracking app automates this, but even a spreadsheet works. Tracking reveals which bet types work for you and which do not. I discovered early on that my NFL spread bets were profitable while my NBA totals were not, simply by reviewing my records.
Step 4: Start Simple and Build Skills
The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to do too much too fast. A focused approach produces better results.
Focus on One Sport
Pick the sport you know best and bet only that sport for your first few months. You cannot be an expert in NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports simultaneously. Depth of knowledge beats breadth. I focused exclusively on NFL for my first full season, and the concentrated learning accelerated my development.
Avoid Parlays at First
Parlays are tempting because of big payouts, but they are also high-margin products for sportsbooks. Each additional leg compounds the house edge. Start with straight bets until you understand how to evaluate value. Once you have developed that skill, you can explore parlays strategically. Read parlays explained before building them.
Use Research Tools
Modern bettors have access to tools that did not exist a decade ago. Odds comparison tools show you the best prices, prop research platforms provide player data, and bet trackers analyze your performance. Starting with tools like Outlier or Action Network PRO accelerates your learning curve. Check out the best sports betting tools for options at different price points.
Avoiding Common Beginner Mistakes
Knowing what to avoid is as important as knowing what to do. These mistakes cost beginners the most money.
Chasing Losses
After a losing day, the temptation to bet bigger to "get even" is real but destructive. Chasing turns small losses into catastrophic ones. Stick to your unit size regardless of recent results. Variance is part of betting, and discipline during downswings separates winners from losers.
Betting Without Research
Betting on gut feelings or team loyalty is gambling, not investing. Before placing any bet, understand why you think the line is wrong. If you cannot articulate a reason beyond "I feel good about the Chiefs," you are guessing. Research, even 10 minutes per game, improves your edge significantly.
Ignoring Line Shopping
Betting at whatever odds your favorite sportsbook offers leaves money on the table. Always check 2-3 books before placing. Getting -105 instead of -110 saves roughly $5 per $100 risked. Over hundreds of bets, that compounds into real money.
Final Thoughts
Getting into sports betting is easy. Getting good at sports betting takes time, discipline, and continuous learning. Start by opening accounts at multiple sportsbooks, understanding basic odds and bet types, setting a responsible bankroll, and tracking every bet you make. Focus on one sport, avoid chasing losses, and use research tools to make informed decisions. The bettors who treat this as a skill to develop rather than pure entertainment are the ones who eventually see consistent profits. Take it seriously from day one, and you will skip the expensive lessons that cost most beginners their first bankroll.
Getting Into Sports Betting FAQ
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