Sports Betting 101

Prefer that we explain it to you? Check out this episode of the Last Night’s Game podcast.

These examples apply to most sports, but we used football as an example. 

1. One way to bet is on the spread. The spread is the number sportsbooks think a team will win/lose by. 

   • For example, if the Seattle Seahawks are listed -4 (favored by four points) vs. the New England Patriots, it means they’re the favorite. Favored teams always have a minus in front, and the underdogs have a plus. This means the Seahawks would have to win by four or more points for you to win. Conversely, the Patriots can lose by 3 points and you would still win, if they lose by 4 it would be a “push”, so you receive money back.

2. Another way to bet is to go with the money line bet, meaning you bet on a team to win straight up, without a spread. This is beneficial if you think the underdog will win, as the payouts are bigger. (The favorites are more likely to win, so payouts are less).

   • For example, the Patriots are +190 money line bet, meaning they would have to win the game for you to win the bet. If you put $10 on them and they won, you would win $19. The total payout would be $29. 

   • Seahawks  are -230 favorites therefore the odds in a money line bet are not as good. If you put $10 on them, you would only win $4.23, with the total payout being $14.23.

3. Then there’s the under/over bet, which means you are not betting on any specific team but the final score of the game.

   • Let’s say the Super Bowl over/under is 46. If you take the over, you’re betting that the two teams will score at least 46 points. The under means you bet that they will score fewer than 46 points total.

4. Another betting option is a parlay, which is placing two or more bets on a single ticket. Parlays have higher payouts because the likelihood of winning decreases with more bets put on a parlay card. Each bet must win for you to win your bet.

   • An example, according to the William Hill mobile betting app, if you put $10 on a parlay with 2 selections, the payout would be $26.44. It would look like this: 

   • Patriots +4 (spread – can lose by three points to win, and if they lose by four, you get money back)

   • Seahawks/Patriots Over 46 (over/under – total score will consist of 46 points or more)

5. Last but certainly the most fun is a proposition (prop) bet. Prop bets are wagers on individual outcomes that may occur during the game. They are very popular during the Super Bowl. Here are some popular prop bets in the Super Bowl:

   • Over/under of the length of the national anthem

   • Who will win the opening coin toss?

   • What color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach?

6. A few last-minute pointers

   • A push means you tie your bet and get the money you bet back. Say you bet over 44 for Patriots/Broncos and they score exactly 44. You will get your money back because they met the over points, but didn’t actually go over.

   • Backdoor means the team scores a meaningless point at the end of the game to cover a spread. 

   • If there is a .5 in the number, like over/under 46.5, the teams must score 47 for you to win.

   • A sportsbook makes money by taking a cut of each bet, which typically is 10 cents on spreads and over/under. Therefore, if you wanted to bet $10 on the Broncos at +3 odds (win by three or more), it would be -110. Which means you would need to put down $11 to make it even money.

   • Lastly, the people who set the points on each game are smart, and there’s a reason it's their job. They’re good at making the casino money. Enjoy it, but gamble responsibly.

Want more? Here’s a guide to sports betting for newbies.

How To Talk (And Bet) Hockey Like A Pro This Stanley Cup Final

The Stanley Cup Final is here: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers. Whether you’re watching for the hits, the goals, or because someone in your life roped you in, you’ll hear a lot of betting talk during the broadcast. Here's how to follow along and sound like you know what you're doing (even if it’s your first time).

Puck Line = Hockey’s Version of “The Spread”

In football or basketball, you’ll hear about “the spread”—how many points a team is expected to win or lose by.
In hockey? We refer to that as the puck line, and it’s always set at 1.5 goals.

Example:
👉 Oilers -1.5 puck line → They need to win by 2 or more goals for you to win this bet.
👉 Panthers +1.5 puck line → They can lose by 1 goal or win the game for your bet to cash.

You’ll often see -110 odds on these bets. That means you’d bet $11 to win $10.

Moneyline = Pick the Winner

The simplest bet of all: Who do you think will win?
That’s a moneyline bet.

👉 Favorites have a minus (-) in front of the number (example: Oilers -150).
👉 Underdogs have a plus (+) in front of the number (example: Panthers +130).

The bigger the number after the +, the bigger the payout if they win.
The bigger the number after the -, the more you have to bet to win a smaller return.

Over/Under (aka Totals)

This one’s about total goals scored by both teams combined, including overtime and shootouts.

Example: Over/Under 5.5 goals
👉 Bet the Over if you think there will be 6 or more goals.
👉 Bet the Under if you think it’ll be 5 or fewer goals.

Most Over/Under bets will also be -110 odds.

Tip: If the game ends tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, the Over has already hit—because a winning goal in OT is guaranteed.

Parlay = Combine Bets for Bigger Payouts

Feeling bold? You can combine multiple bets into one parlay ticket.
More bets = bigger potential payout—but you have to win all of them to cash in.

Example:

• Oilers moneyline (-110)

• Over 5.5 goals (-110)

A $10 parlay on this combo could pay out about $26.45.

