If you’re a sports fan, there’s no doubt that betting on the games is a big part of the fun. And since legalized sports betting is now a part of the mainstream culture, there are more ways than ever to place a bet and see if your picks are right. But before you make your first bet, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

First, you need to set aside some money to use solely for your bets. It’s a good idea to open a specific bank account that is just for this purpose, and to have at least a few hundred dollars in it at all times. You’ll need this for your initial bets, as well as any other bets you might want to make in the future.

Next, you need to understand the different types of bets and how they work. The simplest bet is called a moneyline, where you wager on the outcome of a game or event. Another type of bet is a spread, which handicaps one team over another when two teams meet. The oddsmakers assign a number that the favorite must win by or cover, so that a bet on the underdog pays out. This is also sometimes referred to as a point spread, and it’s very common in baseball.

Finally, there are prop bets, which are wagers on more specific aspects of a game, such as how many strikeouts a pitcher will have. These bets are often much higher risk than standard moneylines and spreads, but they can provide a greater reward if your pick is correct. Props are a great way to add some extra excitement to your viewing experience, and they can even be a lucrative source of income if you’re skilled enough to make them pay off.

Lastly, it’s important to look at all the available stats before making your bets. There are a lot of them, and it’s up to you to determine which ones are most important for each sport. In baseball, for example, you can study things like batting average, home/away records, and opponent ERAs. And in football, you can look at quarterback vs. running back matchups, coaching battles, and efficiency numbers.

The legalization of sports betting has brought a number of changes to the world of professional sports. In addition to the expansion of league partnerships with DraftKings and FanDuel, there are also more opportunities for fans to bet on the games themselves.

However, while the growth of sports betting is welcome, it has come with its own problems. From alleged point shaving and spot-fixing to bad calls by referees, sports betting has been plagued with scandals that have damaged the integrity of the games. This has led some people to question whether or not it’s even fair to bet on the outcomes of sporting events. This episode of FRESH AIR looks at the issue and talks to sports journalist Eric Lipton about some of the scandals in the industry.