Bet 101 Archives - Page 3 of 5

How to bet on UFC: Outrights, method of victory, round betting and more

Elite competition, thousands of chanting fans, boisterous entrances, and celebrity cameos — this is what you can expect but do you know how to bet on the UFC?

-> New to UFC wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship is its most popular promotion.

While the UFC is considered the pinnacle of MMA, there are other promotions — such as Bellator, and the Premier Fighting League — that also showcase top talent. You can, of course, bet on those, too.

How to bet on UFC

In this UFC betting guide, we are going to focus on the most common MMA betting markets, including outrights and method of victory. In addition, we will also provide examples of how to bet on UFC parlays and futures.

While the UFC isn’t an everyday sport, there are big events nearly every weekend. That gives bettors an opportunity to consistently get in on the action and wager on their favourite fighters.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly UFC markets

How to bet on UFC outrights (moneyline)

Outright betting is undoubtedly the most popular way to bet on the UFC and the concept is simple: In short, pick the winner of the fight and you will win if done correctly. This can also be referred to as the moneyline (ML).

There are many ways a fight can end, but the method of victory does not matter for an outright bet. A fight can therefore end in a knockout, the judges’ decision, or even disqualification. If your pick is declared the winner, you win the bet.

Each fighter will either be listed as a favourite, with a minus (-) sign before his or her odds, or an underdog, which is noted by a plus (+) sign. A good example to use is perhaps the most famous fight in UFC history — Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.

-> Want to see current UFC outright prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

UFC outright odds

The odds for that McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov fight looked like this:

McGregor +130 (underdog)
Nurmagomedov -160 (favourite)

If you were to place $100 on McGregor to win outright it would have netted a profit of $130 if he won. You needed to place $160 to win $100 on Khabib, with the $60 being the sportsbook’s commission (juice) for taking the bet since he was the favourite.

Favourites in the UFC can vary anywhere from -110, which is basically a pick’em, to around -1,000.

At -160, that meant that there was a 61.5% implied probability of Khabib winning. A -1,000 favourite indicates a 90.9% implied probability of victory.

For a -1,000 favourite, you would have to wager $1,000 to return $100. Disparity like this is typically seen when a fighter severely outclasses their opponent.

While fighters are forced to compete within weight classes (there are eight different weight classes for men and four for women), there can still be physical advantages such as reach and height that can dictate how the odds are set.

Technical skills such as wrestling discipline, striking ability, and takedown defence are even more influential in setting the odds.

Upsets may be unlikely, but anything can happen in a combat sport. One huge upset was when Julianna Pena (+700 underdog) defeated nine-time defending champion Amanda Nunes (-1,400 favourite) via submission in the second round at UFC 269.

A $100 bet on Pena would have won $700.

Method of victory

Similar to outright betting, method of victory betting requires choosing the winner of the contest but also picking how the fight will end.

We’ll take a look at the different scenarios below.

Explore Method of Victory markets and live props at NorthStar Bets

-> Check out the latest fighter props and Method of Victory markets every day at NorthStar Bets – from submissions to knockouts and much more

-> Check out the latest fighter props and Method of Victory markets every day at NorthStar Bets – from submissions to knockouts and much more

KO/TKO/DQ or submission

This is known as finishing the fight “inside.” Each fight consists of three rounds (five if it’s the main event or a title fight). If a competitor is knocked out, the fight is over. The bout would also be over if a fighter is deemed unable to continue by a doctor or referee. That’s known as a technical knockout.

Additionally, if a fighter forces their opponent to tap out (submission), the fight is over. Finally, a fighter can be disqualified in rare circumstances.

Charles Oliveira has the most finishes (20) in UFC history. Photo by Chase Stevens/AP.

Decision or technical decision

If all rounds culminate without a stoppage the fight goes to a decision.

The winner of the fight will then be determined by three judges who are tabbed with keeping a round-by-round score using a 10-point scoring system. The judges will award 10 points to the winner of the round and up to nine points to the opponent. A tied round is scored 10-10.

The judges then compare cards and if all three agree, it becomes a unanimous decision. It’s considered a split decision if only two of the three judges agree. Either way, whoever has the most votes wins.

When choosing to bet on method of victory, it’s important to consider whether the competitor is known for having knockout power or if their game is based around endurance and wearing the competition out.

Let’s use the example of Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, who headlined UFC 293.

Strickland was +480 to win outright, while Adesanya sat at -650. Betting on Strickland to win by decision changed his odds to +1,100 while Adesanya to win by decision was set at +145.

Strickland won via decision and those who bet on him made significant profits.

Round betting

Round betting is another wrinkle similar to method of victory. You are predicting what round the fight will end in. It doesn’t matter how the fight ends, but only what round it finishes in.

You can place a wager on a fighter to win in a specific round or simply pick the round you believe the fight will end in regardless of the victor:

Round	Fighter X	Fighter Y	Either
1	+400	+550	+210
2	+700	+750	+350
3	+1400	+1100	+650
4	+2500	+1600	+1100
5	+3300	+2500	+1800

Round betting can be advantageous if there is a large disparity in talent between the competitors. Islam Makhachev fought Dan Hooker at UFC 267 and was a -600 favourite outright, while his odds to win inside sat at -230.

Try round-by-round UFC betting and live markets now on NorthStar Bets.

-> Ready to try UFC round-by-round betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines

Makhachev, who has a history of finishing fights early, was +250 to win in the first round.

It would have been a good day to place that bet as Makhachev submitted Hooker in the first round. A $100 wager would have netted a $250 profit.

Round totals

Betting on UFC round totals is similar to round betting, but with a twist: it does not matter who wins. When betting on the UFC, or any MMA promotion, you have the option to pick the total rounds a fight will last.

This is similar to an over/under bet in other sports and will look like this:

1.5 total rounds: over (-200), under (+175)
2.5 total rounds: over (-110), under (-110)
3.5 total rounds: over (+150), under (-140)
4.5 total rounds: over (+220), under (-240)

The .5 indicates the round would have to go over the 2:30 mark in the following round (each round is five minutes long). The over 1.5 total round bet would cash once 2:30 is eclipsed in the second round.

These lines would change based on the competition. If the two fighters are both knockout specialists, the unders would have significantly lower odds.

-> Compare round totals across every UFC fight when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

How to bet on UFC parlays

Parlays are an incredibly popular way to bet on the UFC. A parlay is when you combine two or more separate bets into one ticket. Each bet inside a parlay is known as a leg.

Keep in mind that for a parlay to win, every leg on the ticket has to cash. If one selection loses, the entire parlay does.

It’s difficult to net a large return when selecting favourites in the UFC outrights betting market. Favourites often sit around -300, -350, and even -600, leading to small returns on single-event wagers. If you’re confident in those heavy favourites winning, however, a parlay could be your best option for a strong ROI.

You can also parlay round totals, finishes, and moneylines together — there are literally thousands of different possibilities.

An example of a parlay bet looks like this:

Pantoja to win by decision (+175)
Barralho to win outright (-300)
Jose Aldo vs. Johnathan Martinez over 2.5 rounds (-130)

That comes out to +643 odds. You would need all three outcomes of that bet to be correct and a $100 wager would produce a profit of $643.

-> Build your own UFC same-fight parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

How to bet on UFC futures

Future betting in the UFC differs from other sports as there’s no market for predicting title contenders. Who will fight for a title could change on a weekly basis depending on who’s competing.

Odds will typically come out shortly after a UFC event is announced, however, meaning you can place a bet on a fight that is several months away.

-> Want to see updated UFC belt odds? Create your account at NorthStar Bets and access futures markets year-round

This presents an opportunity to wager on odds before they shift in the weeks leading up to the fight. This is smart if you think a fighter’s opening line offers a lot of value.

For example, Makhachev could open as a -300 favourite, but enter the fight with -600 odds. Odds shift due to liabilities and are done to ensure sportsbooks can maintain a certain profit margin.

-> Ready to put your UFC knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

Looking to get started? Sign up now.

How to bet on player and game props

Prop bets are bets that have to do with specific outcomes in a game that aren’t related to the winner or loser of the contest.

The prop market is robust and has tons of offerings to choose from on any given night.

The big prop market centres around player props, which are bets that you can make on an individual athlete’s performance. These props focus on a player’s output in a particular category, such as how many points or assists they will get.

How to bet on props

At NorthStar Bets, a number is set and you have the option to either bet the over or under on it.

For instance, you can place bets on the O/U of how many points Scottie Barnes will score in a game. If his prop is set at 14.5 points, you can pick either side and both will be assigned a set of odds.

Player props will be available for most guys — certainly stars such as LeBron James — and markets covered beyond points include assists, rebounds, 3-pointers and more.

