Best Prediction Markets for 2026

Explore the right prediction markets for you

Explore the right prediction markets for you

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The BetSmarter Newsletter

Betting strategies, new tools, and discounts. 3 minutes to read, delivered every Friday.

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BetSmart article hero image for Boxing Betting Guide: How to Bet on Boxing Fights

Boxing Betting Guide: How to Bet on Boxing Fights

Boxing odds move differently than team sports. Here is how to read them and where the value hides across every major fight market.

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BetSmart article hero image for Soccer Odds Explained: How to Read and Bet Soccer Lines

Soccer Odds Explained: How to Read and Bet Soccer Lines

Soccer betting odds look different from American sports lines. Here is how each format works and where to find value in soccer markets.

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BetSmart article hero image for Prop Finder Tools

Best Prop Finder Tools for 2026

Discover how prop finder tools streamline your research and help you identify value in player prop markets.

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BetSmart article hero image for AI Sports Betting Picks

AI Sports Betting Picks Guide

Understand how AI generates sports betting picks, the promises and limitations of AI models, and how to evaluate AI-driven betting services.

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BetSmart article hero image for Asian Handicap Betting Explained: How It Works

Asian Handicap Betting Explained: How It Works

Asian handicap betting removes the draw option and uses quarter lines to create more precise soccer betting markets.

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BetSmart article hero image for Draw No Bet Explained: How It Works in Soccer

Draw No Bet Explained: Strategy Guide for Smart Bettors

Draw no bet removes the draw outcome from soccer markets, giving you a refund if the match ends level.

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BetSmart article hero image for History of Sports Betting

History of Sports Betting

Sports betting is older than most civilizations, and the way we bet today would be unrecognizable to the bettors who came before us.

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BetSmart article hero image for Online Parlay Betting: How Parlays Work and When They Make Sense

Online Parlay Betting: How Parlays Work and When They Make Sense

Parlays combine multiple bets into one wager with bigger payouts and bigger risk. Here's how they work and how to approach them smarter.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Read Baseball Odds: A Complete Guide to MLB Betting Lines

How to Read Baseball Odds: A Complete Guide to MLB Betting Lines

Baseball odds look different from other sports. Here's how to read moneylines, run lines, totals, and player props in MLB betting.

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BetSmart article hero image for Head-to-Head Betting Explained

Head-to-Head Betting Explained

Head-to-head betting is the simplest form of sports wagering. Learn how moneyline odds work, when to bet H2H, and how to spot value in winner markets.

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BetSmart article hero image for How Does Online Sports Betting Work

How Does Online Sports Betting Work

A beginner-friendly walkthrough of how online sportsbooks operate, how bets are placed and paid out, and how smart bettors use tools to find an edge.

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BetSmart article hero image for Mathematics of Sports Betting

Mathematics of Sports Betting

A deep dive into the formulas, probabilities, and statistical concepts that separate profitable bettors from everyone else.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Football Betting Sites: Platforms and Tools for 2026

Best Football Betting Sites: Platforms and Tools for 2026

The right sportsbooks and tools work together to help you bet on football with a real edge.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Sports Betting App: Tools That Help You Bet Smarter

Best Sports Betting App: Tools That Help You Bet Smarter

The right sports betting app helps you research, track, and place smarter bets from your phone.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is Action in Sports Betting?

What Is Action in Sports Betting?

The word "action" shows up everywhere in sports betting, but it means different things depending on the context.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Parlay Apps: Build, Research, and Track Parlays Smarter

Best Parlay Apps: Build, Research, and Track Parlays Smarter

The right parlay app helps you build smarter legs, compare odds, and track your parlay performance over time.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Read NFL Odds

How to Read NFL Odds

Master the basics of NFL betting odds so you can understand spreads, moneylines, totals, and player props before placing your first football bet.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Parlays

Player Prop Parlays

A practical guide to building player prop parlays with better leg selection, correlation awareness, and realistic expectations.

