If you’ve ever opened DraftKings and stared blankly at terms like spread, total, or parlay, wondering if you accidentally downloaded some secret sports betting language — you’re not alone.
Online sportsbooks like DraftKings toss around these phrases like they’re common sense, but for many newcomers, it’s like trying to decode a cryptic puzzle.
And here’s the kicker: betting without understanding these bet types is the fastest way to burn your bankroll and get frustrated.
So let’s cut through the jargon with some plain-English, down-to-earth insights that will not only make you feel smart but also help you stop losing money and start betting smarter.
🎯 Pain Point: Bet Types Sound Complicated, But You Just Want to Know How to Win (or Lose Less)
When you see:
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Spread: What’s the deal with those weird plus and minus points?
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Totals: Are you betting on a game’s score or something else?
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Parlays: Sounds fancy, but why do they pay so much — and why do so many people lose them?
This confusion leads to random bets, hoping for luck instead of making smart choices. Spoiler: Luck runs out fast.
🧠 Bet Type Breakdown: Plain English Edition
1. The Spread:
Think of this as a way to “level the playing field.”
If the Chiefs are -7 against the Jets, it means the Chiefs have to win by more than 7 points for you to win your bet.
If you bet the Jets +7, you win if the Jets either win outright or lose by less than 7.
Why it matters:
Spreads keep betting interesting on uneven matchups and help you bet on who will “cover the spread,” not just who wins.
2. Totals (Over/Under):
Here, you’re betting on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
If the total is 45.5 and you bet the over, you’re rooting for a high-scoring game — both teams scoring 46 or more combined.
Why it matters:
Totals let you bet on the game’s pace and style — a nice break if you’re not sure who’ll win but love the thrill of scoring.
3. Parlays:
This is the sexy, high-risk bet where you combine 2 or more bets into one.
You need all your picks to win to cash in — one loss, and the whole parlay is gone.
Why it matters:
They pay big but are super hard to hit. Think of parlays as lottery tickets — fun occasionally, but dangerous if you chase losses with them.
🔥 Unconventional Insight: Treat Bet Types Like Tools — Not Toys
Most people treat spreads, totals, and parlays like gambling gadgets to play around with. The pros? They use them strategically.
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Use spreads to bet with confidence when you think a favorite will crush or an underdog will keep it close.
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Use totals to leverage your knowledge about teams’ offensive or defensive styles.
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Use parlays sparingly — ideally only when the individual bets all have strong edges.
🧰 Quick Tips to Avoid Losing on Bet Types
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Don’t parlay just for the thrill. Bet what you’d be okay losing.
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Understand the math behind the spread — it’s not just who wins, but by how much.
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Watch games or stats to learn which teams run up scores and which grind it out for low totals.
🧠 Mental Trick: Visualize Each Bet Type as a Game Within the Game
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Spread: Betting on margin of victory — it’s like guessing by how much your team wins, not just if they win.
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Totals: Betting on the combined story — a full game experience, not just a single outcome.
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Parlays: Betting on a chain reaction — one win triggers the next, but a single loss breaks the whole streak.
⚠️ Warning: Misunderstanding Bet Types Will Drain Your Bankroll Faster Than You Think
If you blindly bet parlays or spreads without really knowing how they work, it’s like playing darts blindfolded — fun for a second, but painful in the end.
🏁 Final Thought: Learn the Bet Types, Take Control, Bet Smarter
DraftKings offers tons of bet types — but the secret is, you don’t have to master them all. Just start by really understanding spreads, totals, and parlays.
When you do, you’ll stop losing money on confusion and start betting with purpose.
That’s how you turn casual guessing into smart plays.
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