If basketball isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You can also bet the O/U on how many passing yards Josh Allen will throw for, how many shots Leon Draisaitl will record in a game or the number of strikeouts Jose Berrios will generate.

Props across all the major sports follow the same format as the Barnes example. You will see a total that you can either bet the over or under on and will odds attached to it.

There are many prop options for the major offensive categories for each sport (yards, goals, runs, home runs, points, and so on). The NFL typically has some of the largest offerings.

Player prop odds

While spreads and totals are usually set at -110 for both the over and under, props have more variance.

Sometimes the over or under price will be shaded more toward one side when the operator deems it the more likely outcome.

*Stars like Curry are popular plays on the prop market. Photo by Jeff Chiu/AP.*

For example, you can place a bet on whether Steph Curry will exceed a certain number of 3-pointers in a game. You may see different odds for the over and under.

Let’s say the total 3-pointers made is set at 3.5, a number the Golden State Warriors’ star guard regularly surpasses. That would be factored into the price and the odds may look something like this: -155 for the over and +140 for the under.

Your earning potential would be higher on the under bet. That’s because Curry, one of the league’s top long-range shooters, typically records more than three 3-pointers in a game.

Nothing in a player prop bet is tied to the actual outcome of the game. Whether the Warriors win or lose would be irrelevant as it relates to that Curry prop. The same goes for the Allen and Draisaitl examples as well.

Game props

There are also markets for game props. Those have to do with events in the game, but like player props, not the actual outcome.

How many touchdowns will be scored in a game and the number of total power-play goals in a contest are examples of game props.

How to understand over/under betting and wager on totals

NorthStar Bets' NBA Injury Report keeps you up-to-date with essential information to help you make smart, informed bets.

Wagering on the total score of a game is one of the most popular sports betting markets. This is known as over/under betting.

Every game will have a projected total (for runs, goals, points, etc.) that the two teams have to combine to score and you can either bet the over or the under on it. In other words, you can wager on whether they will fall short or eclipse the projected total.

That’s how the total gets its over/under name, which is also referred to as the O/U for short. All three of these betting terms mean the same thing.

Over/under odds

Like point spreads, the odds for a total are usually the same or quite similar for both the over and the under. This number is generally set at -110 or somewhere within this range. That’s especially true for NBA and NFL totals.

You will sometimes see the odds shaded to one side. An example of this would be odds of -115 for the under and -105 for the over. The odds typically don’t stray too far away from that in either direction unless you’re betting on alternative totals. But the sports where you do see greater variance are hockey and baseball.

At the standard -110 odds, you would have to wager $110 to make a $100 profit.

Alternative totals

Alternative totals are numbers, in either direction, that differ from the main point total. The odds reflect the change in number and will differ from the main -110 line.

You can assume more risk on an unlikelier outcome for a larger payout or accept more juice (the cut that goes to the operator for taking your bet) by placing a wager that has a greater probability of occurring.

For instance, an operator could set a 222.5-point total for a Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics game at -110 odds, meaning 223-plus points would be required for your best to cash if you took the over. An under bet would be successful if the teams scored 222 points or fewer.

There are other lines to bet on, too. Taking the over on 219.5 points might be priced at -145 odds, or over 226.5 points at +120. Odds of -145 would require a $145 wager to win $100, while you’d win $120 on a $100 bet at +120.

Over/under betting in the Big Four

Since scoring can vary significantly across the major North American sports, totals look different depending on which league you are betting on.

The NBA, of course, comes with the largest totals, which are typically set between 200-230 points. Following the NBA is the NFL, where the O/U usually sits between 40-50 points.

MLB sees totals that, for the most part, fall in the 7.5-10.5-run range. The NHL, meanwhile, has the least discrepancy between numbers and the O/U is usually 5.5 or 6.5 goals. NHL totals rarely go above 6.5, while MLB has a lot more factors that go into setting the number.

*Games played at Colorado’s hitter-friendly Coors Field consistently see the highest MLB totals. Photo by David Zalubowski/AP.*

Two things especially make MLB unique in this regard. For starters, ballparks have an impact on the O/U, as some stadiums are strong offensive environments while others suppress runs. Secondly, the quality of the starting pitcher plays a major role in not only determining the favourite but also what the over/under is.

Totals can vary considerably from game to game, especially in the NFL and NBA, with factors such as how good a team is offensively or defensively impacting the number. NBA teams average between 100-120 points per game, so rarely will you see totals set below 200. You will, however, see the number creep past 230 in a game between two high-powered offensive teams.

Weather plays a part, too, in over/under betting. Rough conditions can have an adverse effect on offence which can bring down the O/U number in NFL betting.

Team totals

In addition to game totals, you can also bet on a specific team’s total in all of the major sports. Bettors have the option of making an over/under bet on just the home or road team’s output.

Team totals can vary greatly depending on the matchup. Let’s say the Kansas City Chiefs are 10-point home favourites over the New England Patriots and the game has an O/U of 44 points.

In that scenario, the Chiefs’ team total would be set at 27 points while the Patriots’ team total would be set at 17.

Looking to get started? Sign up here.

How to bet on college football: Spreads, totals, and more

An autumn Saturday presents a great opportunity to bet on college football. Games are plentiful, and all fans (even the new ones) will find a number of exciting ways to wager on the action.

If you’ve only casually followed college football, it may be overwhelming at first glance. Across 10 NCAA Division I FBS conferences and independents, you’ll find 130 teams — that’s a lot to sift through.

-> New to CFB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season

For those interested in trying out college football betting for the first time, or learning more, here are some things to know.

How to bet on college football

As mentioned above, there are 10 FBS conferences, but not all are viewed equally. There are five conferences atop the D-I food chain: the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten (B10), the Big 12 (B12), the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

That quintet of conferences is referred to as the “Power Five,” and it’s typically filled with the most talented teams.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly CFB markets

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly CFB markets

How to bet on college football moneylines

Placing a moneyline wager is the simplest way to bet on college football. In short, a moneyline bet means picking the outright winner of a given game — regardless of the margin of victory, or whether the game goes to overtime. Every game features an underdog and a favourite. The underdog will have a plus (+) symbol accompanying its odds, while the favourite will have a minus (-) symbol.

The 2022 CFP title game, between Alabama and Georgia, exemplifies a matchup of two evenly-matched teams. The Crimson Tide were a slight underdog against the Bulldogs, as the odds indicate:

Alabama (+115) vs. Georgia (-135)

-> Want to see current CFB moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

With those odds, here’s what the payout structure looked like:

Alabama (+115): A $100 wager on Alabama wins $115.
Georgia (-135): A $135 wager on Georgia wins $100.

A successful $100 wager on Alabama would’ve paid out $115, while a successful $135 wager on Georgia paid out $100. Entering the game, both sides received sound value on the moneyline.

In some cases, however, the moneyline odds will be far less appealing. For example, when Alabama played New Mexico State — a lesser “Power Five” school — the Crimson Tide were a -10000 favourite. That means, in order to win $100, you would’ve had to place a $10,000 bet on the Crimson Tide. The Aggies were denoted as +1500 underdogs, and although a $100 wager would’ve won $1,500, the implied win probability (6.25 percent) was extremely low.

Considering the rather unappealing odds, this is an opportunity where you might be better off wagering on the point spread.

How to bet on college football point spreads – Example 1

Betting on the point spread is the most popular way to wager on college football.

A point spread is a designated number of points, assigned by the sportsbook, that either team must cover in order to win. Factors that affect the point spread include location (i.e., which team is at home?), injuries, hot/cold streaks, and more.

Sticking with our Alabama vs. New Mexico State example above, the point spread was a whopping 51.5 points in the Crimson Tide’s favour.

Sportsbooks present point spreads like this:

New Mexico State +51.5 (-110) vs. Alabama -51.5 (-110)

The +51.5 beside New Mexico State indicates that oddsmakers are giving the Aggies 51.5 points. In other words, if the Aggies lose by 51 points or fewer — or they win the game outright — they cover the spread and win the bet.

On the other hand, if Alabama wins by 52 points or more, it covers and wins the wager. The odds denoted for either side are -110, which means a $110 bet nets $100 in winnings. You might think 51.5 points seems like a hefty spread (and it is), but Alabama won 59-3 and covered anyway.

-> Ready to try spread betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily

How to bet on college football point spreads – Example 2

In the CFP title game between Alabama and Georgia, the point spread was much smaller. The Bulldogs were marked as 2.5 point favourites, with sportsbooks displaying the odds like this:

Alabama +2.5 (-110) vs. Georgia -2.5 (-110)

In this instance, the +2.5 next to Alabama meant sportsbooks were giving 2.5 points to the underdog Crimson Tide. Therefore, Alabama could lose within two points or win outright to cover and win the bet. Alternatively, the favoured Bulldogs (-2.5) needed to win by three or more points to cover and win the wager. Georgia won, 33-18, and covered easily.