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BetSmart article hero image for System Betting Explained

System Betting Explained

Understand system bets, including round robins and full covers, and learn when they offer advantages over traditional parlays.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Get Into Sports Betting

How to Get Into Sports Betting

Everything you need to know to start sports betting, from opening accounts to understanding odds and avoiding common beginner mistakes.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Get Good at Sports Betting

How to Get Good at Sports Betting

The fundamentals that separate profitable bettors from recreational ones, and how to develop them systematically.

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BetSmart article hero image for Betting Boards Explained

Betting Boards Explained

What betting boards show, how to interpret public betting data, and whether fading the public is actually a winning strategy.

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BetSmart article hero image for Peer to Peer Gambling

Peer to Peer Gambling

Understand how betting exchanges let you bet against other users instead of the house, and when this approach offers advantages.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Make a Living Sports Betting

How to Make a Living Sports Betting

The honest truth about professional sports betting, including the math, the grind, and whether it makes sense for you.

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BetSmart article hero image for Handle in Sports Betting

Handle in Sports Betting

Understanding handle, the total money wagered, and how this data reveals market dynamics and betting activity.

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BetSmart article hero image for Betting Management Software

Betting Management Software

How bet tracking and bankroll management software works, key features to look for, and the best options for serious bettors.

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BetSmart article hero image for Betting Football Parlays

Betting Football Parlays

How to approach football parlays strategically, including leg selection, correlation, and avoiding the mistakes that cost most bettors money.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Read Betting Odds: A Complete Guide

How to Read Betting Odds: A Complete Guide

Understanding odds is the first step to making informed bets. Here's how to read every format.

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BetSmart article hero image for Hedge Bets Explained: When and How to Hedge Your Wagers

Hedge Bets Explained: When and How to Hedge Your Wagers

Hedging lets you lock in profit or reduce risk, but it's not always the right move.

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BetSmart article hero image for Teaser Bets Explained: How Teasers Work in Sports Betting

Teaser Bets Explained: How Teasers Work in Sports Betting

Teasers let you move the line in your favor, but the reduced payout isn't always worth it.

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BetSmart article hero image for Money Line Betting Explained: The Simplest Bet in Sports

Money Line Betting Explained: The Simplest Bet in Sports

Moneyline betting is straightforward: pick the winner. The odds determine how much you win.

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BetSmart article hero image for Point Spread Meaning: What Spreads Are and How They Work

Point Spread Meaning: What Spreads Are and How They Work

The point spread creates balanced betting by handicapping the favorite with a margin requirement.

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BetSmart article hero image for Round Robin Betting Explained: How Round Robins Work

Round Robin Betting Explained: How Round Robins Work

Round robins create multiple smaller parlays from your selections, offering partial payouts when some legs lose.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is Over/Under in Betting? How Totals Work

What Is Over/Under in Betting? How Totals Work

Over/under betting focuses on combined scoring rather than picking a winner.

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BetSmart article hero image for Cash Out Betting Explained: When to Take Early Payouts

Cash Out Betting Explained: When to Take Early Payouts

Cash out lets you settle bets early, but the math rarely favors the bettor.

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BetSmart article hero image for Live Odds Explained: How In-Play Betting Odds Work

Live Odds Explained: How In-Play Betting Odds Work

Live odds update in real-time based on game action, creating unique betting opportunities.

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BetSmart article hero image for Understanding Sports Betting: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Understanding Sports Betting: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn how odds work, which bet types matter, how sportsbooks make money, and how to start betting with a real plan instead of guesswork.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Books About Sports Betting

Best Books About Sports Betting

From beginner fundamentals to advanced modeling and betting psychology, these are the sports betting books that actually make you sharper.

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BetSmart article hero image for PK Meaning in Sports Betting: What Pick 'Em Means

PK Meaning in Sports Betting: What Pick 'Em Means

PK stands for "pick" or "pick 'em" and means neither team is favored on the point spread.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is a Spread in Sports Betting?

What Is a Spread in Sports Betting?

The spread is one of the most popular bet types in sports, and understanding it is essential for any bettor.

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BetSmart article hero image for NFL Player Props Betting Guide

NFL Player Props Betting Guide

NFL player props offer hundreds of betting opportunities each week, and the right research process makes all the difference.

