Learn the ins and outs of sports betting

(Family Features) - If you're intrigued by the idea of earning a little extra cash while rooting for your favorite teams, sports betting may be right up your alley. However, betting is a sport in its own right, and competing requires skill and knowledge.

With top tier reporting, free and paid gaming, Yahoo Sports offers sports lovers unique opportunities to immerse themselves in the fan-powered betting experience.

Learn how you can get in on the sports betting scene with these tips from Minty Bets, Yahoo Sports' lead betting reporter and analyst.

Do your research. Before initiating any bets, be sure you understand basics like how to place bets and how your payout is processed. You should also get familiar with the laws about sports betting in your state. Go into your bets well-informed about the predictions and how the teams are performing.

Understand different types of bets. The moneyline bet is one of the simplest wagers in sports betting. You're simply picking whether a team will win or lose. The positive and negative numbers calculate the payout if your team wins. The positive numbers show how much you'll win if you bet on an underdog. The negative numbers show how much you need to bet in order to win with a favorite. 

With totals, or over/unders, you're betting on whether the combined team scores will be over or under a predicted score. Parlays are another type of bet that let you combine multiple bets into one wager to minimize your risk with a maximum payout. The more bets you combine, the bigger the payout; however, if you lose one bet, you lose them all.

Set aside money for betting. Sports betting can become an expensive hobby, and with the unpredictability of the sports world, you can never count on a win. That's why it's important to only place bets with money you can afford to lose. Plan a sports betting amount as part of your regular budget that won't affect your ability to cover your bills or other financial obligations.

Take advantage of easy-to-use tools. For players new to sports betting, there are resources that can help you get up to speed. One example is Yahoo Sportsbook's How-To Guide, which includes information like terminology and how to calculate odds. For example, if you're not sure how your bet might pay out, a tool like the Bet Calculator can help you test different wagers. You can choose the amount you want to bet, select the odds you've been given or test to see the potential payout with the current odds and stake.

Know your limits. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement, so be sure to set a spending limit before you even look at the available bets or odds. Two good rules of thumb are to avoid putting too much into any single game (many experts recommend sticking to 1%-3% of your total budget, 5% being the maximum you should bet) and to limit your bets to sports you know. Betting without any knowledge of the game, the teams or their players' abilities is not a sound strategy.

Take an easy first step. If you're not ready to place a wager, another way to have fun is by playing single-game Daily Fantasy contests, where you can use your sports skills and knowledge to try to win cash and experiential prizes.

Get in on the game with more tips at sports.yahoo.com/sportsbook.

A simple but delicious dinner: Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells

(Family Features) - Why order carryout after a busy day when you can save a few bucks and make a tasty meal at home? We all know that ease and convenience can go a long way toward creating weeknight meals that bring the entire family together, which is why it’s helpful to focus your favorite dishes around main ingredients that simplify dinner routines.

Versatile proteins like veal open many possibilities from decadent, romantic meals to easy and beginner-friendly options. Its flavor is light, making it a blank canvas for discovery by pairing it with different combinations of sauces, spices, cheeses and more.

With veal as your main ingredient like in these Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells, you can have a quick and easy to make dinner perfect for hectic weeknights that you and your family will enjoy. Requiring just over half an hour in the kitchen, load jumbo pasta shells with taco-flavored ground veal and melted cream cheese topped with your favorite taco sauce to make even your midweek meals special.

Try this exciting mouthwatering recipe to add to your regular family menu while also providing nutrition; a 3-ounce serving of veal includes 27 grams of protein, which is more than half of the daily value for a 2,000-calorie diet.

Want to give this recipe a little extra kick? Dice a medium size jalapeno pepper and garnish shells after baking.

Discover more quick and easy recipe ideas at Veal.org, funded by Beef Farmers and Ranchers.

Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

1 pound ground veal
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced poblano pepper
1 package (1 1/4 ounces) taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
4 ounces cream cheese
2 cups shredded colby jack cheese, divided
20 jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 cup taco sauce

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground veal, diced onion and diced pepper until meat is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes.

Stir in taco seasoning and water.

Break cream cheese into chunks and add to skillet; simmer 3-4 minutes, or until cream cheese melts into veal mixture.

Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup colby jack cheese; stir to combine.

Bring large pot of salted water to boil and add pasta shells. Cook according to package directions and drain.

Immediately separate shells on plate to avoid sticking together.

Pour salsa into 13-by-9-inch baking dish and spread to cover bottom.

Fill each pasta shell with 1-2 tablespoons veal mixture and place in baking dish.

Top stuffed shells with taco sauce and sprinkle remaining colby jack cheese on top.

Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and shells are heated through.