General Sports Betting FAQ — Common Questions Answered
Answers to the most common questions about sports betting in general. Covers legality, bankroll management, betting types, and responsible gambling.
Getting Started
Is sports betting legal in the US?
As of 2026, sports betting is legal in over 35 US states following the 2018 Supreme Court decision (Murphy v. NCAA) that struck down the federal ban. Each state regulates its own market. Check your local laws for current status.
How much money do I need to start betting on sports?
There's no minimum, but most responsible bankroll strategies suggest never risking more than 1-3% of your bankroll on a single bet. A reasonable starting bankroll is $200-$500, with unit sizes of $5-$15 per bet.
What is a unit in sports betting?
A unit is a standardized bet size relative to your bankroll, typically 1-3% of your total bankroll. If your bankroll is $1,000 and you use 2% units, one unit = $20. This system keeps your risk consistent regardless of bankroll size.
Betting Strategy
What is expected value (+EV) in betting?
Expected value measures whether a bet is mathematically profitable over the long run. A +EV bet has odds that are better than the true probability of the outcome. If a team's true win probability is 55% but the odds imply only 50%, that's a +EV bet.
Should I always bet on the underdog?
No. While underdogs offer higher payouts, they also win less often. The key is finding underdogs (or favorites) where the odds offered are better than the true probability — that is, finding +EV regardless of which side you bet.
What is the best sport to bet on?
The 'best' sport is one you know well and follows a predictable structure. NFL and NBA have the most data and market efficiency, while less popular sports (like tennis or MMA) can offer more +EV opportunities due to less efficient pricing by sportsbooks.