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BetSmart article hero image for MMA Betting Guide: How to Bet on UFC and MMA Fights

MMA Betting Guide: How to Bet on UFC and MMA Fights

MMA combines multiple fighting disciplines into one event. Here is how to break down the odds and find value on fight night.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is a Calcutta in Sports Betting?

What Is a Calcutta in Sports Betting?

Calcutta auctions let participants bid on competitors in a shared prize pool. Here is how they work, where they happen, and how to approach them strategically.

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BetSmart article hero image for How Do Super Bowl Squares Work?

How Do Super Bowl Squares Work?

Super Bowl squares are a popular social betting game using a 10x10 grid. Here is how the grid works, how winners are picked, and which numbers are worth more.

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BetSmart article hero image for Puck Line Betting Explained: How Hockey's Point Spread Works

Puck Line Betting Explained: How Hockey's Point Spread Works

The puck line is hockey's version of the point spread, set at -1.5 or +1.5 goals for nearly every game.

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BetSmart article hero image for Parlay Betting Strategy

Parlay Betting Strategy: How to Build Smarter Parlays

The math behind parlays, when they're worth it, and strategies that actually work.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Read Sports Betting Lines

How to Read Sports Betting Lines

Moneylines, point spreads, totals, and line movement all follow a simple logic once you know what you're looking at.

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BetSmart article hero image for Live Betting Explained: How In-Game Wagering Works

Live Betting Explained: How In-Game Wagering Works

Live betting lets you wager on games in progress, but the fast-moving odds require a different approach than pre-game betting.

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BetSmart article hero image for Prop Bets Explained: How to Bet Player and Game Props

Prop Bets Explained: How to Bet Player and Game Props

Prop bets let you wager on specific outcomes within a game rather than just the final score.

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BetSmart article hero image for Spread Betting Explained: How Point Spreads Work

Spread Betting Explained: How Point Spreads Work

Point spread betting evens the odds between mismatched teams by giving the underdog a head start.

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BetSmart article hero image for Betting Strategies: Proven Approaches to Smarter Sports Wagering

Betting Strategies: Proven Approaches to Smarter Sports Wagering

The best betting strategies are built on math, not hunches. Here's how to approach sports betting with a winning framework.

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BetSmart article hero image for Over and Under Betting: How Totals Work in Sports

Over and Under Betting: How Totals Work in Sports

Totals betting lets you wager on combined scoring rather than picking a winner.

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BetSmart article hero image for Handicap Betting Explained: How Handicaps Work in Sports

Handicap Betting Explained: How Handicaps Work in Sports

Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage.

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BetSmart article hero image for American Odds Explained: How to Read + and - Odds

American Odds Explained: How to Read + and - Odds

American odds use plus and minus signs to indicate underdogs and favorites. Here's exactly how to read them.

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BetSmart article hero image for Betting Terms Glossary: 50+ Terms Every Bettor Should Know

Betting Terms Glossary: 50+ Terms Every Bettor Should Know

Understanding betting terminology is the first step to betting smarter. Here's every term you need to know.

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BetSmart article hero image for Reverse Line Movement Explained: What It Means for Bettors

Reverse Line Movement Explained: What It Means for Bettors

When lines move opposite to public betting percentages, sharp money is usually the cause.

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BetSmart article hero image for Bankroll Management in Sports Betting: How to Manage Your Money

Bankroll Management in Sports Betting: How to Manage Your Money

Proper bankroll management is what separates sustainable bettors from those who go broke.

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BetSmart article hero image for Sports Betting for Beginners: Complete Guide to Getting Started

Sports Betting for Beginners: Complete Guide to Getting Started

Everything you need to know before placing your first sports bet.

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BetSmart article hero image for How Does Sports Betting Work? Complete Beginner's Breakdown

How Does Sports Betting Work? Complete Beginner's Breakdown

Sports betting is predicting outcomes and wagering money based on odds set by sportsbooks.