In the lead-up to a game, sportsbooks may alter the point spread based on factors such as injuries and other personnel decisions (particularly as they relate to quarterbacks).

Additionally, most sportsbooks offer alternate lines to wager on. This allows you to bet on a point spread that’s different than the one listed in the standard market.

How to bet on college football totals

Totals are a way to bet on college football without betting directly on the outcome of a game. Betting on a game total means predicting whether the cumulative score will be greater or less than a specified total set by the sportsbook. Totals are sometimes listed as over/under, or O/U, but it all means the same thing.

As with spreads, totals are typically listed with -110 odds on either side. For the 2022 CFP national championship, the total was set at 53.5 points. Betting the over indicated a belief that both the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs would combine for 54 points or more. Betting the under, meanwhile, meant banking on the teams to combine for 53 points or fewer. In Georgia’s 33-18 win, the 51-point total meant that bets on the under were successful.

Sportsbooks also offer markets for team totals. A team total refers to the number of points an individual team will score in a game. As with a game total, you’ll either bet the over or under on the listed number.

-> Compare totals across every NCAA Basketball matchup when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

Prop Betting

College football commands a vast prop betting market, and that’s great news for all bettors. From margin of victory to the distance of the game’s shortest touchdown, you’ll find a nice selection of team props. There are player props too, which is what we’ll focus on.

If you were looking to wager on an Ohio State Buckeyes game, and you’re bullish about quarterback C.J. Stroud, you may look to target some of his props. Prop bets for Stroud, or any other quarterback would include the number of touchdown passes, pass attempts, completions, or passing yards. The sportsbook will list a total for each category, and you can bet on whether he’ll go over or under that total.

Player props are also available for positions such as running back and receiver. You can wager on the number of receiving yards, receptions, or touchdowns that Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will record, or how many carries, rushing yards, or touchdowns running back TreVeyon Henderson will tally.

Most sportsbooks also offer anytime touchdown props, which allow you to wager on whether a player will record a touchdown in a game.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more

Futures

Futures bets typically involve wagering on an event that settles at a much later date. Some of the sneakiest value lies in futures markets — if you’re looking in the right places.

One of the most popular college football futures bets is the national championship winner. As soon as the CFP trophy is awarded, the odds for the following year are posted, and they remain open until the following year’s title game.

Futures odds change frequently as injuries occur and teams rise or fall in the national rankings. In the FBS, only four teams qualify for the CFP, so odds really shorten as the postseason nears.

Another popular futures market in college football is the Heisman Trophy winner. The Heisman is awarded to college football’s most outstanding player, and some surprising winners have emerged in recent years. In 2019, Louisiana State University’s Joe Burrow won the Heisman after having preseason odds as high as +20,000. A $100 wager on Burrow to win the award, at those odds, would’ve paid out $20,000. This market is also subject to quite a bit of fluctuation throughout the year.

-> Want to see updated National Championship odds? Create your account at NorthStar Bets and access futures markets year-round

Parlays

A parlay consists of multiple bets on a single ticket. In order to win a parlay, every bet (or, “leg”) must win. If you have eight events on your parlay and only seven hit, you lose the parlay.

Parlays can include wagers from several markets and may look like this:

Ohio State -9.5 (-110)
Michigan State +4.5 (-110)
Clemson/Notre Dame U56.5 total points (-110)
Bijan Robinson O95.5 rushing yards (-115)

The combined odds on a parlay for these four events are +1200. If you placed a $100 wager on this parlay and all four legs won, you’d win $1,200 (but remember, one failed leg kills the parlay).

A ticket must have two or more events to be considered a parlay. These are attractive to some bettors for their large payouts, but it’s important to note that the likelihood of winning your bet decreases with each event added.

Some sportsbooks allow you to combine multiple events from one game to create a same-game parlay. For example, you could bet on the Buckeyes to cover the spread, Stroud to go over his passing yard total, and Smith-Njigba to score a touchdown.

-> Build your own CFB same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

Live Betting

Live betting refers to placing a bet on a college football game after it’s started. Popular live betting markets are moneylines, point spreads, and game totals.

After a college football game kicks off, lines for all of the above markets are subject to fluctuation based on how a game plays out. For example, Michigan may enter a game against Wisconsin as a 4.5-point favourite, but an early touchdown for the Badgers could shift the live-betting spread in their favour (e.g., Wisconsin -1.5).

-> Experience live CFB betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive

It’s important to act quickly when you spot a favourable live-betting line, as the odds change constantly. A big offensive play or a turnover could alter the lines significantly, so be mindful of that when looking at the lines.

There are more ways to bet on college football, such as teasers, which involve parlays on alternative spreads. You can read more about that in our guide on betting teasers.

-> Ready to put your CFB knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

How to bet on the Blue Jays: Moneyline, totals and player props

All eyes are on Major League Baseball in the summer.

This gives the sport plenty of attention from both a viewership and a betting standpoint. There are, of course, other events to bet on throughout the summer but there’s less competition compared to when all the Big 4 North American major sports are going and you have to prioritize what to spend your bankroll on.

-> New to MLB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

For Toronto fans, that gives you plenty of time to indulge in baseball and familiarize yourself with how to bet on the Blue Jays, which we will walk you through below.

How to bet on the Blue Jays

There are many betting markets available to you when the Blue Jays play, which is nearly every day over a six-month stretch. You can wager on whether the Blue Jays will win or lose, how many runs they will score, or whether a player will go deep. And that’s just to start.

You’ll have hundreds of additional options at sportsbooks like NorthStar Bets every game. It will give you a good opportunity to find a betting market you feel confident wagering on regardless of if you want to stay away from the actual outcome of the contest.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily Blue Jays markets.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily Blue Jays markets.

No matchup is the same in any sport and that’s especially true in baseball. That’s because the quality of the starting pitcher holds so much weight in determining the odds. The opponent, ballpark, and health of the roster are among the other areas that should factor into who and what you elect to bet on.

We’ll take a look at the common markets and offer strategies on how to find the best value when betting on the Blue Jays.

Moneyline

Let’s start with the moneyline, which is one of the most straightforward ways to make a bet. You simply wager on which team you think will win with no strings attached. That’s it.

If the Blue Jays play the Chicago White Sox, the matchup wouldn’t be even — therefore, the odds wouldn’t be even. Each club, as a result, has odds based on its win probability.

The Blue Jays are favourites or underdogs for every game they play. Favourites have a minus (-) sign before their odds. The underdog, meanwhile, has a plus (+) marker.

In the Jays versus White Sox example, Toronto would likely be a heavy favourite in most head-to-head matchups. Even more so if it was at home with one of its better pitchers on the mound.

-> Want to see current MLB moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

Assuming you believe the Blue Jays will win, you have to decide whether they’re worth taking on the moneyline. Let’s figure that out.

How to bet on the Blue Jays moneyline

Remember that odds will change greatly depending on the starting pitchers. For this matchup, let’s say Jose Berrios is Toronto’s starter, which would make the Blue Jays a heavy favourite against nearly any pitcher the White Sox deployed.

Here’s a quick example of how those odds would look.

Blue Jays (-240) vs. White Sox (+195)

Those odds tell you what your potential earnings would be if you won your bet and the implied probability of each team’s chances of winning that contest, both things that are important when determining which team to bet on.

Odds	Wager	Win	Probability
-240	$240	$100	70.59%
+195	$100	$195	33.90%

Upsets happen in baseball every night, so you need to determine if that’s a price you are willing to pay to back the Blue Jays even though you’ve established you believe they will win. The short answer to that should be no because the risk outweighs the reward when it comes to betting on the Blue Jays moneyline.

Why? Because upsets happen and spending $240 to win $100 is not a great return on investment.

But since you don’t believe the White Sox will win, they don’t make a great play either despite having a strong ROI. That doesn’t mean you don’t have any options to bet on the outcome of the game. It just means that the moneyline isn’t the right bet for you.

We’ll provide a couple of other moneyline examples since Toronto isn’t going to be a heavy favourite like that every game.

In an even pitching matchup against a comparable team like the St. Louis Cardinals, the odds would be more similar. The favourite could come down to which team is at home. On the road against Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves, Toronto would certainly be an underdog. Let’s look at each example.

Cardinals (+110) at Blue Jays (-130)
Blue Jays (+100) at Cardinals (-120)
Blue Jays (+140) at Braves (-155)

The Blue Jays could be a good play in all three of those scenarios. At -155, the Braves are already creeping into low value. No matter how good Sale is, Atlanta isn’t going to win every game he starts. If Toronto has a solid pitcher going, there is good value here at +140 for a strong offensive team.

