Before you bet, have a game plan

Complete this short quiz to build a game plan before you bet.

Before you place a bet, check in with yourself:

• Are you feeling calm and clear-headed?
• Are you betting for fun, not to chase a win or recover a loss?
• Would you stick to your plan no matter how the game unfolds?

Your bankroll is the total amount of money you’ve set aside for betting, separate from everyday spending. Think of it like your season budget. Once it’s set, you play within it. 

How to set your bankroll 

• Decide how much you’re comfortable spending before the game starts
• Only use money you can afford to lose
• Keep this amount separate from bills, savings, and essentials 

Break it into “units” 

Instead of betting your whole bankroll at once, divide it into smaller pieces (often called units). 

Example: 

• Bankroll: $100 
• Unit size: $5–$10 per bet 
• Result: You can place multiple bets without risking everything at once 

Why this helps 

• Keeps your betting consistent
• Helps you avoid big swings or impulsive bets
• Makes it easier to stick to your plan, even during winning or losing streaks 

Set your limits ahead of time 

• Decide your max spend for the game or week
• Consider a stop‑loss limit (e.g., “I’ll stop if I lose $50”) 
• Consider a stop‑win limit (e.g., “I’ll cash out after I win $50”)

It's more fun when you know how to play. Understanding how sports betting works makes it easier to make informed choices and keeps the fun in the game. 

• Choose your market: Moneyline, Point Spread, Totals 
• Pick your bet type: Singles, Parlays, Same Game Parlays  
• Know the rules: Each bet type has different risk levels and chances of winning

Choose your markets

Decide your bet type

On PlayNow Sports and Proline, you can choose popular bet types such as:  

• Single Bet: This is a bet on a single game or event. 
• Parlay: A bet that combines multiple bets from different events. 
• Same Game Parlay: This combines multiple bets from the same game or event.

In a basic bet, both sides risk and win the same amount. For example, “I’ll bet you $5 Team A beats Team B tonight”. 

• Team A wins > you pay me $5
• Team B wins > I pay you $5

But in sports betting, not all teams are equal. That’s where odds come in. Odds help balance the bet by adjusting the reward based on risk. 

Odds tell you two things: 

• How likely an outcome is of happening
• What you could win

How it works

Your stake is the amount you’re willing to bet. The odds determine your potential return. For example, you have $10 to bet tonight.

• $10 bet at 1.68 odds = $16.80 total return 
• $10 bet at 2.35 odds = $23.50 total return 

Lower odds pay less because the outcome is more likely. Higher odds pay more because the outcome is less likely.

What are your chances of winning?

Odds can also be thought of as your approximate chance of winning (in the sports betting world, this is known as implied probability): 

• 1.68 odds ≈ ~60% chance of winning 
• 2.35 odds ≈ ~43% chance of winning

Sports betting is more enjoyable when you know the rules so you can stay in command of your game. Before the game starts, set a pre-game plan for your mindset, bet type, and bankroll to help you:

• Stay in control and stick to your limits
• Avoid chasing losses or making impulsive decisions
• Play with intention, not emotion
• Focus on enjoying the full game experience