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BetSmart article hero image for Types of Bets in Sports Betting: Complete Guide to Every Bet Type

Types of Bets in Sports Betting: Complete Guide to Every Bet Type

From basic moneylines to complex parlays, here's every bet type you'll encounter.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Does Parlay Mean? How Parlays Work in Sports Betting

What Does Parlay Mean? How Parlays Work in Sports Betting

A parlay combines multiple bets into one with higher payouts but higher risk.

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BetSmart article hero image for Public Betting in Sports: What It Is and How to Use Public Money Data

Public Betting in Sports: What It Is and How to Use Public Money Data

Where the public puts its money affects how lines move. Here is how to read that data and use it to your advantage.

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BetSmart article hero image for Run Line Betting Explained: How Baseball Spread Betting Works

Run Line Betting Explained: How Baseball Spread Betting Works

The run line is a 1.5-run spread applied to every MLB game. Here is how it works, when to use it, and how alternate run lines create additional value.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Calculate Parlay Odds: The Math Behind Multi-Leg Bets

How to Calculate Parlay Odds: The Math Behind Multi-Leg Bets

Parlay odds are calculated by multiplying the decimal odds of each leg together. Understanding this math helps you evaluate whether a parlay is worth taking.

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BetSmart article hero image for Double Chance Bet Explained: How It Works in Soccer

Double Chance Bet Explained: How It Works in Soccer

A double chance bet covers two of the three possible outcomes in a soccer match, reducing risk at the cost of lower odds.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is Juice in Sports Betting?

What Is Juice in Sports Betting?

Juice is the sportsbook's cut on every bet you place. Learning to recognize it and reduce it is one of the fastest ways to improve your bottom line.

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BetSmart article hero image for Live Bet Sports Betting: A Practical Guide to In-Play Tactics

Live Bet Sports Betting: A Practical Guide to In-Play Tactics

You already know what live betting is. This guide focuses on how to actually execute it: reading momentum, hedging, middling, and managing your bankroll in real time.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Does -110 Mean in Betting? Odds Explained Simply

What Does -110 Mean in Betting? Odds Explained Simply

The -110 line is the single most common number in sports betting. Here is what it actually means for your wallet.

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BetSmart article hero image for Parlay Odds Explained: How Sportsbooks Price Multi-Leg Bets

Parlay Odds Explained: How Sportsbooks Price Multi-Leg Bets

Parlay payouts look attractive on the bet slip, but the math behind them is designed to favor the sportsbook. Here is how the pricing actually works.

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BetSmart article hero image for College Football Lines Explained: Reading and Betting NCAAF Odds

College Football Lines Explained: Reading and Betting NCAAF Odds

College football lines feature bigger spreads, more variance, and more value opportunities than the NFL. Here is how to read and bet them.

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BetSmart article hero image for Martingale System in Betting: Why It Doesn't Work Long-Term

Martingale System in Betting: Why It Doesn't Work Long-Term

The Martingale system promises guaranteed profits but delivers guaranteed ruin over time.

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BetSmart article hero image for DraftKings Parlay

DraftKings Parlay

A practical guide to building parlays on DraftKings, including same-game parlays, boosts, and strategies that improve your edge.

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BetSmart article hero image for Elite Sports Betting: What Separates Profitable Bettors

Elite Sports Betting: What Separates Profitable Bettors

Elite sports betting is not about picking winners. It is about building a process that finds value consistently over thousands of bets.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Betting: A Complete Guide to Getting Started

Player Prop Betting: A Complete Guide to Getting Started

Player prop betting is one of the fastest-growing bet types in sports, and a solid research process makes all the difference.

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BetSmart article hero image for Key Terms in Sports Betting: Essential Vocabulary Every Bettor Needs

Key Terms in Sports Betting: Essential Vocabulary Every Bettor Needs

Understanding the language of sports betting is the first step to making smarter bets.

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BetSmart article hero image for NBA Player Props: How to Find Value in the NBA Prop Market

NBA Player Props: How to Find Value in the NBA Prop Market

NBA player props are one of the most opportunity-rich markets in sports betting when you know where to look.

