How To Start Betting On Sports In Arizona

It’s fun to get together with some friends to watch the big game at a Mesa football bar. Sports games can be even more exciting when you bet a bit of cash on the outcome. If you win the bet, you can pocket some extra money! Sports betting can feel a bit confusing at first, so use this guide to help you understand the basics of how it works. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert at making the right bets!

Friends enjoying a game in a sports bar in Mesa, AZ

Understanding Spread Betting

One type of sports betting at a Mesa sports bar and grill is called a spread. In this situation, the bet is placed on how many points by which a team will win or lose a game. This type of bet is commonly used in sports games like football or basketball. You’ll often see it written in this example format:

Chicago -4
New York +4

In this example where Chicago and New York teams play against each other, +/- 4 is the spread. To win this bet at a Mesa football bar, Chicago must win by 5 points or more, or New York can lose by 3 points or fewer. If Chicago wins by exactly 4 points, it’s considered a push or a draw, and everyone gets their wagered money back.

Placing Your Bet: Knowing How Much Money You’ll Need To Risk

When you see a sports wager at a Mesa Green Bay Packers bar, you’ll often see a second number next to the spread, written like this: Chicago -4 (-110). The -110 indicates how much extra money you’ll need to risk on your wager. It means that for every $1 you want to win, you must risk $1.10. You’ll notice this means that bettors will have to risk 10% more than they can possibly win. This extra fee is called vigorish, also known as “vig” or “juice.” Sometimes, this fee is 5%, or another number. A 5% fee would be written as: Chicago -4 (-105). When there is no number after the spread, -110 is assumed. If no one wins, all the money goes back to the bettors.

Understanding The Moneyline Wager

A second type of bet you’ll see at a Mesa sports bar is called a moneyline wager. This type of bet is based on the outcome of the game without a point spread. You are betting that one team will win the game outright regardless of by how many points. This type of bet is more popular with MLB and NHL games, golf, or combat sports such as UFC. Usually, you’ll see moneyline wager written like this:

X Team/Player -200
Y Team/Player +170

As you can see from this example, there is no spread on this wager. Instead, the bet is simply whether a team will win. The vigorish number next to the team/player indicates how much extra must be bet. In this example, a person must bet $200 in order to win $100, or 2-1 odds, if they are betting on the favored team to win the game. If you want to bet on the underdog, Team Y, a $100 bet will net $170 in this example. When you bet on the underdog, you can make a big profit if your team wins, but the chances of that happening are usually less likely so there is a bigger risk. Whichever way you choose to bet, you’ll still enjoy a fun night with your friends at a Mesa sports bar and grill.

Visit The Best Sports Bar In Mesa!

Putting in a wager on a sports game can be exciting and fun! You get to enjoy your favorite team’s games and the Mesa football bar environment while also having a chance to win if your guesses are right. If you are new to sports betting, take some time to watch and ask questions, and make only small bets until you understand how it all works. Be sure to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you are able to lose.

If you’re looking for a fun environment to watch sports games and place some bets, visit O’Kelley’s Sports Bar & Grill. We are the best Mesa sports bar and grill with a delicious menu, outstanding bartenders, and fun activities including poker, pool, trivia, darts, and karaoke. You can view a variety of sports games and horse races on our big screen TVs, or enjoy one of our concerts on the weekends. Come in to O’Kelley’s any night of the week for great food, the best entertainment, and a fun sports betting experience!

 

O'Kelley's Sports Bar & Grill Logo

O’Kelley’s Sports Bar & Grill

2120 W. Guadalupe Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85202

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 480-756-6069

SUN: 9AM – 2AM
MON – SAT: 6AM – 2AM