Before you place your bets, it’s important to understand the odds. This will help you know how much to wager and which bets are good ones. Odds are determined by several factors besides the probability of an event happening. If you’re not familiar with these factors, you can learn more about them by reading about them in the sportsbook’s rules.

Most sportsbooks make the process of placing a bet simple. You’ll see the names of the teams and their respective odds. To make your bet, simply click the cell adjacent to the team’s name. In the case of college football, USC was a 14-point underdog against Alabama.

Many traditional online sportsbooks are paid by a flat-rate subscription. For example, if you bet $500 on the Super Bowl, you’ll pay the same price. The downside is that this doesn’t scale with your business. In fact, if you want to make more money, you’ll need to expand your sportsbook, and you’ll have to invest in sportsbook software.

You’ll also need to consider the legality of the sport. Many states have laws regarding the legality of sports betting. If you’re not sure about the legalities of setting up a sportsbook, consult a professional attorney.