Knowing when to strike and when to pass is critical to achieving success. We’ll look at a way you could wager on Toronto to win that White Sox game in our next section, which focuses on how to bet on the Blue Jays run line.

Run line betting

The run line is like the puck line in hockey. In other words, it’s baseball’s version of the point spread. The run line is a way to bet on a team to win against a handicap rather than straight up. It requires a team to win or lose by a small amount.

The run line is typically 1.5 and would require the favourite to win by at least two runs. It would also give the underdog a one-run cushion. That means it could lose the game as long as it wasn’t by more than one run and you would still win your bet.

-> Ready to try run line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.

Betting on the Blue Jays to beat the White Sox, it would become a lot more appealing with a handicap set. Toronto’s odds of winning this bet would drop at -1.5, so instead of taking the team on the ML at -240, you could get the Blue Jays on the run line at around -125.

Bo Bichette led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022. Photo by Cole Burston/The Canadian Press.

Tacking on just one extra run for Toronto to win by would nearly double your return on every $100 spent.

This would provide a significantly better return on your investment. It’s wise to turn to the run line when the moneyline lacks value.

For a good club like the Blue Jays, you will likely find the run line to be the better and more profitable play when they are playing bottom-feeder teams.

You can also select to bet on alternative run lines. While the 1.5 run line reduced the juice (the cut you are paying to the sportsbook to place your wager) you’d pay on the moneyline, with the odds going from -240 to -125, you could get a favourite at plus-money odds by backing them at an even greater handicap.

If you’re confident in the Jays handling Chicago, you could take Toronto -2.5 and the odds would then change to something like +160. The Blue Jays would then have to win by three runs or more for your bet to cash.

First five innings betting

Betting on a portion of a game is popular in many sports, and very much so in baseball. This is often done by wagering on the beginning chunk of the game and is known as first five (F5) betting.

What does it mean? You wager on who you think will be in the lead after five innings. You can place a moneyline or run line bet under this scenario, and you can also wager on the total. Your bet is only tied to those first five innings, so it wouldn’t matter how the game unfolds after that.

Why the first five? Because the bet, in theory, is tied to the starting pitchers. It attempts to strip out what happens later in the game when the bullpens get involved.

-> Ready to try first five-inning betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore all the options daily

The starting pitchers largely determine which team is favoured. You place your pregame bets knowing who will be on the mound but you have no certainty on which pitchers will follow them in relief.

A shaky bullpen can not only waste a strong performance by the starting pitcher but it can also cost you your bet. You may love Manoah to excel in a particular matchup but even if he does, a late-game meltdown by the bullpen could prevent your bet from cashing if you backed Toronto on the moneyline.

Instead, you could elect to bet Toronto to win the first five innings while you have more certainty on who’s pitching.

You could also fade teams under this scenario. If you suspect a starting pitcher is going to do poorly, you could place an F5 bet against his team. The Blue Jays were fifth in MLB in 2022 in runs per game through the first five innings.

Totals

Totals are another popular way to bet on MLB. A total number of runs that the two teams have to either go over or under will be set before each contest, and you can bet on either option. Totals are typically set around 7.5-10.5. Factors that determine it include the quality of the offences and the ballpark the game is played at.

A hitter-friendly stadium hosting a matchup between two strong offences with below-average pitchers starting is going to see a high total. It could very well exceed that 10.5 number. On the contrary, good pitchers at a park that suppresses offence will have a low total, perhaps even 6.5.

You will see totals referred to as the over/under and O/U. They all mean the same thing.

A Luis Castillo vs. Kevin Gausman matchup at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park, a park that historically hasn’t been a great offensive environment, will see a lower total than a Blue Jays vs. Orioles game in Toronto.

-> Compare totals across every Blue Jays series when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

How to bet on the Blue Jays O/U

Let’s say the O/U is set at 8.5 for that Blue Jays and Orioles game. The odds for either the over or under will be similar, but they can shade to one side. That’s the same with betting the over/under on player props, too, which we will get to in our next how to bet on the Blue Jays section.

The over might be -120 while the under comes in at +100. That’s a result of how likely the outcomes are and the type of action the sportsbook is getting.

You can also bet the O/U on a team’s total as well. This number will be set lower since it only accounts for one side’s production. Toronto’s team total would be set around 4.5 for that Orioles game.

When looking at totals, make sure to check how each team fares in that category. Many sites track a team’s over/under record. This can be a useful tool when determining which side to place your bet on.

Like the run line, you will also have the option to wager on alternative game totals as well.

Props

Props are another way to bet and involve wagering on certain games or individual outcomes that have nothing to do with the winner or loser of the contest.

For instance, you could bet on the total number of home runs Toronto will launch in a game or how many hits the two teams will record. You can also wager on specific player outcomes, like how many strikeouts Chris Bassitt will total. There will be many more options for each game.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from home run hitters to pitcher strike outs and more

These props, like a game total, come with a set number that allows the bettor to either make a wager on the over or under. For pitchers, these numbers will vary quite a bit from one arm to the next.

Jose Berrios joined the Blue Jays in a mid-season trade in 2021. Photo by Chris Young/The Canadian Press.

Bassitt, for instance, would have his strikeout prop number set lower than someone like Dylan Cease. Here’s an example of how each could look:

Bassitt: over 5.5 strikeouts (-135); under 5.5 strikeouts (+105)
Cease: over 7.5 strikeouts (-105); under 7.5 strikeouts (-115)

Paying attention to the opponent, how it fares against a right-handed pitcher versus a lefty, and its swing-and-miss tendencies are important when deciding whether to bet the over or under on strikeout props.

Total bases for position players follow the same O/U format. The number is usually set at 1.5 and you’d have the option to bet the over or under. For reference: a single counts as one total base, a double is two, a triple is three, and a home run is four. Walks do not count toward total bases.

So if you’re confident that George Springer will collect an extra-base hit at any point during a game, then you would want to wager on the over for that 1.5 total bases prop. Home run props for individual players are also popular.

Parlays and more

Parlays involve placing multiple bets on a single ticket. In order for your bet to cash, you have to correctly predict every event (known as legs). If even one event is wrong, you lose your bet.

There are many different parlays combinations you can build every night, such as picking the Blue Jays and Yankees both to win. Totals, run lines and props can be part of a parlay as well.

You can find pre-built parlays at NorthStar Bets and also create your own same-game parlay.

-> Build your own Blue Jays same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

What we mean by that is you could make separate wagers on Jose Berrios’ strikeout prop, the Blue Jays to beat the Orioles, and for them to score a certain amount of runs. But there may already be a pre-built option to bet on all those outcomes with one wager. Or one you could build your own from scratch.

It could look something like this:

Blue Jays to win, Berrios over 7.5 strikeouts, over 8.5 total runs.

You would get plus odds on that type of bet because all three of those outcomes would have to occur in order for you to win. That would decrease your chances of winning the bet but increase your potential payout. That’s why they are attractive to bettors.

There are many more ways to wager on the Blue Jays, with live betting representing another popular betting market. The futures market is also active, where you can bet on the Blue Jays to win their division, the World Series, and on individual player accomplishments, such as the MVP winner.

-> Ready to put your Blue Jays knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

Looking to get started? Sign up here.

How to bet on the Jets: Props, parlays and puck lines

The Winnipeg Jets have developed one of the NHL’s most passionate fan bases. Many of the team’s supporters are probably wondering how to bet on the Jets.

Routinely being in the playoff hunt behind stars like Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey has helped the franchise grow a solid following.

-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

There are several different ways to bet on the Jets every night they play, whether you are looking to wager on a win or for Connor to score. We’ll break down the best options in this Jets betting guide.

How to bet on the Jets

When looking to wager on the Jets, you’ll notice a number of different offerings made available to you. Before placing that bet, there will be a number of factors you will have to consider, such as the opponent, location, trends and injuries.

They can all influence what you ultimately decide to bet on. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help.

We’ll examine some of the most popular betting markets, starting with the moneyline, and offer tips for betting on the Jets.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is a great option for betting on Winnipeg if you think it will win a game.

Simply put, a successful moneyline wager involves backing the team that wins the game. As a result, the winner of a moneyline bet can win the contest by any margin of victory — in regulation, overtime, or a shootout.

In every moneyline bet, there will be an underdog and a favourite. The underdog will have a plus (+) symbol in front of its odds and the favourite will have a minus (-) sign.

Winnipeg’s status as an underdog or a favourite will largely depend on location and opponent. For example, in a home game against the San Jose Sharks, the Jets would be sizeable favourites. In a home game against the Nashville Predators, however, Winnipeg would likely be a smaller favourite.