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BetSmart article hero image for Prop Betting Explained: Every Type of Prop Bet in Sports

Prop Betting Explained: Every Type of Prop Bet in Sports

Prop betting goes far beyond player stats. Understanding every prop type opens up more ways to find value.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Calculate Odds in Betting

How to Calculate Odds in Betting

Step-by-step formulas for converting odds, calculating implied probability, and spotting value in any betting market.

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BetSmart article hero image for Kelly Criterion Sports Betting: How to Size Your Bets

Kelly Criterion Sports Betting: How to Size Your Bets

The Kelly Criterion is a proven formula for calculating exactly how much of your bankroll to wager on each bet. Here's how it works and how to use it.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is the Vig in Sports Betting?

What Is the Vig in Sports Betting?

The vig (also called juice or vigorish) is the sportsbook's built-in fee on every wager. Understanding how it works is the first step to becoming a sharper bettor.

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BetSmart article hero image for Closing Lines and CLV: The Best Measure of Betting Skill

Closing Lines and CLV: The Best Measure of Betting Skill

Closing line value tells you whether you're actually sharp or just running hot. Here's how to track it and how to beat the close.

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BetSmart article hero image for Value Betting Explained: How to Find and Exploit Betting Value

Value Betting Explained: How to Find and Exploit Betting Value

Value betting is the foundation of profitable sports betting. Learn how to spot value, which tools surface it, and how to build a long-term edge.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Make Money in Sports Betting

How to Make Money in Sports Betting

Most bettors lose. The ones who profit treat betting like investing, with data, discipline, and the right tools. Here is what actually works.

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BetSmart article hero image for AI Betting: How AI Sports Betting Tools Work and Which Ones Are Worth It

AI Betting: How AI Sports Betting Tools Work and Which Ones Are Worth It

AI betting tools use machine learning and data analysis to generate projections, find +EV bets, and analyze player props. Here's what actually works.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Win at Sports Betting: Build a Process That Actually Works

How to Win at Sports Betting: Build a Process That Actually Works

Winning at sports betting has nothing to do with picking the right teams. It's about building a repeatable system grounded in data, discipline, and the right tools.

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BetSmart article hero image for College Sports Betting: Where to Find Real Edges

College Sports Betting: Where to Find Real Edges

College football and basketball betting offer softer lines, more games, and bigger public bias; here's how to exploit them.

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BetSmart article hero image for ATS Sports Betting Explained: What Against The Spread Means

ATS Sports Betting Explained: What Against The Spread Means

Learn what ATS means, how point spread betting works, and how to use ATS records and strategies to make sharper bets.

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BetSmart article hero image for Sports Betting Tool Updates - September 2025

Sports Betting Tool Updates - September 2025

Sports betting tools are updating all the time. Check out some can't miss updates to some of the best betting tools.

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BetSmart article hero image for Arbitrage Sports Betting: How to Profit With No Risk

Arbitrage Sports Betting: How to Profit With No Risk

Learn how arbitrage sports betting works, how to find risk-free opportunities, and what tools can help you bet both sides of a game with profit.

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BetSmart article hero image for NFL Player Prop Tool: How to Research Smarter This Season

NFL Player Prop Tool: How to Research Smarter This Season

Looking for an NFL player prop tool? Use football prop tools to research trends, compare lines, find value, and make sharper, more confident NFL bets to profit.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Analyzer: Tools to Find Sharper Prop Bets

Player Prop Analyzer: Tools to Find Sharper Prop Bets

Looking for a powerful player prop analyzer? Here’s how to research prop bets like a pro using real stats, trends, and one of the best tools in the game.

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BetSmart article hero image for EV Sports Betting: Mastering Expected Value for Smarter Bets

EV Sports Betting: Mastering Expected Value for Smarter Bets

EV sports betting is all about expected value. Learn how to use this powerful metric to find smarter bets and boost your long-term edge.

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BetSmart article hero image for Live Arbitrage Betting: How to Lock In Profits During the Game

Live Arbitrage Betting: How to Lock In Profits During the Game

Live arbitrage betting is a way to secure risk-free profit while events are in action. Read up on how to live arbitrage bet and the best tool to use.

