The act of placing a bet on an event or game with the expectation of winning something. Betting includes all types of casino-style games like poker and baccarat as well as non-casino games such as bingo, lotteries, dead pool, and arcade games. In addition, it is also possible to place bets on sports events like football and horse races. Betting also includes proposition bets that relate to player or team performance- for example over/under bets on how many total touchdown passes a quarterback will throw in a game or the color of Gatorade that a coach will douse his players with during the Super Bowl.

Betting odds are based on the probability of an outcome occurring, and bettors can compile fair odds for any given event using statistics, historical data, and inside information. This can help bettors identify potential value bets.

In addition to moneylines and point spreads, betting sites also offer futures odds. These are long-term odds that focus on things that will happen down the road, such as a specific team winning a division or championship. Futures odds are often volatile, as they can change dramatically based on injuries or unexpected circumstances.

Value betting is a strategy that involves seeking out bets that are priced lower than their implied expected value. In theory, if you can find enough of these bets, they will make you money over time. However, it’s important to understand the risks involved in this type of betting.