On the other hand, in a road game against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jets would assume underdog status.

Using the above examples, the odds could look something like this:

Sharks (+185) vs. Jets (-220)
Predators (+120) vs. Jets (-140)
Jets (+190) vs. Golden Knights (-230)

-> Want to see current Jets moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

The payout structure for a bet on the Jets at those odds looks like this:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
-220	68.75%	$220	$100
-140	58.33%	$140	$100
+190	34.48%	$100	$190

Of these matchups, the most sensible moneyline wager is the game against the Predators. A $140 bet on the Jets to win would return $100 and the implied win probability is at a respectable number.

In contrast, the San Jose game requires a loftier $220 wager to win $100. At -220 odds on a moneyline bet, the risk isn’t worth it.

The contest against the Golden Knights, meanwhile, isn’t horrible if you suspect an upset, but the implied win probability is low and is worth keeping in mind.

Both the Kraken and Golden Knights games could be better opportunities to bet the Jets on the puck line.

Puck line

In addition to moneyline betting, you’ll also have the option to bet on the puck line. The puck line differs from the moneyline, as instead of betting strictly on who wins, you’re now betting against a spread. Puck lines are typically set at 1.5, although they can be 2.5 or higher.

Continuing with the above examples, here’s how the puck lines for each Jets game could shake out:

Sharks +1.5 (-105) vs. Jets -1.5 (-115)
Predators +1.5 (-210) vs. Jets -1.5 (+175)
Jets +1.5 (-135) vs. Golden Knights -1.5 (+115)

The payouts for a bet on Winnipeg in these examples look like this:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
-115	53.49%	$115	$100
+175	36.36%	$100	$175
-135	57.45%	$135	$100

Each of these contests, but particularly the Sharks and Golden Knights games, presents the best opportunities to bet the puck line. In those two examples, the win probability is over 50%, and both only require a fairly reasonable wager in order to net $100 in winnings.

In the Pedators game, however, the moneyline makes more sense. Despite the increased payout on a puck line wager, the implied win probability drops more than 20%. Additionally, the moneyline only requires a $140 bet to win $100.

-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.

How to bet on Jets totals

Totals are a great way to bet on a game without wagering on the final result. Game total lines are typically set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals and you’ll be able to wager on whether the two teams will go over or under the total.

The totals market is also commonly listed as the over/under or O/U. All represent the same betting option and are generally listed at around -110 per side.

In a Jets game with a total of 5.5 goals, a successful bet to the over requires both the Jets and their opponent to score a combined six goals or more. A successful bet to the under, on the other hand, involves both squads scoring five goals or fewer.

Aside from betting on game totals, you’ll also have the option to wager on team totals.

These lines are typically set at 2.5 or 3.5 goals and you’ll have the option to either bet the over or under. If the line is set at 2.5 goals and you believe the Jets will go over their total, you’d bet the over. If you don’t believe the Jets will score more than two goals, you’d bet the under.

-> Compare totals across every Jets matchup when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

Props

Similar to totals, props are another betting option that allows you to wager on something other than the final outcome of the game. The prop bet market is vast and can include events such as betting on which team will score two goals first, or the time of the first goal of the game.

Props also include player performances, and those are the ones we’ll focus on in this section.

Player props deal with a large number of options, including how many shots a player takes or whether or not someone will score a power-play point.

Additionally, you can wager on anytime goalscorers, which could be a great wager if you think Connor will score in Winnipeg’s upcoming contest.

You’ll be presented with the options of “first,” “last,” and “anytime” when going to bet on his goalscorer prop. The first and last refer to whether Connor will score the first or last goal of the game.

The odds that Connor will score the first goal of the game typically sit near +400. A $100 wager on him to score first would produce a potential return of $400.

The odds that Connor will score the last goal of the game will likely be around +500. Therefore, a $100 wager on Connor to score the last goal would net $500.

If you want to wager on Connor scoring at any point of the game, however, his odds for that are usually set around +100, meaning a $100 wager wins $100.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

Parlays and more

A parlay bet involves wagering on multiple events on a single ticket. The more events added, the more your chances of winning decrease.

The whole ticket is lost if one leg (another word for event) of the parlay loses.

You could create a parlay that involves the Jets as well as two other NHL teams to win. But you can also make a same-game parlay.

You may believe that Winnipeg is a strong play on the moneyline against that Ducks, that the game will go under 6.5 goals and that Connor will score a goal. You could wager on all three events separately and the odds would be presented like this:

Winnipeg Jets moneyline (-140)
Sharks/Jets under 6.5 goals (-110)
Kyle Connor anytime goalscorer (+100)

-> Build your own Jets same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

But if you were to turn this into an SGP bet, the odds would look something like this:

Winnipeg moneyline, Sharks/Jets under 6.5 goals, Kyle Connor anytime goalscorer (+554).

Evidently, the odds for this SGP are much higher than the odds for each individual event. As noted, the implied win probability for this bet type is much lower than wagering on a single event.

As a result, the odds reflect the likelihood of the event occurring. Multiple-event parlays are enticing to bettors, though, because of the potential return on investment.

There are more ways to get in on Jets action through live betting and the futures market (where you can pick Winnipeg to win the division or Connor Hellebuyck to win the Vezina Trophy).

-> Ready to put your Jets knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

How to bet on the Canucks: Moneylines, puck lines and totals

If you’re looking to add some intrigue to an upcoming Vancouver Canucks game, putting a little money down on the team may do the trick.

There are many different ways to bet on the Canucks every time they take the ice. You can bet on them to win or lose, wager on your favourite player prop or put a ticket together that has them included in a parlay.

-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

The options are plentiful, which we’ll break down below.

How to bet on the Canucks

You’ll be presented with a number of different options when you go to place a bet on Vancouver. In addition to all of the offerings, you should be mindful of several factors including the opponent, location, trends, injuries and the odds.

We’ll take a look at all of that, explain what the main betting markets are and offer tips for how you can make smarter wagers on the Canucks.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.

Moneyline

If you think the Canucks will win their next game, then you may want to consider making a moneyline (ML) wager.

A moneyline bet involves backing the team you believe will win the contest. You will win your bet if you correctly pick the winner.

The margin of victory, or whether it’s decided in regulation, overtime or a shootout, doesn’t matter. You will see one team in the matchup labelled as a favourite and the other as an underdog.

The favourite will be marked with a minus (-) symbol in front of its odds and the underdog will have a plus (+) symbol.

-> Want to see current Canucks moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

Vancouver’s status for any given game will largely depend on the opponent and location.

The Canucks, for example, would be a favourite in a home game against the San Jose Sharks. But Vancouver would be an underdog if it hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It would also be an underdog on the road against the Calgary Flames.

Moneyline odds

Here’s an example of how the odds could look for those hypothetical matchups:

Sharks (+185) vs. Canucks (-225)
Maple Leafs (-275) vs. Canucks (+225)
Canucks (+195) vs. Flames (-225)

In these three instances, the payout structure for a bet on the Canucks would look like this:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
-225	69.23%	$225	$100
+225	30.77%	$100	$225
+160	38.46%	$100	$195

Which moneyline bet makes the most sense? That would be the Flames contest and it largely has to do with the value.

There’s little value to be found in the Kraken matchup despite the high implied win probability. You’d have to wager $225 to win $100 and since upsets happen all the time, the risk isn’t worth the reward.

The Toronto matchup would generate a strong return but the Canucks’ perceived chances of winning are rightfully low. The Maple Leafs are a significantly better team and you shouldn’t simply chase a big payout. But context is important.

That brings us to the Flames game.

This matchup presents a nice combination of payout and win probability. A $100 stake nets $160 and has a respectable 38.46% implied win probability. Vancouver would be far from a long shot under this scenario.

While betting on the moneyline against Toronto and Seattle may not be the best option, these could present better opportunities to bet on the puck line.

Puck line

In addition to wagering on a moneyline, you’ll also have an opportunity to bet on the puck line. Unlike a moneyline bet, placing a wager on a puck line involves betting against a point spread.

Puck lines are typically set at 1.5 goals, but some come in at 2.5 goals or higher. There are odds listed with each puck line that reflect the probability of the event occurring and the potential earnings that could be made.

Here are some puck line examples, using the same matchups from above:

Sharks +1.5 (-130) vs. Canucks -1.5 (+110)
Maple Leafs -1.5 (-110) vs. Canucks +1.5 (-110)
Canucks +1.5 (-180) vs. Flames -1.5 (+160)

In the Sharks example, the -1.5 next to the Canucks indicates that the oddsmakers are subtracting 1.5 goals from Vancouver’s final score. Therefore, in order to cover the spread, the Canucks would have to defeat Seattle by two goals or more.