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BetSmart article hero image for Live Odds Comparison: Finding the Best Lines in Real Time

Live Odds Comparison: Finding the Best Lines in Real Time

Want to find the best prices while betting live? A live odds comparison tool helps you track real-time lines and grab value before the market shifts.

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BetSmart article hero image for NBA Player Prop Tool: Unlock Better Basketball Betting

NBA Player Prop Tool: Unlock Better Basketball Betting

Looking for the best NBA player prop tool? Discover how basketball player prop tools help you find data edges and help improve your NBA prop betting strategy.

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BetSmart article hero image for Free Arbitrage Betting: Risk-Free Bets Without Paying

Free Arbitrage Betting: Risk-Free Bets Without Paying

Learn how free arbitrage betting works and how to find risk-free betting opportunities using no-cost tools. Discover how to make a profit with no risk.

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BetSmart article hero image for MLB Player Prop Tool: Analyze Baseball Props Like a Pro

MLB Player Prop Tool: Analyze Baseball Props Like a Pro

Find the best MLB player prop tool for betting research, stats, and projections. Discover how to gain an edge with baseball prop analytics.

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BetSmart article hero image for Positive EV Betting Tool: Find Value and Beat the Books

Positive EV Betting Tool: Find Value and Beat the Books

Looking for a positive EV betting tool? Learn how to find +EV bets using software designed to give you a long-term edge in sports betting.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Hit Rate: Use Historical Data to Find Good Bets

Player Prop Hit Rate: Use Historical Data to Find Good Bets

Wondering what player prop hit rate means? Learn how to use historical success rates to identify smarter bets and how tools make your research process better.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Betting: Smarter Research, Sharper Picks

Player Prop Betting: Smarter Research, Sharper Picks

Want to win more with player prop betting? Learn how to build smarter prop strategies using stats, trends, and tools designed to help you spot value.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Player Prop Tool: What to Look For and Why It Matters

Best Player Prop Tool: What to Look For and Why It Matters

Looking for the best player prop tool? Explore top prop bet software and research platforms designed to help you bet smarter and make more cash on every game.

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BetSmart article hero image for Player Prop Projections: Using Data for Projecting Lines

Player Prop Projections: Using Data for Projecting Lines

Looking for player prop projections you can trust? Learn how to turn projected stats into smarter bets with research tools designed for prop betting.

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BetSmart article hero image for Best Prop Bets: How to Spot Value and Bet Smarter

Best Prop Bets: How to Spot Value and Bet Smarter

Want to find the best prop bets? Here’s how smart bettors identify value using trends, stats, and tools designed to simplify player prop research.

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BetSmart article hero image for Line Shopping Apps for Bettors

Line Shopping Apps for Bettors

Line shopping helps you find the best odds across sportsbooks, and apps now make it faster and easier than ever.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Does the Line Mean in Sports Betting?

What Does the Line Mean in Sports Betting?

Learn what “the line” means in sports betting and how it shapes every bet you place.

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BetSmart article hero image for How to Make Sports Betting Easy

How to Make Sports Betting Easy

Learn the basics of how sports betting works and how to keep it simple, even if you're just starting out.

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BetSmart article hero image for Sports Betting Parlays Explained

Sports Betting Parlays Explained

Learn what parlays are, how they work, and why bettors love them despite the risk.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is Sharp Sports Betting?

What Is Sharp Sports Betting?

A quick look at what makes a bettor “sharp” and how sharp betting works.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is a Unit in Sports Betting?

What Is a Unit in Sports Betting?

Understand what a unit is and why it’s essential for bankroll management.

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BetSmart article hero image for What Is a Betting Edge in Sports Betting?

What Is a Betting Edge in Sports Betting?

Learn what a betting edge is and how bettors use it to find value and beat the market.

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BetSmart article hero image for Bonus Bets Explained: How They Work and How to Use Them

Bonus Bets Explained: How They Work and How to Use Them

Bonus bets are one of the most common sportsbook promotions, and knowing how to use them properly can add real value to your bankroll.

