Whether you are a Toronto FC fan or a follower of the Dallas Cowboys, you may be looking to get into some sports betting online, but there are some things that you must know before you jump into the pool.

The first thing that a player (perhaps one that uses price per head bookmaking software) would tell you to do is to learn how to read point spreads and money lines. The first concept you should grasp is that there will be a favorite (shown by a minus sign) and an underdog (shown by a plus sign). Point spreads are mostly used in basketball and football, and that would mean that, for example, Miami (-5) is favored by five points to beat New York (+5). The Heat has to win by more than five points to win your bet; if they win by five, you lose.

The money line is different in that it would be shown, for example, Miami (-140) is favored over New York (+120), and that means you have to bet $140 to win $100 on Miami, but $100 on New York would net you $120.

Then you have to understand the vig, or the juice, and this gives the sportsbooks a chance to make money regardless of outcome; basically, it’s their cut for taking your bet. Sportsbooks look to attract an equal amount of money on both sides, and they will also offer, on certain days, a reduced juice so it costs less to make a wager. These are definitely things you should look for when you’re sports betting online.

While most following NFL scores will look towards the spread when it comes to betting, the money line is something that shouldn’t be overlooked and if you play it right, you can make some big bucks by playing with the money line.

When it comes to the money line, points have no bearing on the final score, so cross out the spread; here, you are simply betting on one team to win. There are two sides to the money line, the favorite (denoted by a minus sign) and the underdog (denoted with a plus sign). An experienced player (perhaps one that uses price per head bookie services) knows that you should always start with a $100 bet when trying to figure out your winnings on the money line. For example, if the New England Patriots are rated at -240 to beat Miami, it means you need to bet $240 to win $100. On the other hand, if you wager on the Dolphins, who are rated at +210, you will win $210 on a $100 bet, which makes underdogs very desirable if you’re planning on wagering with the money line.

When it comes to large point spreads like you will often find in college sports, you won’t find a money line, and the same goes for small points spreads. Start small when it comes to using money lines until you get the hang of it, and then test your skill at your favorite sports betting sites.

Even Ottawa Senators fans will have an eye on bowl season in the NCAA, and while the Orange Bowl matchup of Clemson and West Virginia may not get the attention of others, this could be a thoroughly entertaining football game.

West Virginia Clemson Odds – January 4^th, 8:30 PM ET

The No.23 Mountaineers (9-3, 5-2 Big East) came out on top in the Big East and those who purchase per head services know that West Virginia has an offense that keeps them competitive, led by quarterback Geno Smith, but the defense can be exposed and they once gave up 49 points against a bad Syracuse team. West Virginia is making its first appearance in the Orange Bowl.

The No.15 Tigers (10-3, 6-2 ACC) bounced back from a loss at rival South Carolina to roll over Virginia Tech for the second time this season, leaving no doubt who the best team in the ACC is. However, a stretch where they lost three of four has some skeptical of the Tigers’ top-15 ranking and their defense is suspect. Clemson is 2-1 in the Orange Bowl and haven’t been here since winning 22-15 over Nebraska in 1982.

Clemson is favored by 3.5 points in Miami, and this is the first meeting for these two programs. Both teams are built similarly, although Clemson’s offense is more balanced while West Virginia depends on the pass. It all depends on Clemson’s defense and which shows up, the one that got slaughtered by North Carolina State, or the one that solved Virginia Tech twice.

Bet On Sports – Clemson -3.5

Even WWE Raw fans have to appreciate what Jon Jones has done in the UFC, and he is on the cusp of completing one of the great years in MMA history on December 10^th in Toronto when he defends his light-heavyweight belt against former champion Lyoto Machida.

Jones Machida Odds – Saturday, December 10^th, 9:00 PM ET (PPV card, check sportsbook for prelims)

Jones (14-1) has to be the per head favorite for Fighter of the Year if he can manage to defeat Machida, as he has beaten Ryan Bader, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (who beat Machida to win the belt) and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (another former champ) since February. Not only has he beaten them, but Jones has made it look easy with imaginative striking, excellent wrestling and strong jiu-jitsu. He also has an 84.5-inch reach, the longest in UFC history.

Machida (17-2) won “Knockout of the Night” in the UFC’s first trip to Toronto in April, ending Randy Couture’s career with a front kick and even though he may have backed into this title shot because of an injury to Rashad Evans, the “Dragon” is a worthy adversary for Jones with his array of leg sweeps and unorthodox striking; his brand of “Machida Karate” is an offshoot of Shotokan, and he will also have to use his takedown defense, which some think is the best in MMA.

Jones is a massive -450 favorite in this title fight, and he has been spectacular this year with two submissions, a TKO of Rua and all-around domination. It’ll be interesting to see if he can take Machida to the mat and keep him there; remember, Machida is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. It’ll be a decision win, but we’re sticking with Jon Jones in our sports betting online book.