The Canucks, on the other hand, would be awarded 1.5 goals by the oddsmakers for both the Flames and Leafs games. That means Vancouver could lose either game by a goal or win outright to cover the spread.

-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily

Puck line wagers

Here’s what each payout structure would look like for those puck line bets:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
+110	47.62%	$100	$110
-110	52.38%	$110	$100
-180	64.29%	$180	$100

Backing the Canucks in the San Jose and Toronto games makes the most sense for us here.

Unlike the moneyline wagers above, these games now have both a reasonable ROI and implied win probability. The puck line is a good bet if you think the Canucks will defeat the Sharks by two goals or more.

When comparing the moneyline to the puck line in the Oilers example, it’s more of a question of risk tolerance. If you prefer a lower wager and a higher payout, the moneyline makes more sense.

But if you’d rather have a higher implied win probability and were fine with a smaller payout, then a larger wager on the puck line could work.

How to bet on Canucks totals

If you’re looking for an option to wager on the Canucks that doesn’t involve betting on the final result, wagering on the totals market is an attractive choice.

Game totals refer to the number of goals scored in a contest. The totals are usually set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals. You’d have the option to wager on whether or not the two teams combine for more or fewer goals than that number.

You’d bet the over if you were confident in the Canucks and their opponent eclipsing the number — which we’ll say is 5.5 here. If you weren’t optimistic about them scoring more than five goals, you’d bet the under.

The totals market is also commonly labelled as the over/under and O/U. All of these terms mean the same thing.

You’ll also have the option to wager on team totals. Team totals refer to the number of goals an individual team will score in a game. This number is set lower than game totals.

Team totals are often 2.5 or 3.5 goals. If Vancouver’s team total for its upcoming game is 2.5 goals, a successful bet to the over requires the squad to score three-plus goals. A successful bet to the under involves the Canucks potting two goals or fewer.

-> Compare totals across every Canucks matchup when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

How to bet on Canucks props

Prop bets are another betting option that doesn’t require wagering on the final score of a game. Props can range from wagering on the time of the first goal to betting on the score of the game after the first period.

Player performances are another section that prop bets cover and we’ll focus on those here.

Player props can include wagering on the number of shots a player will take in a game, or if a player will record a goal, assist or power-play point.

For example, you could wager on Quinn Hughes recording an assist in an upcoming Canucks game.

Here’s an example of those odds:

Hughes 0.5 assists: Over (-120), Under (-105).

A successful $100 bet on Hughes going over 0.5 assists would generate a profit of $83.33. A successful $100 bet on Hughes going under 0.5 assists, on the other hand, would generate a profit of $95.24.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

Parlays and more

You can wager on multiple events on a single ticket, which is known as a parlay. Although parlays can feature much larger payouts, they are also accompanied by a smaller win probability than single bets.

In other words, the odds of these bets being successful are much lower.

Every leg (another word for event) added to a parlay decreases the ticket’s chances of winning. The entire ticket is lost if one leg of the parlay is lost.

You can find pre-built parlays (sometimes known as specials) available for certain games, which would give you the option to place one wager on something like Vancouver’s moneyline, the game total and a player prop. You can also build your own same-game parlay.

-> Build your own Canucks same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

Parlay odds

This is how the odds could look for a same-game parlay bet.

Canucks moneyline, Canucks/Flames over 6.5, Hughes over 0.5 assists (+740).

The potential return for that SGP would be much higher than if you were to bet each event separately. Here’s an example of what those single-event odds would look like:

Canucks moneyline (+160)
Canucks/Flames over 6.5 goals (-110)
Hughes over 0.5 assists (-120)

The odds for a parlay will always be larger than individual events due to the heightened risk associated with the wager. That’s why sportsbooks compensate for the risk increase with inflated plus-money odds.

There are additional ways to get in on Canucks action with live betting and the futures market, where you can pick Vancouver to win the division or Hughes to win the Norris Trophy.

-> Ready to put your Canucks knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

How to bet on the CFL: Point spreads, totals, futures and more

Curious about how to bet on the CFL? We got you covered.

Canadians love the NFL but they also have their own storied football league to wager on. Though it may not be as popular as its American counterpart, the CFL is a big part of the Canadian sporting identity.

-> New to CFL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

With unique rules — such as the rouge and three downs — and an entire fan base known for wearing watermelons on their heads, you could say the CFL has its quirks.

How to bet on the CFL

The CFL has a strong betting market with an abundance of opportunities for its loyal Canadian followers to get in on the action.

From point spreads to player props, we’ll run you through the most popular ways to bet on the CFL. Let’s start with the moneyline.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly CFL markets.

Moneyline

While moneyline (ML) betting remains more popular in lower-scoring sports, such as the NHL and MLB, it still has its place in the CFL.

The concept of the moneyline is simple: pick the team that will win the game. If you’re correct, the bet cashes, regardless of if the game goes to overtime or not.

In a moneyline bet, each team participating will be labelled as either a favourite or an underdog. The favourite will have a minus (-) sign before its odds and the underdog will be denoted by a plus (+) symbol.

To explain moneyline betting more, let’s say the Toronto Argonauts are -230 in a home game against the +220 Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Being a -230 favourite means that the sportsbook is placing a near-70% implied probability of the Argonauts winning. That directly correlates to the potential return on investment.

-> Want to see current CFL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

Here are some examples of how much you would win depending on both the odds and the amount wagered.

-120 odds: You would have to wager $120 to win $100.
-230 odds: You would have to wager $230 to win $100.
+220 odds: You would win $220 on a $100 wager.
+600 odds: You would win $600 on a $100 wager.

While the Argos are viewed as the likely team to win this game, betting on a heavy favourite is not always the best decision because of the low return on investment. You won’t profit as much when betting a favourite on the moneyline as you would an underdog because your chances of winning are greater.

If you believe a heavy underdog can win outright, though, there’s a chance for a large payday.

If you aren’t feeling great about picking either team on the moneyline, then betting on the point spread could be a better option for you. Below we’ll take a look at how to bet on CFL point spreads.

Point spread

Betting the spread is one of the more popular ways to wager on CFL games.

A spread is a number given to determine the amount of points the book believes the favourite will win by. If the team wins by more than the number given, they cover the spread. The underdog can lose but still cover the spread as long as it’s below the assigned number.

Let’s say the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are facing the Saskatchewan Roughriders and are favoured by 6.5 points. That means the Blue Bombers would have to win by seven-plus points to cover. If you were to bet the Roughriders, they could lose by six or fewer or win outright and you would win your bet.

The odds for a spread are generally set at -110 for each side, meaning a $110 bet would win $100 — the extra $10 is known as the “vig”.

This creates an even way to bet on an uneven matchup by giving the underdog a cushion it can lose by.

The spread can change for a variety of reasons. For example, the spread would drastically lower in the Roughriders’ favour if Zach Collaros pulled his groin the day before the game and was unable to play.

The Blue Bombers could drop to around 1.5-point favourites or perhaps even underdogs.

Let’s assume Collaros is playing, however, and the spread stayed at Winnipeg -6.5. If you were confident in a Blue Bombers blowout, then it is possible to choose an alternate spread. You could get different odds that would increase your potential return at a higher number.

An example of this would be betting on the Blue Bombers to cover a 9.5-point spread at +170 odds. You are adding another three points that Winnipeg would need to cover, but are risking that for a larger payout.

A $100 bet would now win you $170.

Now that you understand point spreads, let’s take a look at how to bet on CFL totals.

-> Ready to try spread betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily

Totals

Totals are another common way to wager on the CFL. It requires one to predict the number of total points scored in a contest. Totals are also referred to as the over/under or O/U.

An over/under in the CFL would be set somewhere between 40-50 points which is right around the same as most NFL games.

There are many factors that dictate what the total is set at, including injuries, matchups and weather. This is the Canadian Football League after all, and only one of the nine teams has a stadium with a roof (BC Place in Vancouver, and it’s retractable).

The over/under for a game played during a sunny day in September would surely be higher than one played in late November.

Let’s use a hypothetical November matchup between the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders as an example and place the O/U at 39.5 points. If 40 points or more are scored during the contest, the over cashes. If the total lands at 39 or lower, the under wins.

It’s a simple concept, and much like in the NFL, bettors often use mental math to determine how many scores will be needed to reach the over once the game begins.

There is no rouge in the NFL, though, and that crazy, unique rule can often dictate the razor-thin margin between the total going over or under. The rouge, also known as a single, is a one-point score.

Just like the spread, bettors can choose alternate totals for either a higher payout or greater probability of winning with altered odds.