Same Game Parlay = Mix Team + Player Bets

This newer option allows you to stack bets from the same game, including prop bets (also known as player-specific bets).

Example:

• Oilers to win

• Over 6 goals

• Connor McDavid to score a goal

These parlays offer juicy payouts, but they’re riskier because you’re counting on specific player performances as well.

Prop Bets: Shots vs. Shots on Goal

Prop bets are where things get fun—and very specific.
Shots and shots on goal are two different things:

👉 Shot on goal: A shot that would go into the net if the goalie didn’t stop it (includes actual goals).
👉 Shot: Any attempt, even if it’s blocked, misses the net, or gets deflected.

You can bet on individual player totals or team totals for either stat.

Now You’re Ready

That’s your crash course in hockey betting!

Even if you never place a bet, now you can follow the lingo and impress your friends when someone says, “I need one more shot on goal from McDavid to hit my parlay!”

Horse Betting 101

Want to bet on the Kentucky Derby but not sure where to start? 🐎

We break down the basics of horse racing bets — win, place, show, exacta, trifecta — without making it feel like you're cramming for a math test.

Whether you pick based on odds or the funniest horse name (no shame), you’ll sound like a seasoned pro by race time. 🎩🥃

Hit play and let’s make Derby Day a little more exciting (and a lot less confusing).

Want more? Check out our podcast episode all about the Kentucky Derby.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

Amy:
Hey, it's Amy and Scott from the Last Night's Game podcast, and we’re breaking down the NBA Play-In Tournament — which starts April 15. I know nothing about it, so Scott's here to fill us in on what the heck it is.

Scott:
That’s why I’m here. The Play-In Tournament started in 2020 during COVID as a way to add more games (and more viewers). It was supposed to be a one-time thing… but it worked, so they kept it.

LeBron James? Not a fan. He said the person who came up with it should be fired.

Here’s how it works: The 7th through 10th seeds in each conference (East and West) play in a mini tournament. Two teams from each side make it through to become the 7th and 8th seeds in the actual NBA Playoffs.

Amy:
So just to clarify: Two conferences, four teams each in the Play-In, and two winners from each side move on to the big dance — aka the NBA Playoffs. Got it.

But why exactly does LeBron hate it?

Scott:
He doesn’t want to play extra games. Not this year — he’s not in it — but in general, superstars don’t love more games tacked on.

Amy:
But couldn’t you argue that this gives some players — like LeBron — a second chance to make the playoffs?

Scott:
Exactly. It keeps things interesting.

Amy:
Okay, so the Play-In starts April 15, and the Playoffs kick off April 19. Who’s the team to watch?

Scott:
The Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re the number one seed in the West and have dominated all season. They're young, exciting, and they’ve got something to prove.

Amy:
Perfect. Basketball fans, and even the casual ones like me, you now have everything you need. The Play-In Tournament starts April 15, the Playoffs start April 19

Why The WNBA Draft Is Different And Worth Watching

Amy:
Hey, it’s Amy and Scott from the Last Night’s Game podcast, and today we’re talking about the WNBA Draft. We're giving you a quick 101 on what you need to know as the next generation of WNBA stars takes center stage. Scott, who should we have our eye on?

Scott:
This year, the Dallas Wings have the number one pick after winning the draft lottery. Of the top contenders, Paige Bueckers from UConn is leading the pack. She’s coming off a national championship and a standout college career.

Amy:
What’s unique about the WNBA Draft — and something we talk about a lot — is how women’s college players are able to build huge brands before they even turn pro. That’s because of league rules that keep them in school longer than their male counterparts.

Scott:
Exactly. Unlike the NBA, where players can enter the draft at 19, WNBA players have to be 22 — so they’re usually in college for three or four years. That extra time helps them grow their brand and fanbase before they go pro.

Amy:
You mentioned earlier that some players expected to go early in the draft are choosing to return to school. That surprised me — especially when Caitlin Clark and others took their shot this year.

Scott:
Right. One projected number two pick from Notre Dame actually transferred to TCU instead of entering the draft. With NIL money, she can potentially make more in college than with a WNBA rookie contract, which starts around $76,000. That said, starting your pro clock gets you closer to the next, bigger contract.

Amy:
That makes sense — especially when you factor in endorsement deals, like Caitlin Clark’s. It’s fascinating to watch this transition as women’s sports evolve.

Scott:
Totally. The structure is still developing, but the momentum is real.

Amy:
So, mark your calendars — the WNBA Draft is Monday, April 14. I’ll be watching for the fashion, of course, and for the incredible stories of these women reaching their goals. Scott, thanks for breaking it down.

Pickleball 101

(Podcast length 5:16 mins)

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We've seen your notes asking us about the sport, and if we're being honest, we knew nothing about pickleball until doing this research. So here we go, diving in head first to Pickleball 101.

PS: We checked this info with actual pickleball players; therefore, you're in good hands.

