The Easiest and Best Sports to Bet On for Beginners
When you’re new to sports betting, deciding the best sport to start your betting journey with can feel like tackling a tricky multiple-choice exam. So many options, yet you’re left wondering which one is the right pick.
The secret to getting off to a great start lies in choosing the right sports – ones that are straightforward, easy to follow, and align with your personal interests.
Picking a sport with clear and beginner-friendly betting markets ensures you won’t be put off and confused before you’ve even placed your first wager.
This guide will walk you through all the essential details about the best sports to bet on for beginners.
By the end, you’ll feel confident about placing your first wager and have a good handle on managing your bankroll while steering clear of common rookie mistakes.
Naturally, your choice of bookmaker will also play a big role in your betting journey.
For a beginner, finding a reliable platform with top-notch odds, a user-friendly interface, an easy sign-up process and rewarding promotions can be a big challenge.
But that’s where we step in to help. We’ve put together a comprehensive review of the best betting sites in Nigeria to save you the hassle.
These platforms are carefully selected for their trustworthiness, fantastic odds, and beginner-friendly bonuses that can give you an edge right from the start.
Be sure to check out our recommended betting sites to find the bookmaker that fits your style and preferences like a glove.
100% Welcome Bonus Up to €100
100% Welcome Bonus Up to €100Best Sports to Bet On for Beginners: Picking the Right Sport
If you’re just getting started, the sport you choose to bet on can make all the difference. Here’s why: the easier the sport is to understand, the easier it will be to predict outcomes and make informed decisions.
But simplicity isn’t the only factor to consider. You’ll also want to choose a sport you’re already familiar with or interested in. It’s much easier to bet on something you understand – knowing the rules, players, and general strategies gives you a big advantage when it comes to making educated guesses.
Lastly, always stick to betting platforms that are reputable and licensed.
This means using platforms such as our recommended betting sites, that are recognised for their security, fairness, and beginner-friendly promotions.
Once you’ve selected a platform, it’s time to explore the best sports for beginners.
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200% Welcome Bonus Up to ₦100.000The Best Sports to Bet On
Let’s now get started on the sports that are perfect for newcomers. These options are chosen for their simplicity, widespread popularity, and beginner-friendly betting markets.
1. Football
It’s no surprise that football tops this list, especially in Nigeria where the sport is a way of life. Nearly everyone has a favourite team or player, and most people already know the rules, making it a natural choice for beginners.
Betting on football is straightforward because the markets are simple and easy to understand. As a beginner, you’ll often encounter bets like:
- Predicting the match winner (home win, away win, or draw).
- Betting on the total number of goals scored in the game.
- Placing a wager on specific events like whether both teams will score.
Furthermore, with a constant flow of matches from global leagues to international tournaments, football ensures there’s always something to bet on.
The best part about betting on football is that Nigeria’s leading betting sites offer extensive betting markets and excellent promotions for football betting.
These range from welcome bonuses to free bets on every league you can think of. You’ll also find accumulator boosts and cashback offers that can maximise your winnings or soften the blow of a losing streak.
One of the most exciting promotions currently available to football bettors in Nigeria is the Betano Aston Villa Travel Promotion.
This promotion gives every Betano customer a chance to win an exclusive all-expenses-paid trip to the UK to watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park in May 2025.
All you have to do is open a Betano account (new customers are also greeted with a massive welcome bonus up to ₦200,000 on their first deposit) and bet on any Aston Villa match (minimum odds of 1.5) between now and February 28, 2025, and you could be one of three lucky winners to emerge from this fantastic promotion.
Betano Aston Villa Travel Promotion: All Expenses Paid Trip to Watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
Betano Aston Villa Travel Promotion: All Expenses Paid Trip to Watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur2. Basketball
If you’re drawn to fast-paced action, basketball is an excellent choice to bet on as a beginner.
While it might not be as popular in Nigeria as football, basketball’s growing popularity especially the NBA and wide availability on the best betting sites make it one of the best sports to bet on for beginners looking to explore something different.
The beauty of basketball lies in its straightforward betting options.