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vig sports betting explained

Betting Exchanges Explained

Learn how betting exchanges work, their advantages over traditional sportsbooks, and the best options for US bettors.

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Teaser Bets Explained: How They Work and When to Use Them

Teaser Bets Explained: How They Work and When to Use Them

Learn how teaser bets work, when to use them, and the optimal strategy for adjusting point spreads and totals in your favor.

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Understanding Prediction Markets: Event-Based Betting for the Data-Driven

What Are Prediction Markets?

Prediction markets are platforms where users buy and sell shares in the outcome of real-world events—sports, politics, economics, and more. These outcomes trade like stocks, with prices moving based on market sentiment and volume.

Rather than setting odds like a sportsbook or matching peers like an exchange, prediction markets use a trading interface where the “price” of a contract reflects the probability of an event happening (e.g., $0.63 = 63% implied chance).

How Prediction Markets Work

Here’s how the core structure works:

  • Each event (e.g., “Team A wins the championship” or “Candidate X wins the election”) is represented by a binary contract: yes or no.

  • You can buy shares of either outcome at a price between $0.01 and $0.99.

  • When the event resolves, winning shares pay out $1.00; losing shares become worthless.

  • Prices change in real time as other users buy/sell based on new info or sentiment shifts.

It’s essentially event-based trading instead of traditional fixed-odds betting.

Examples of Prediction Market Platforms

Some leading platforms in this space include:

  • Kalshi – Regulated U.S. prediction market focused on politics, economics, and macro events.

  • Polymarket – Crypto-based, decentralized prediction market for everything from sports to current events.

  • Insight Prediction – More open-ended, prediction platform built for traders across topics.

Prediction Markets vs. Sportsbooks & Exchanges

Platform Type

Who You Bet Against

Market Type

Odds/Prices

Example Use Case

Sportsbook

The house

Fixed odds

Set by book

Bet $100 on Team A to win at -110

Betting Exchange

Other users

Peer-to-peer

Set by supply/demand

Lay Team A, back Team B

Prediction Market

Other users + system

Event-based contracts

$0.01–$0.99 trading

Buy $0.40 shares that Team A wins title

Prediction markets blur the line between betting and trading. They require a more analytical, probability-driven mindset and reward early information, news monitoring, and value forecasting. Although they are not a sportsbook, prediction markets offer promotions, so it's worth checking out all sportsbook promos.

Why People Use Prediction Markets

Prediction markets attract:

  • Traders who want to profit off public sentiment shifts

  • Bettors looking for sharper pricing and unique markets

  • Researchers and institutions who study forecasting accuracy

They’re especially powerful in markets like:

  • Politics (e.g., “Who will win the 2024 election?”)

  • Economic data (e.g., “Will inflation exceed 3% by Q3?”)

  • Social events (e.g., “Will [event] happen before [date]?”)

  • Sports (though less popular here due to lower liquidity)

Legal Status and Considerations

  • Kalshi is CFTC-regulated in the U.S.

  • Polymarket is banned in some regions due to crypto regulations

  • PredictIt was previously the most popular U.S. political market, but its legal status changed in 2023

  • Some platforms are offshore or decentralized, so proceed with caution and do your own diligence

Prediction Markets FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about prediction markets.

Here are some frequently asked questions about prediction markets.

What is a prediction market?

What is a prediction market?

How do prediction markets differ from sportsbooks?

How do prediction markets differ from sportsbooks?

Are prediction markets legal in the U.S.?

Are prediction markets legal in the U.S.?

Can I use prediction markets to bet on sports?

Can I use prediction markets to bet on sports?

What’s the best strategy for using prediction markets?

What’s the best strategy for using prediction markets?

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Expert reviews & comparisons of 40+ sports betting tools that help you find your edge & bet smarter.

21+. Please play responsibly. For support with a gambling addiction, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

© 2026 BetSmart. All rights reserved

Expert reviews & comparisons of 40+ sports betting tools that help you find your edge & bet smarter.

21+. Please play responsibly. For support with a gambling addiction, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

© 2026 BetSmart. All rights reserved