Getting started online
Opening an account
As you probably know, or at least have guessed, there are loads of online betting sites to choose from. Sites can vary slightly in the odds they give so it's worth opening multiple accounts and comparing the odds for a particular bet.
Another thing to take into consideration is that most online betting sites offer free bets when you open an account with them. It's important to remember that this bonus is not free money, normally you have to bet a certain amount before you can withdraw this bonus, but they can be of some help.
Other considerations
There are a number of other things you need to take into consideration when choosing a betting site.
- How can you deposit and withdraw money? This is particularly important for US players whose credit card companies may block payments to gambling sites. The site should have a list of accepted payment methods at the bottom of the page.
- What is the minimum deposit? Normally between £5 and £15
- What is the minimum bet? Normally less than £2
- What is the maximum payout? This is important if you want to make larger bets, although this amount could be £100 or less. Make sure your winnings won't be above this amount.
- What are the rules? Check the sites betting rules as they can vary.
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To find the answers to these questions look in their terms and conditions. Normally a 'terms and conditions' link can be found at the bottom of the page.
Once you've chosen a betting site, opening an account is easy. Simply go to their website and click the 'join now', 'register' or similar link. You will then be required to fill in your personal details.
Depositing and betting
The next thing you need to do is to deposit some money. On some sites it may ask you to do this when signing up. If not there should be a deposit or top-up page that will allow you to do this.
You should now be able to search or browse for the event you want to bet on. Once you find the event and click on it, a list of different bets normally be shown with the relevant odds. Normally placing a bet is as simple as clicking on the bet you want, entering an amount and clicking 'place bet'.
Betting exchanges
At a betting exchange you bet against other people rather than a bookmaker. You can either place a normal bet or act as a bookmaker and give odds for something.
With a betting exchange you can place bets at the odds given or you can queue to get better odds. The other person need to accept these odds or the bet will be void.
One great thing about a betting exchange is that you tend to get better odds than you would in a bookmakers. However, the betting exchange will take a small percentage of all winnings.
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