Template.createBetForm.events({
  "submit .create-bet": function(event) {
    var status = "open",
        title = event.target.betTitle.value;
        wager = event.target.betWager.value;
        user = Meteor.user(),
        defender_requested = event.target.defender.value;
        defender = Meteor.users.findOne({ username: defender_requested });

    Bets.insert({
      bettors: [ user.username, defender.username ],
      status: status,
      title: title,
      wager: wager
    });
  }
});

Template.createBetForm.events({
  "submit .create-bet": function(event) {
    var status = "open";
    var title = event.target.betTitle.value;
    var wager = event.target.betWager.value;
    var user = Meteor.user();

    var d_username = event.target.defender.value;
    var defender = Meteor.users.findOne({ username: d_username })

    Bets.insert({
      bettors: [user.username, defender.username],
      status: status,
      title: title,
      wager: wager
    });
  }
})

--- 
+++ 
@@ -1,17 +1,18 @@
 Template.createBetForm.events({
   "submit .create-bet": function(event) {
-    var status = "open",
-        title = event.target.betTitle.value;
-        wager = event.target.betWager.value;
-        user = Meteor.user(),
-        defender_requested = event.target.defender.value;
-        defender = Meteor.users.findOne({ username: defender_requested });
+    var status = "open";
+    var title = event.target.betTitle.value;
+    var wager = event.target.betWager.value;
+    var user = Meteor.user();
+
+    var d_username = event.target.defender.value;
+    var defender = Meteor.users.findOne({ username: d_username })
 
     Bets.insert({
-      bettors: [ user.username, defender.username ],
+      bettors: [user.username, defender.username],
       status: status,
       title: title,
       wager: wager
     });
   }
-});
+})
Create Bet: refactor for code clarity and readability.
