Expert strategies for successful betting on major leagues in 2025: 6 smart betting tips

The top leagues are the best events to bet on because there's often lots of markets covered, deeper lines, and the most competitive odds. They also offer the most exciting matchups that are just as fun to bet on as they are to watch.

Unsurprisingly, this is where the bulk of the betting handle goes. But before you join the flock of bettors taking a chance on major sports events, you should know how to increase your chances of winning.

This article will cover six of the smartest betting strategies when wagering top sports leagues.

Understand the sport

Whether it's the NFL, NBA, NHL, or other top leagues, you can only make smart nets if you are well-versed in the sport and its rules. It's best to start betting on a sport you're already a fan of and only venture into new ones once you've gotten familiar with them.

Bet with top bookies

The best sportsbooks offer the best betting experience from the markets to the odds, betting features, and more. Operators like BetMGM are also very generous with bonuses and offer up to $1,500 in refunded bets, according to SportyTrader. You must sign up at BetMGM using a promo code in order to claim the welcome bonus.

Be careful with heavy favorites

Many betting analysts will tell you it's a good idea to bet with the crowd, but that's not always the case with top league events. History has shown that heavy favorites in a highly anticipated match can easily disappoint. Rather than going for an outright win with the moneyline bet, you may want to bet on the spread instead. And if you find value (when the betting odds are too big based on the probability of a selection winning) in the underdog, don't be scared to take it.

Focus on non-traditional markets

The moneyline is the most common betting market, but odds on these bets don't usually hold the best value, especially in top leagues. Spreads and over/under totals are better options since they have more lines and offer greater leeway for decision making. You'll may find even more favorable odds on unconventional bets like game and player props, halftime results, etc.

Do lots of research

This is a strategy as old as sports betting itself. Research is your only chance at beating the bookie, especially in top leagues where oddsmakers devote their attention to keeping the odds sharp. You should read up on team news, player stats, injury reports and more. Find information that the bookmaker may have overlooked, and you'll likely discover some overpriced odds that you can take advantage of.

Make in-play betting your friend

Winning in sports betting is all about maximizing your chances, but bookies devote their attention to keeping the odds sharp across major leagues. Live betting opens up opportunities to get valuable odds as the momentum shifts during the game. With live betting features like cashout, you can also increase your chances of winning.

It's important to have a coherent betting strategy when betting on sports. And with major sports leagues it's even more pertinent to go in with a solid strategy. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, these tips will prove very useful in upping your betting game.