Beginners can start with bets like:
- Predicting the game winner.
- Betting on the point spread, which refers to how much one team will win or lose by.
- Wagering on the total points scored during the game (over/under).
- Betting on player props (bets on players’ stat lines like points, rebounds, assists, blocks etc)
The continuous flow of games, especially during NBA seasons, means you’ll never be short on opportunities to try your hand at basketball betting.
Our article on How to Bet on the NBA is a very handy guide to mastering basketball betting.
Give a boost to your next sports bet
Give a boost to your next sports bet3. Tennis
Tennis is another beginner-friendly sport, loved for its simplicity and exciting one-on-one matches.
Whether you’re watching the Grand Slams or smaller tournaments, the format remains easy to understand.
Tennis betting markets are perfect for newcomers, offering straightforward options like:
- Predicting which player will win a match.
- Betting on the total number of sets or games in a match.
- Wagering on specific outcomes like whether a tiebreak will occur.
One of the reasons tennis is among the best sports to bet on for beginners is that there are only two players in a match. Fewer participants mean fewer variables, making it easier to make predictions compared to team sports.
Explore this beginner’s guide to tennis betting for more tips and strategies to master tennis betting.
4. Baseball
Though not very popular in Nigeria, baseball deserves a spot on this list because of its simplicity and slow pace.
If you’re looking for a sport where you can take your time learning the rules and strategies, baseball is a fantastic option.
Popular betting options for beginners include:
- Picking the winner of a game.
- Betting on the run line, which is similar to the point spread in basketball.
- Wagering on the total number of runs scored in a game.
Baseball’s deliberate pace allows newcomers to follow along without feeling overwhelmed, making it an excellent choice for anyone willing to explore something different.
Predict 6 Scores Win ₦10.000.000
Predict 6 Scores Win ₦10.000.0005. Boxing and MMA
Combat sports are gaining popularity around the world, particularly with sports bettors, with the resurgence of boxing and the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA).
They are perfect for beginners because of their straightforward betting markets. Every fight has a clear outcome: one fighter wins, and the other loses (sometimes bouts also end in draws and you can also bet on that outcome).
When betting on combat sports, you’ll often see markets like:
- Predicting the winner of the fight.
- Betting on the method of victory (knockout, submission, or decision).
- Wagering on the round in which the fight will end.
Because these sports involve only two competitors, they eliminate many of the complexities found in team sports, making them ideal for those just starting out.
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100% WELCOME BONUS UP TO ₦207.500Managing Your Bankroll
Knowing the best sports to begin your betting journey is only half the battle for a newcomer to sports betting. The other half – and arguably the most critical – lies in managing your money effectively.
This is especially crucial for beginners, who are often more vulnerable to the common pitfalls of sports betting such as tilt.
Without proper money management, it’s all too easy to slide down a slippery slope, chasing losses and making impulsive, reckless decisions. These habits can lead to devastating consequences for your finances, turning what should be an enjoyable pastime into a serious problem.
By adopting a disciplined approach to your betting bankroll, you can protect yourself from these risks while ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable experience. This is how to do it:
- Set a Budget: Decide how much money you’re willing to spend on betting each month, and stick to it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
- Avoid Chasing Losses: It’s tempting to increase your bets after a loss to “win it back,” but this can quickly spiral out of control.
- Keep Your Expectations Realistic: Don’t expect to win every bet. Instead, focus on learning and making steady progress over time.
- Diversify Your Bets: Experiment with different sports and betting markets to avoid becoming overly reliant on a single outcome.
110% Welcome Bonus Up to ₦50.000The Easiest and Best Sports to Bet On for Beginners
Sports betting is an exciting way to engage with the games you love, but starting on the right foot is paramount.
By choosing beginner-friendly sports like football, basketball, tennis, baseball, or combat sports, you’ll set yourself up for an enjoyable and successful experience.
Remember, the most important thing is to bet responsibly. Take your time to learn the rules, understand the betting markets, and practice good money management.
For an extra boost, explore the promotions and bonuses offered by the best betting sites in Nigeria – these can be a smart way for beginners to make their first bets without risking their own funds.
