With sports betting legalized in more and more states across America, sports fans have a lot more options for placing wagers on their favorite teams. But for newcomers to the world of official betting, there are a few basic rules that need to be followed before making a deposit or placing a bet.

Moneylines, spreads, and parlays are some of the most popular bets in sports betting. However, there are also player and team prop bets, which offer more specialized betting options. These bets typically come with much longer odds than standard bets, and some even include a variety of different game, team, or player outcomes.

These special bets can be especially useful for bettors who are looking to add a little extra spice to their watch parties. For example, a football team can be tipped to win a specific number of points in a given quarter or half. This type of bet is often offered by bookmakers who want to give bettors more options for winning.

The NHL was one of the first major professional sports leagues to open a sportsbook, when their expansion Vegas Golden Knights began playing in 2017. The NHL is smaller than the NFL and NBA, so it’s less likely to be affected by the negative issues that have impacted other organizations.

The NBA and NFL have both spoken out against sports gambling, with the NBA arguing that it is detrimental to the game and the players. However, the NHL has remained neutral on the issue, and several of its teams have sponsorship agreements with betting sites.