BetRivers sportsbook offers its users many different bet types for the variety of sports offered. If you're new to sports betting, we have a brief description of these bet types below.
Point Spread
One of the most common ways to bet a game at BetRivers sportsbook is by betting the point spread. To level the playing field and bring action in on both sides of a bet, the favorite in the matchup is given a handicap, or point spread.
For example, let's say the Chicago Bulls are a 6.5-point favorite over the Detroit Pistons, so the spread would be Bulls -6.5. Betting on them would mean they must win by seven or more points for you to win the bet. On the other side, Pistons +6.5 would hit if Detroit won the game or lost by fewer than seven points.
Totals
Another common bet type at BetRivers is betting the totals, or the over/under. This is often used when picking whether the two teams in the game will combine to score more (over) or less (under) than the number provided.
For example, if you see a total at 49.5 and bet the over, the two teams must combine to score 50 points or more to win the bet. If the two teams combine to score 49 points or fewer, you lose the bet.
BetRivers has point totals betting options for the full game, halves, quarters, and more.
Moneyline
The most simple bet type is a moneyline bet since it is simply picking the winner of the game or match. BetRivers moneyline odds can range anywhere from +100 (even money) to plus or minus numbers as high as 1000, in extreme circumstances in games not expected to be close.
If a team is favored to win, the odds will be listed as a negative number, like -165, meaning you have to risk $165 to win $100. The underdog will have a positive number like +190, meaning you only have to risk $100 to win $190.
While you can bet less than $100 on a moneyline bet at BetRivers, American odds are based on betting or winning $100.
Prop Bets
Prop bets, or proposition bets, are wagers on smaller in-game events instead of the outcome of the entire game. Betting on props could include team props, such as betting over/under a team's point total in the first half, or individual player props, such as a player scoring a goal or hitting a home run.
Futures
Futures bets are wagers on a future event. The most common type of futures bet at BetRivers is on a league's championship, such as the odds to win the 2023 Super Bowl. Other futures bet types include betting on awards, like league MVP or Rookie of the Year, win totals, series betting, and more. Since the payoff is often weeks or months away, the level of risk is typically higher, which is reflected in BetRivers' odds.
Parlays
Parlay bets combine multiple bets together, but all legs must win for the parlay to cash. Since parlay bets are harder to hit and have a higher level of risk, BetRivers increases the payout odds along with it. Parlays can feature moneylines, spreads, totals, and prop bets across all sports.
For example, a three-leg parlay could have Packers -6.5, Knicks-Nets over 215.5 points, and Lightning -135. If all bets hit, it could lead to a big payout. However, if one of the bets loses, then the entire parlay loses.
Teasers
Teaser bets give you the chance to shift the point spread or total for a parlay collectively up or down. Moving the line makes the overall bet easier to win, but it makes the betting odds less profitable.
For example, a parlay taking the Packers -6.5, Knicks-Nets over 215.5 points, and the Browns +5 has +597 odds. A four-point teaser would move the lines to Packers -2.5, Knicks-Nets over 211.5 points, and Browns +1 for +165 odds.
Live Betting
BetRivers Sportsbook offers live betting, or in-game betting, which is wagering on an outcome while the game is taking place. Based on the events of the game, the spread, total, and other odds will adjust, which creates opportunities for sports bettors to wager on different odds and outcomes than were available before the game began.
For example, let's pretend the Kansas City Chiefs were -6.5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, after the Chargers took an early 10-0 lead, the BetRivers may have moved the spread to Chargers -1.5. This gives users the ability to bet on the Chiefs or Chargers at the newly-adjusted spread and odds.
@FantasyFlurry