-> Compare totals across every CFL matchup when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

Player Props

Prop betting has exploded throughout the CFL. There are several options to choose from in any given game.

You can bet on how many passing yards Bo Levi Mitchell will have, how many yards Brady Oliveira will rush for or if Justin McInnis will score a touchdown, among others.

To win a prop, the bettor is choosing the over or the under just like in totals betting. It would look something like this:

Bo Levi Mitchell O/U 250.5 passing yards.

https://twitter.com/Ticats/status/1802703642421514746

The odds on props are generally set around -110 per side, but there is more variance in this market compared to the spread and totals.

The odds for touchdown scorers will very drastically. Chad Kelly of the Argonauts is a regular to the end zone thanks to his rushing skills and his odds will typically be lower than most.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers, passing yards and much more

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers, passing yards and much more

How to bet on CFL parlays

A parlay involves combining multiple bets into one larger ticket for an increased payout. The ticket has to have two or more bets (known as legs) attached to it. In order to win a parlay, every leg must win. If one leg loses, the entire parlay does.

Parlays can be enticing but also carry greater risk because you need to predict multiple outcomes correctly.

The possible combinations are endless as bettors can combine any individual bet — be it a moneyline, spread or prop — into a parlay.

Let’s take a look at what a hypothetical CFL parlay could look like:

Elks ML (+300)
Lucky Whitehead over 72.5 yards (-120)
Argonauts vs. Tiger-Cats under 42.5 (-110)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers -6.5 (-119)

This bet would have odds of +2472. That means you would win $2472 on a $100 bet if all four of those outcomes were correctly predicted.

That’s a significantly greater payout than if you were to make single-event wagers on any of the above examples. But it’s also much harder to win that type of bet.

-> Build your own CFL same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

Live betting

If you can’t get your bets in before game time, have no fear because live betting is here.

Live betting gives CFL fans the option to bet on the game after it has already started. The odds can shift drastically based on what is occurring.

For example: The Calgary Stampeders, a 5.5-point favourite, go down 7-0 early and become a live underdog. If you’re confident in the Stamps making a comeback, betting them on the moneyline at plus-money odds could be a smart play.

This same logic applies to totals. If a total is set at 44.5 and the first quarter ends with no points scored, the live O/U would drop to around 33.5 points.

If the weather is getting worse and you believe this trend will continue, live betting the under could be advantageous.

While not as robust as pregame options, many of the same betting markets are available in-game.

-> Experience live CFL betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive

How to bet on CFL futures

The futures market in the CFL allows bettors to wager on what will happen months down the line.

By far the most popular futures bet is who will win the Grey Cup. If you believe the Alouettes will defend their Grey Cup, you can place a bet on that.

-> Want to see updated Grey Cup odds? Create your account at NorthStar Bets and access futures markets year-round

This is sometimes labelled as winning outright and each team will be assigned odds based on their probability of winning.

These odds could drastically swing by the time the season begins depending on the draft, injuries, and signings. These odds could then change even further once play is underway based on performance and injuries.

Beyond outright betting, there are other future markets that can be wagered on. These include who will win the Most Outstanding Player award, lead the league in rushing yards or score the most touchdowns.

-> Ready to put your CFL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

How to bet on the Maple Leafs: Puck lines, game totals and player props

Are you a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan who wants to learn about how to bet on the Maple Leafs? If you are, you’ve come to the right place.

From moneylines to totals to props and more, we’ll take a look at all the different ways you can wager on the Blue and White. We’ll also look at different strategies you can employ when looking to bet on game night.

-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

Below is our guide on how to bet on the Maple Leafs.

How to bet on the Maple Leafs

You will be presented with hundreds of betting markets any time the Maple Leafs play. What you ultimately decide to wager on will likely come down to several factors. That includes the opponent, location, trends, health of the roster and so on.

We’ll take a look at some of the common markets that are available each game and offer strategies on how to find the best value when betting on the Maple Leafs.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.

Moneyline vs. puck line

You have a couple of ways of betting on the Maple Leafs to beat their opponent. One way is to bet them to win straight up, which is known as the moneyline. You can add a handicap and take them to win by multiple goals (the puck line).

Picking between the moneyline and the puck line really comes down to value.

For starters, what’s the price? In other words, what odds are you getting the Leafs at and why is that important?

It’s important because the Leafs would certainly be large favourites in certain matchups. Because of that, the price (odds) set on the moneyline wouldn’t yield a strong return on your investment.

For a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Leafs would likely have an implied probability of winning around 75 percent. That would price them as a -300 favourite. Note: A favourite will always have a minus (-) sign before its odds, while the underdog will have a plus (+) designation.

-> Want to see current Leafs moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

You would also have the option to take the Leafs to win in regulation at say -180. If you elected to go that route, keep in mind that you would lose your ticket on an overtime win. This is known as a 3-way moneyline pick.

As for the puck line, which comes with a spread, the Leafs would need to win and do it by at least two goals. Your potential return would be much better, though. Here you would see Toronto listed at -1.5 (the handicap/spread) but since winning by two goals is more difficult than winning by one, the odds would change (let’s say to -130).

If you really sensed a blowout coming, you could also bet an alternative puck line and set the Leafs’ handicap at -2.5 (or greater). Now you would be able to get them at plus-money odds (+140). Your potential return would be greater here because the Leafs would have to win by at least three goals for you to cash your bet.

Here’s a look at what your net profit would be based on the odds used in the above examples:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
-300	75%	$300	$100
-180	64.29%	$180	$100
-130	56.52%	$130	$100
+140	41.67%	$100	$140

Since any team can win on any given night, we would never suggest taking the Leafs on the moneyline at -300. When the odds are that high, the risk simply isn’t worth the reward. There are better plays than taking them at -180 to win in regulation, too.

While the Leafs might be the superior team, beating any NHL team by three or more goals is a difficult feat, which is reflected in the alternate puck line odds. It is deemed the least likely outcome of the ones cited above, which is why it has the greatest payout.

Each game is unique and will have its own set of circumstances, but the recommended choice here would be to take the Leafs -1.5 on the puck line.

-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.

How to bet on Maple Leafs totals

We will stick with the Leafs and Blue Jackets example. The majority of games have a total (the amount of goals that will be scored) of 6.5 but can be set lower or higher.

The 5.5 number is typically the most common alternative. That means you can place a bet on whether the clubs will combine to go over or under that number. The over/under, or O/U, are just different ways to refer to the total.

This is a straightforward bet and the odds on either play (the over or the under) are more closely aligned than certain moneyline odds for a matchup, which can have large discrepancies.

You can also bet on a team’s total. Team totals are set lower, at say 2.5 or 3.5.

Why would you want to wager on the team total over the game total?

In that Leafs and Blue Jackets matchup, perhaps you aren’t confident that the Blue Jackets can generate much offence but don’t feel Toronto will have trouble scoring. That may make you more comfortable predicting the Leafs’ team total instead.

-> Compare totals across every Leafs matchup when you sign up for NorthStar Bets

How to bet on Maple Leafs props

Props are another way to bet on the contest and involve wagering on certain games or individual outcomes. You could bet the over/under on how many shots the two teams will combine for, or the O/U on total power-play goals, or even predict the highest-scoring period.

There are also player props, which is what we will focus on here.

Common player props include betting on the number of goals, assists, points, power-play points and shots on net a player will accumulate in a particular game.

You may find it to be a good opportunity to jump on Maple Leafs player props when they are playing a poor defensive team that allows a lot of shots on net and has its backup goalie in net.

This might be a good time to wager on Auston Matthews to score a goal. As a player who fires the puck on net a lot, you may also want to take the over on his shots on goal prop (this is usually set around 4.5).

Betting on a player to score (anytime goalscorer) can be valuable but the odds change from game to game. For an elite goalscorer like Matthews, there are certainly more opportune times to bet on that prop than others.

You might see the odds for him to score at -125 but other times you can get it at +120.

For a bettor, getting Matthews at plus money offers greater value. Goals are hard to predict, so it’s important to keep an eye on the odds to maximize your return on investment. Odds matter for any bet you are contemplating wagering on.

Sticking with Matthews, betting the over on his shot total is a lot more appealing when the odds are +120 instead of -140. Context matters, too, such as the opponent’s recent trends or the goalie the team is facing.

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more

Parlays and more

Parlays require you to be right about multiple outcomes to win your bet. You bet on two or more events (known as legs) on a single ticket and place one wager. If you don’t get everything correct on the parlay, you lose.

You can create all sorts of parlays, including picking the Leafs and other NHL teams to win. You can also find pre-built parlays at NorthStar Bets and assemble your own same-game parlay.

