Betting on regular-season college football can add extra excitement to the contests, but betting on postseason bowl games can be tricky if you aren’t prepared.
Join me as I explain how betting odds work, how to effectively use one of the many Ohio sportsbook bonuses, and a few dos and don’ts to help you wager on your favorite Buckeye State University.
How College Football Betting Odds Work
An often overlooked aspect of sports betting is understanding how betting odds work. It’s also why most sports bettors don’t enjoy long-term success, but I’m here to tell you that knowing how betting odds work will help you win more of your bowl game wagers.
Betting odds are the (+) and (-) next to the number. Anytime you see (+), that denotes what you can win for a $100 wager. The (-) is what you must pay to win $100.
Let’s use the December 29 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between the Missouri Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes as our example.
Moneyline Odds
Missouri is a -142 favorite, meaning you must wager $142 to win $100. Flip that around, and a $100 stake in the Buckeyes would win $120.
Spread Odds
DraftKings is offering a .20 cent line. Missouri is a -2.5 (-118) favorite, meaning to win $100, not only must Missouri win the game, but they must win by a three-point margin. DraftKings charges $118 to win $100 on a Missouri -2.5 wager, but a +2.5 (-102) would net the Ohio bettor $100 on a $102 stake.
Over/Under Odds
The Over/Under or Total betting odds work the same way as the spread. The Ohio bookie sets a game total and attaches a (-) or (+) next to the number. To win $100 on an Over wager, Ohio gamblers must risk (-112), whereas the Under bettors must risk $108 to win $100.
The most important thing to remember is this: for an Ohio sports bettor to break even, they must win 52.4% of their wagers at -110 odds. Be careful how much vigor you pay because the more vigor you pay, the less likely it is to win long-term.
Welcome Bonus and Betting Credits
OH Betting has assembled a page with our trusted sportsbooks and the bonuses they offer. The bonuses offered in Ohio by bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings, and ESPN Bets all offer betting credits for as little as a $5 initial wager.
Just remember that no two bonuses are alike, and it’s essential to understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a sportsbook bonus in Ohio.
College Bowl Betting Do’s
We won’t give you an extensive list of college football bowl games “do’s,” but here are a few tips to help you possibly win more wagers.
Line Shop: Not every sportsbook offers the same number or odds; line shopping is where the Ohio bettor will find value. There isn’t a pro gambler alive who doesn’t have at least 10 sportsbook accounts, and if the Ohio bettor desires to be successful at sports betting, they will have accounts at as many Ohio sportsbooks as possible.
Bankroll Management: Knowing how to manage your money requires discipline. Losing streaks can last for months, and managing your bankroll is the secret to the pro bettors’ success. There are different ways to accomplish this, and our best advice is to find a bankroll management system and stick with it.
Follow the Beat Writers: Betting on college bowl games was much easier before the Transfer Portal and “Opt-Outs” became a thing. Every major college football team has at least one local reporter covering the team. You want to follow them on social media as they will be the first ones reporting any Transfer Portal transfers or players deciding to opt out of their teams’ bowl appearance.
College Bowl Betting Don’ts
We won’t give you an extensive list of college football bowl game “don’ts,” but there are a few tips to help you possibly win more wagers.
Don’t Buy Betting Picks: Touts selling betting picks have been around forever, but the Ohio bettor should NEVER pay someone for their picks. Most of these so-called “experts” are losing bettors who couldn’t win a bet with tomorrow’s newspaper, and you don’t need any help losing your money.
Don’t Chase Losses: Betting on college football can be profitable, but you can also lose your shirt. Bowl season isn’t the time to bet your way out of a bad season. Be smart, line shop, and bet wisely; otherwise, you’ll lose more money, and who wants that?
Don’t Bet While Intoxicated: They don’t refer to alcohol as “smart juice” for nothing, and the holiday season means parties, and that usually means alcohol. No matter what you see from the touts and shills, drinking and gambling is a bad idea. If you want to drink, don’t bet.
