LVJILI Sports Bet Types Compared: Moneyline, Handicap, Totals and Parlays for Beginners
A sportsbook menu can list dozens of markets for a single PBA or NBA game, yet most are variations on five basic bet types. The LVJILI help desk lines them up in tables, with ₱100 examples, so your first slip is a choice rather than a guess.
The Five Bet Types at a Glance
| Bet type | You are betting that… | Complexity | Settles when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline (match winner) | A team or player wins outright | Lowest | The result is official |
| Handicap / spread | A team wins after a points or goals adjustment | Medium | Result plus the adjustment |
| Totals (over/under) | The combined score lands above or below a line | Low to medium | The final combined score |
| Parlay (accumulator) | Every selection on the slip wins | High | The last leg settles |
| Outright / futures | A team wins a league or tournament | Easy to read, long wait | The competition ends |
How a Handicap Line Settles
Take a hypothetical basketball game with Team A at −5.5 and Team B at +5.5. The half point means a tie on the line is impossible: Team A has to win by 6 or more points to cover.
| Final score | Team A −5.5 | Team B +5.5 |
|---|---|---|
| A 100 – B 90 (A by 10) | Wins | Loses |
| A 98 – B 94 (A by 4) | Loses | Wins |
| A 88 – B 95 (B by 7) | Loses | Wins |
Whole-number lines such as −5 can land exactly on the margin. How that push is settled, often as a returned stake, depends on the operator's rules.
What ₱100 Returns on Each Type
With decimal odds, return = stake × odds. The prices below are examples, not current lines.
| Bet | Example odds | Return on ₱100 | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favourite moneyline | 1.45 | ₱145 | ₱45 |
| Underdog moneyline | 2.75 | ₱275 | ₱175 |
| Handicap, either side | 1.90 | ₱190 | ₱90 |
| Over 210.5 points | 1.90 | ₱190 | ₱90 |
| 3-leg parlay at 1.90 each | 6.86 | ₱686 | ₱586 |
The parlay's bigger number comes with a much smaller chance. If each leg were a genuine coin flip, all three would win only 12.5% of the time (0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5), and the operator's margin on each leg compounds as well.
Totals, Worked Through
Suppose the over/under line is 210.5 and the game finishes 108–99.
- Combined score = 108 + 99 = 207.
- 207 is below 210.5, so Under wins and Over loses.
- A ₱100 Under bet at 1.90 returns ₱190; the Over bet returns nothing.
- Had it finished 112–101, the total of 213 would have made Over the winner.
Matching a Bet Type to What You Know
| If you… | Start with | Avoid at first |
|---|---|---|
| Follow one team closely | Moneyline on their games | Long parlays |
| Understand pace and scoring | Totals | Niche player props |
| Think a favourite is overpriced | Handicap on the underdog | Stacking that same view into parlays |
| Want a season-long interest | A small outright bet | Adding to it after every result |
Placing Your First Slip
- Open and verify an account with a licensed operator; you must be at least 21.
- Open a match and choose one bet type from the tables above.
- Tap the price to add it to the slip, then enter a small stake.
- Check the potential return shown on the slip before confirming.
- Stick to single bets until the settlement rules feel familiar.
Reading a few slips without confirming them is a free way to practise working out returns before any money moves.
The Limits of Any Bet Type
Every market includes an operator margin, which is why the implied chances of all outcomes add up to more than 100%. No bet type, system or tipster removes that. LVJILI is an independent help center; sportsbooks are run by PAGCOR-licensed operators. Set a deposit limit, and take a break whenever betting feels like more than a pastime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest bet type for a first-timer?
The moneyline. You pick who wins, the slip shows the return, and there is no line to work out. It is also the simplest type to check once the match ends.
Why do handicap lines use half points?
A line like −5.5 can never be hit exactly, so the bet always wins or loses. Whole-number lines can end in a push, settled under the operator's rules.
Are parlays a smart way to win more?
They pay more because they are much less likely to win. Each extra leg multiplies both the odds and the operator's margin.
What does over/under 210.5 mean?
You are betting on whether both teams' points added together finish above or below 210.5.
Does overtime count?
It depends on the market and operator. Many basketball markets include overtime, while many football markets settle on regular time only. Check the market rules before betting.
Can I fund sports bets with GCash?
Most operators offering sports accept GCash, Maya, GoTyme or InstaPay transfers. Minimums and processing times vary by operator.