Here’s a detailed look at six core wager types and markets commonly found at Alberta sports betting sites. You’ll see how each works, which sports they shine in, and concrete examples so you can pick the right play.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is simply a straight-up pick on which team or player will win, no point spread involved. Odds are shown in American format: “+” for underdogs, “-” for favourites. A +180 line means a $100 stake nets $180 profit; a -180 line means you must risk $180 to win $100.
Why It’s Loved: It’s intuitive, just pick the winner. Sharp bettors use moneylines to dodge vig-heavy spreads, and underdog hunters chase plus-money payouts when they see value.
Popular Sports:
- NHL (Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames)
- MLB (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Soccer (1X2 format)
- NBA & NFL (moneylines appear alongside spreads)
Example (NHL):
Edmonton Oilers at -150 vs. Calgary Flames at +130.
A $150 bet on the Oilers wins $100 if they prevail; a $100 bet on the Flames wins $130 if they pull the upset.
Point Spread
A point-spread wager handicaps the favourite by “giving” points to the underdog, balancing action on both sides. You bet on whether the favourite wins by more than the spread (“covers”) or the underdog loses by less (or wins outright). Alberta sports betting sites will present odds that are typically -110 on both sides.
Key Nuance: A “push” (exact margin) refunds stakes. Alternate spreads (e.g., -3.5 or -5.5) offer different payouts.
Popular Sports:
- CFL (Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Elks)
- NFL (Edmonton and Calgary regional support)
- NBA
Example (CFL):
Calgary Stampeders -4.5 vs. Edmonton Elks +4.5.
A $110 bet on the Stampeders covers if they win by 5+ points; a $110 bet on the Elks wins if they lose by 4 or fewer, or win outright.
Totals (Over/Under)
Totals bets ask one simple question: will combined scoring be over or under a line set by the book? Standard vig applies (-110) across all Alberta sportsbooks.
Why It Clicks: Casual bettors enjoy rooting for “points” rather than a team. Sharps study pace, injuries, and scheduling to find edges on set lines across Alberta sports betting sites.
Popular Sports:
- NFL & NBA (high variance in scoring)
- CFL (total points in high-scoring games)
- Soccer (goal-line totals, e.g., over/under 2.5 goals)
Example (NBA):
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets total set at 226.5.
Bet “Over” if you think combined points exceed 226.5; “Under” if you foresee a defensive slugfest. A 118-110 (228) final wins the Over; 115-108 (223) wins the Under.
Props (Proposition Bets)
Props are micro-markets on specific events within a game, such as player stats, team milestones, or novelty outcomes. They are often unrelated to the final result.
Why They Shine: They let you leverage niche insights, like a star player’s matchup history or favourable line combinations.
Popular Sports:
- NHL (e.g., Connor McDavid over 1.5 points)
- NBA (LeBron James over 28.5 points)
- NFL (passing yards, touchdowns)
- MLB (hits, homers)
Examples:
- NHL Player Prop - Leon Draisaitl over 2.5 shots on goal
- NBA Player Prop - Jamal Murray over 24.5 points
- MLB Team Prop - Blue Jays team total hits over 9.5
Futures
Futures are long-term wagers on season or tournament-wide outcomes, such as champions, award winners, or win-total over/unders. You lock in odds well before resolution and let the bet ride for weeks or months.
Strategic Edge: Early odds are juicier but riskier. As the season evolves, you can hedge or trade out. Sharp bettors shop across Alberta betting sites for small price discrepancies.
Popular Sports:
- NHL: Stanley Cup winner, season points leader
- CFL: Grey Cup champion, league MVP
- NBA & NFL: champions, MVPs, win totals
Example (NHL):
Bet +1200 on the Edmonton Oilers to win the 2025-26 Stanley Cup in October. If they prevail next June, a $100 stake returns $1,300.
Parlays
A parlay links two or more bets into a single ticket: all legs must win to pay out, but odds multiply for high rewards.
- Traditional Parlays: Combine moneylines, spreads, and totals across different games.
- Same Game Parlays (SGPs): Bundle multiple selections from one contest (e.g., moneyline + player prop + total) into a single slip. Payouts are richer, but correlations can affect settlement rules.
Why They Explode: Parlays and SGPs promise lottery-style payouts. Recreational bettors chase big scores; Alberta sports betting sites love the high hold. Savvy players use small-stake parlays when true correlation value exists.
Example (NHL SGP):
- Oilers Moneyline
- Connor McDavid over 1.5 points
- Total over 6.5 goals
All three legs must hit for a payout; a single miss means you lose the entire ticket.