Let’s once again go back to the Leafs and Blue Jackets example. Perhaps you’ve decided that the Leafs will win, the two teams will combine for more than 5.5 goals, and Matthews will score. You could make separate wagers on all three of those outcomes, but you may also have the option to select all three as a single wager through a special offer or by building your own SGP.

-> Build your own Leafs same-game parlay when you join NorthStar Bets

Here’s an example of what that could look like:

Leafs to win, over 5.5 total goals, Matthews to score (+350).

If you bet those separately, the odds would look something like this:

Leafs to win (-300)
Over 5.5 goals (-110)
Matthews to score (-105)

Why are the odds so different? Unlike a single-event wager, that SGP would require all three outcomes to be correct in order to win.

Needing two-plus outcomes to all be right in order to cash your ticket decreases your chances of winning. But it also increases your payout potential, which is why they can be attractive to bettors.

There are more ways to get in on the Maple Leafs action through live betting and the futures market. Futures betting is where you can pick the Leafs to win the Cup or for Matthews to win the Hart.

-> Ready to put your Leafs knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

How to bet on the Flames: Props, totals and parlays

The Calgary Flames aren’t flashy, but they’re a tough out on most nights.

Their blend of skill and grit makes them a team most opponents loathe playing against. Nothing is given when going up against this team, and their style is something bettors should certainly keep in mind when looking to put down on a Flames game.

For those unsure of how to bet on the Flames, we’re here to help. We’ll review some of the different options available to you in this betting guide.

How to bet on the Flames

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to betting on the Flames. But there are a number of different factors you should focus on that may ultimately influence what you decide to bet on — whether that’s the Flames moneyline or a Jonathan Huberdeau scoring prop.

Those factors include the opponent, location, trends, injuries and the odds.

We’ll explore some of the most popular betting markets and offer advice on how to place the best wagers.

Moneyline

A moneyline (ML) bet is the most straightforward wager you can make on a hockey game. This type of bet involves picking the straight-up winner of a game.

You will win your moneyline bet if you correctly pick who comes out on top. The margin of victory or whether the contest ends in regulation, overtime or a shootout doesn’t matter.

The favourite for the game will have a minus (-) symbol in front of its odds and the underdog will be denoted with a plus (+) symbol.

Calgary grades out as a middle-of-the-pack team which means its status as a favourite or underdog is tied largely to opponent and location. The Flames would be a favourite in a home game against the Nashville Predators. Calgary would also be favoured if it hosted the Anaheim Ducks.

The Flames would likely be listed as an underdog, however, in a road tilt versus the Colorado Avalanche.

Moneyline odds

The odds for each of those hypothetical games would look something like this:

Predators (+160) vs. Flames (-180)
Canucks (+170) vs. Flames (-200)
Flames (+205) vs. Avalanche (-240)

Those odds tell us a few things, including who the favourite and underdog is. It also tells us what our sportsbook believes each of those teams’ chances of winning is in addition to how much you could profit on a successful bet.

Odds	Implied probability	Wager amount	To win
-180	64.29%	$180	$100
-200	66.67%	$200	$100
+205	32.79%	$100	$205

The Avalanche contest is the game that makes the most sense to place a moneyline wager on.

Although Calgary’s chances of winning are deemed lowest in that example, a 32.79% implied win probability is still roughly a one-in-three chance. The ROI is strong, too, as it would require a $100 wager to profit $205.

A moneyline bet may also be in consideration for the Predators game, as the implied win probability is fairly high and staking $180 to win $100 isn’t the worst. Though it is admittedly creeping into low-value territory.

We wouldn’t recommend an ML bet in the Ducks game. Staking $200 to win $100 isn’t a great bet to make. Therefore, in either of those contests, it may be a better opportunity to bet on the Flames puck line.

Puck line

In addition to making a moneyline bet, you’ll also have the option of wagering on the puck line. Unlike the moneyline, a puck line wager involves betting against a point spread.

Puck lines are typically set at 1.5 and can sometimes be 2.5 or higher. They are also accompanied by odds which reflect the potential payout for a successful puck line wager.

Continuing with the examples from the moneyline section, the puck lines for Flames games would look something like this:

Predators +1.5 (-155) vs. Flames -1.5 (+135)
Ducks +1.5 (-140) vs. Flames -1.5 (+120)
Flames +1.5 (-140) vs. Avalanche -1.5 (+120)

The -1.5 next to the Flames in the first two examples means that Calgary is the favourite and would have 1.5 goals subtracted from its total. In order to cover the puck line, Calgary would have to win the game by two goals or more.

Against the Avalanche, on the other hand, the +1.5 next to Calgary’s total represents its status as the underdog. Therefore, to cover the puck line in that game, the Flames could lose by a goal or win outright.

As a result, the payouts for a bet on Calgary in each instance would look like this:

Odds	Implied win probability	Wager amount	To win
+135	42.55%	$100	$135
+120	45.45%	$100	$120
-140	58.33%	$140	$100

It makes much more sense to back Calgary on the puck line rather than the moneyline in the Predators and Ducks games.

Against Nashville, a $100 bet on the puck line wins $135 and has a respectable 42.55% implied win probability. Similarly, against Anaheim, a $100 wager nets $120 and has a 45.45% implied win probability.

Wagering on the puck line against Colorado isn’t a bad bet — a $140 stake wins $100. Opposed to the other games, however, the contest against Colorado presents a decent opportunity to wager on either the puck line or moneyline.

The decision on which one to select would ultimately come down to your risk tolerance.

How to bet on Flames totals

Aside from betting on the final result of a game, you can also wager on the number of goals scored in a game.

Game total lines are typically set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals, giving you the option to wager on whether the two teams will combine to go over or under the total.

Therefore, in a game against the Predators where the line is 6.5, a successful bet to the over requires the two sides to combine for six goals or more. A winning under wager needs both squads to team up for five goals or fewer.

Totals can also be presented as an over/under and O/U. All refer to the same market.

Additionally, betting on team totals is another option. Team totals are usually set at 2.5 or 3.5 goals and work similarly to game totals.

Instead of a combined total between two teams, you’ll wager on an individual team’s output.

For example, if Calgary’s team total is 2.5 goals and you believe it will score three or more goals, you’d take the over. You’d bet on the Flames under if you felt they would score two goals or fewer.

Totals are a great option for betting on a game, especially if you’re unsure of how the final will shake out.

How to bet on Flames props

Props, like totals, are another betting option that doesn’t deal with the outcome of the game. Prop bets can include wagering on which team will score the third goal of the game or whether the team that scores first will win.

Prop bets also centre around player performances, which is what we’ll focus on in this section.

A player prop can involve betting on whether a player will record a goal or assist, as well as the number of shots they’ll take in a contest.

For instance, if you believe Huberdeau will record an assist in the next Flames game, you could place a wager on his assist prop.

Huberdeau’s assist prop would look similar to this:

Huberdeau 0.5 assists: Over (-110), Under (-110).

Regardless of whether you bet on his over or under, a $110 wager wins $100 in this example. When looking to bet on Huberdeau’s assist prop, keep in mind both the odds and the opponent.

For any bet, the odds are important and there are some games that will provide a better opportunity to wager on a player prop.

Opponent goals allowed per game and scoring chances allowed per game are two key stats to monitor prior to placing your bet. The more goals and scoring chances an opponent allows likely means there will be more opportunities for Huberdeau to tally a helper.

Parlays and more

You can also wager on multiple events on one ticket, which is known as a parlay. A parlay could consist of a Flames puck line bet, in addition to picking two other NHL teams to win a game.

But you could also build a Flames-only version called a same-game parlay.

The issue with parlays is they significantly decrease your chances of winning with each event added, as just one loss on the ticket will result in the entire bet losing.

You get heightened odds for the increased risk you take on, leading to potential larger payouts. But it’s important to know that your chance of winning is largely lowered.

In an upcoming Oilers and Flames game, for instance, you may believe that Calgary will cover the puck line, that the contest will go over its game total and that Huberdeau will record an assist.

If you were to bet these three events individually, the odds would look something like this:

Flames puck line (+135)
Oilers/Flames over 6.5 goals (-110)
Huberdeau over 0.5 assists (-120)

The odds would look much different if you turned that into an SGP.

Flames puck line, Oilers/Flames over 5.5 goals, Huberdeau over 0.5 assists (+722).

The parlay would return a significantly larger payout than if you bet on each event individually. That’s due to the increased risk of having multiple events on it. Remember that if one leg loses, the whole ticket does as well.

But if you were to bet all three individually, the outcome of one event has no bearing on the result of another.

There are more ways to get in on Flames action through live betting and the futures market, where you can pick the Flames to win the Cup or Huberdeau to win the Hart Trophy.