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Transcript

Before we get started, the basics:

1. It's a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.

2. It's played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.

3. The game is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, similar to a Wiffle ball.

4. It can be played as doubles or singles, and your opponent doesn't have to be the same gender.

1. Pickleball has gone mainstream - major sports brands are selling pickleball gear, sponsoring pickleball players, and networks like CBS broadcast games. The New York Times declared pickleball "ready for prime time," Vanity Fair has covered the sport, and the sport will be the focus of a comedic primetime special called Pickled, set to air on CBS and Paramount+ later this year. USA Pickleball Membership had over 53,000 members at the end of 2021, a 43% increase from the previous year and the organization's largest single growth year. PICKLEDOME

2. Everybody is playing it. They're all picking up a racket from the Kardashians to Melinda Gates, Michael Phelps, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Owen Wilson, Russell Wilson to Drew Brees. Leonardo DiCaprio plays every day—by his own rules, naturally. His game is "like a free-for-all," one L.A.-based showrunner confided to Vanity Fair. The best pickleball story is about an unsuspecting Pittsburgh mom who ended up playing with members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. BIG FANS

3. The genesis of pickleball dates back to 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle). Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum came up with the sport because their kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules to the sport it is today, where it's played by official university pickleball teams, to the National Senior Games to the Pickleball National Championships with 2,300 registered players. OLYMPICS NEXT?

4. Although a great story, the game is not named after the Pritchard family dog, Pickles. (Pickles wasn't alive in 1965). The sport's name is in reference to the local pickle boat races. Yes, college crew "Pickle Boats" inspired the game's name, but Joel Pritchard confessed he used to confirm the dog story as a funny newspaper interview hoax. LAUGHING WITH YOU, NOT AT YOU, REPORTERS

5. Some terms to throw around if you're picking up a paddle at one of the 8,500 locations on the USA Pickleball's Places2Play map are similar to what you might hear in tennis, like ace and backhand. Then there's the non-volley zone (NVZ or "The Kitchen"), a seven-foot area on either side of the net where players cannot volley the ball. It includes all lines surrounding the zone. At worst, yell "pickle!" before serving, the universal warning the server shouts to alert players that they are about to serve. TALKING SHOP

If you want more on pickleball, this is an excellent resource or here's a five-minute video that goes over the rules.

Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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Fantasy Football

JUMPING ONBOARD THE FANTASY FOOTBALL TRAIN? HERE ARE A FEW BASIC POINTERS ON HOW IT WORKS AND PICKING A TEAM.

The basics

1. A league will have a commissioner who sets up the rules, draft date and approves any trades (so be nice to them).

2. Ideally, there are 8-14 teams per league who will play each other during the season. The team with the most points between the matchups within your league wins.

3. Don't forget to set your lineups once a week. You have up until your first player's game starts to adjust. Remember, some teams play on Thursday night.

4. Scoring systems and roster structure can vary league by league depending on the participants' preference, so make sure to learn the rules of the league you're involved with.

How to draft a winning team

1. Here's one phrase to have in your back pocket - PPR. When translated into plain English, it means a point per reception. So, when drafting, look for offensive players who have a lot of time with the ball and tend to score, such as wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. The higher the number, the better.

2. While drafting, be aware of bye weeks, i.e., a week off. For example, don't forget to bench your players when they have a bye week. Don't draft quarterbacks with the same bye weeks because you won't have one to play that week!

3. Don't waste any of your early picks on kickers.

4. You can spend an entire day going over stats and reading the commentary. At the end of the day, go with your gut and have fun.

Still hungry? Don't forget to check out our five things you need to know about fantasy football. 

Lacrosse 101

Lacrosse is all the rage right now. It seems like everywhere you go (or maybe it’s just us), someone is off to their kid’s game or playing in an adult league. So what the heck is this net game with a stick?

1. Lacrosse was started by the Native Americans and was known as stickball. It’s a contact sport with slashes and intense hits to the stick and body. There are 10 players per team – nine players and a goalie. It’s played with a ball (that’s solid rubber and really hard) and crosse (aka a lacrosse stick). Players cannot touch the ball with their hands (except for the goalie). SOLID START

2. Lacrosse is taking advantage of the decline in youth playing football, with their numbers increasing over 35% in five years. Over 2.2 million Americans participate in the sport. COME ON IN, THE WATER’S FINE

3. The difference between men's and women’s lacrosse? There is no body contact in the women’s version; therefore, body pads and big helmets aren’t required, where the men must wear padding and helmets. THE SMARTER SEX?

4. They are currently the only outdoor professional lacrosse league in the country after buying their competitor, the 20-year-old Major League Lacrosse. The PLL, which was started by the “LeBron James of lacrosse,” Paul Rabil. They’ve disrupted the traditional sports business model with a tour-based league (i.e., no home cities) and no team owners (more money to pay players). They’re also providing a vesting schedule to give players equity in the league. ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM. OH WAIT…

5. The biggest lacrosse game of the year isn’t one you’d expect. The tradition is for the FBI and the Secret Service to face off in an epic game. So imagine the intelligence that went into those scouting reports. ARE WIRETAPS IN THE LOCKER ROOM ILLEGAL?