How to bet on sports: A beginner's guide

There’s more to betting on sports than beginners might think. Finding a winning bet is just one element and it's equally as important for punters to understand how odds work, staking plans and what happens when you combine selections if they want long-term success on betting sites and at high-street bookies. The Standard’s betting team have unpacked how to bet on sports, covering odds, bet types and staking, without relying on hot tips or bookmaker rankings. Understanding these basics matters, and this guide is designed to help new bettors get to grips with them.Read MoreUnderstanding odds and stakesBetting odds show the potential return from a successful wager. They are commonly displayed as fractional or decimal odds.Fractional odds show the potential profit compared with your stake. For example, at 5/1, a £10 bet would make £50 profit if successful, with your £10 stake returned for a total payout of £60.Decimal odds show the total return, including your original stake. At 6.00, a £10 bet would return £60 if it wins, meaning £50 is profit and £10 is your original stake.The stake is simply the amount of money you choose to risk on a bet. Your return depends on the odds and the stake, with the original stake included in the payout on a winning bet.Shorter odds indicate an outcome considered more likely, but they produce a smaller return. For example, odds of 1/2 offer £5 profit from a £10 stake. Longer odds indicate a less likely outcome and offer a larger potential return. At 5/1, the same £10 stake produces £50 profit.Types of bets explainedWhen it comes to different bet types, don’t be daunted by the huge array of options, particularly when it comes to different types of horse racing bets. More bettors only use a handful of bet types though and we’ve taken a look at the most common bet types below.A single is the simplest bet, involving one selection. For example, you could stake £10 on a football team to win. If that selection wins, the bet pays out, according to its odds.An each-way bet is used mainly on horse racing betting sites and is split into two parts: one bet on the selection to win and another on it to place. The place terms and odds vary from event to event and determine how much of the odds are paid if the horse finishes in a qualifying position without winning.Bettors can combine different wagers into a single bet, referred to as a multiple. The number of selections included in the bet may also change how it's referred to, with a double bet featuring two selections, a treble featuring three, a fourfold bet containing four selections, and so on. Anything over three selections is usually branded as an accumulatorAccumulator betting sites combine as many selections or legs as you like. Every leg must win for the accumulator to pay out, but combining several selections can produce a much larger potential return. For example, an accumulator could contain three football teams to win on the same day.A bet builder is another type of multiple bet, only it features several selections from the same match or race. Bettors can choose to bet on the match winner, total number of goals and a goalscorer for the same football game.With all multiples, the more selections you combine, the greater the potential return can become, but the risk also increases. A single requires one selection to be correct, while an accumulator or bet builder requires every selection to win.How to place your first betOpen an account with a licensed UK bookmaker and complete the required registration details. Verify your identity via Know Your Customer. This is a UK Gambling Commission requirement, and is used to confirm details, including your age. Make a deposit using a debit card or another supported payment method. Find the sport and market you want to bet on. Check the available selections and their odds before deciding what to back. Choose your bet type and enter your stake. Check the potential return shown on the betslip before confirming the wager. Confirm the bet before the start time of the event. Once accepted, check your betslip to make sure the details are correct. What to look for in a UK betting siteStart by checking that the operator holds a valid UK Gambling Commission licence. This information should be available through the operator's website footer or the UKGC public register.Clear information about deposits, withdrawals and limits is also important. Every licensed bookie provides deposit limit and reality check tools, which can help you control how much and how often you bet.Consider how quickly the operator processes identity verification and withdrawals, as this can affect how easily you can access your account and funds. It is also worth checking whether the sport you follow is well covered, including the markets and competitions available.These are consumer considerations rather than reasons to choose one bookmaker over another. Readers who want to compare specific operators can visit The Standard's wider betting section for more information on things like which bookie is best for free bets, wagering on greyhounds or has the fastest withdrawals.Read MoreResponsible gamblingWhether you are new to betting or been gambling for years, it's always important to take precautions when betting and gamble responsibly. All licensed betting sites provide safer gambling tools and information, such as deposit limits, profit & loss calculators, reality checks and self-exclusion options via GAMSTOP.The Standard advises setting deposit limits, taking regular breaks and never wagering more than you can afford when betting.If you or anyone you know has concerns about their gambling, help is available 24 hours a day via one of these organisations:GambleAwareGamStopGamblers AnonymousNHS gambling servicesHow to bet on sports - FAQsHow do you bet on football and win?There is no guaranteed way to win a bet on football betting sites. Beginners should focus first on understanding odds, stakes and the different bet types available. Singles are the simplest starting point, while doubles and accumulators require multiple selections to win. The sections above explain how these mechanics work.How old do you have to be to bet on sports in the UK?You must be 18 or over to bet on sports in the UK. Licensed bookmakers verify your identity when you register, including checking your age before you can deposit. Under-18s cannot legally place bets with licensed UK bookmakers.How do you bet on the Grand National?Each-way betting is one of the most common ways to bet on the Grand National. An each-way wager combines a win bet with a place bet, so part of the wager can pay if the horse finishes in a qualifying position. The available place terms vary between bookmakers.How much should you bet on sport as a beginner?Bettors should set a fixed betting budget and avoid increasing stakes to chase losses. Some bettors choose to stake a small, fixed percentage of their betting budget rather than a different amount from bet to bet. The important point is to set limits in advance and stick to them.What do the numbers in betting odds mean?Fractional odds show potential profit relative to your stake. At 5/1, a £10 winning bet makes £50 profit and returns £60 in total. Decimal odds show the total return: at 6.00, a £10 winning bet returns £60, including the original £10 stake.We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's best online gambling companies.Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.