How to Write a Sportsbook Article

A sportsbook is a gambling establishment that accepts bets on different sporting events. There are many types of bets available, including bets on individual teams and total points scored in a game. In addition to accepting bets, sportsbooks can also offer a variety of other services to their customers. These include online betting, live streaming, and mobile apps.

How Does a Sportsbook Make Money?

A sportbook makes its money by taking a percentage of every bet placed. This amount is called the vigorish, or juice in slang terms. It can be profitable if a sportsbook has a strong margin, but it can also be a drain on the business’s cash flow.

1. Know Your Subject

One of the best ways to hook readers’ interest is with a narrative that appeals to their emotions. A good sports article will tell a story that involves a team’s struggle or triumph. Whether that story is about a team’s first season after losing a key player or the first time they played an opponent who has been favored for years, writing about it with vivid description will help you capture readers’ attention.

2. Use Vivid Language

When writing about sports, it can be tempting to use cliche expressions. Instead, come up with original verbs that capture the action of a game and show the team’s perseverance and skill. These verbs should include words that describe the game’s activity in vivid detail, such as “slam-dunk” for basketball and “scored” for soccer.

3. Be an impartial writer

While sports are about passion and enthusiasm, you should always be an impartial sports writer. That means being accurate with your facts and avoiding silly biases. However, it’s important to let your sports fandom show through in your writing.

4. Start with an Entertaining Lead Paragraph

A great opening paragraph is critical for grabbing the attention of readers. This paragraph should set the tone for the entire piece, and it should be exciting enough to catch the reader’s attention right away.

5. Get the Odds Straight

Regardless of what sport you are writing about, it is essential that you get the odds right. While it may seem easier to write about a team that has been favored for a long time, it is still vital to get the odds as close to accurate as possible. It is also a good idea to compare the odds of two sportsbooks before placing a bet.

6. Create a Human Interest Link

A well-written sports article will connect with the reader through a human interest link. This can be a compelling narrative that appeals to their emotions or an interesting personal anecdote related to the sports you are covering.

7. Choose a Topic You Are Expert on

If you’re a student writing a sports article, make sure you choose a topic that you are knowledgeable about. This will ensure that you’re able to provide accurate and relevant information to your audience.

Fortunately, many of the most popular sports can be covered by students at any level. They are easy to write about, and many have a strong human interest link that can draw in readers’ interests.