In sports betting, the point spread (aka the handicap) is a number that indicates the amount of points or goals by which a team should win or lose and this figure is set by bookmakers before each match.
Being simple to comprehend and often lucrative when done correctly, it is one of the most popular kinds of sports bets.
How to Start Point Spread Betting
Spread bets, often put on sports such as football and basketball are a very popular type of wager, with which you are essentially betting on the margin of victory for a specific team. The favorite will have a negative number (-) next to their name, while the underdog will have a positive number (+). The figure indicates how many points the team is expected to win or lose by.
What is the Point Spread in Basketball?
In basketball, the point spread is typically set at ten points. This implies that if one team scores more than 10 points, it will win the game; but if one team scores fewer than 10 points, it will lose the game.
The average bookmaker point spread is generally plus-or-minus three points. The spread depends on the bookmaker, and it may differ from game to game. Based on both teams’ records and how many points they’ve scored in previous games, the point spread will fluctuate. Other factors such as the venue of the match are also taken into account, as previously mentioned regards playing ‘at home’ being a significant advantage.
An Example in NBA
Lets take Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat with a spread of 10 points as an example. This suggests that if the Lakers triumph by more than ten points, they will cover the spread, while if they lose by less than 10 points, they will not. If the Lakers win by exactly 10 points (a push), no one wins or loses.
What is the Point Spread in Football?
Point spread betting is by far the most popular way to bet on football games, as it levels the playing field and allows bets on either team without having to worry about who will win. There are other kinds of bet such as moneyline and total betting although they are less popular.
What Does -110 Mean Next to the Spread?
The most frequent sports betting odds are +110. If you wager $110 on an event with -110 odds, you’ll win $100 if your guess is correct.
Essentially, this is the most common approach to figure out how much you’ll need to wager in order to win a specific amount. It’s also worth noting that bookmakers have an advantage when utilizing this sort of odds, which is why they are so popular among sportsbooks.
What is the 3-Way Spread
In a three-way spread, the oddsmaker will establish a line that includes two additional outcomes in addition to the basic win/loss alternatives. The betting line on this sort of wager is usually set at -110, which means bettors would have to wager $110 to win $100.
In a three-way bet, bettors can choose to wager on one team winning outright or for either team to win by a different margin. This type of punt allows bettors more alternatives and frequently results in better odds.
What is Alternative Point Spread 2-Way
A variation on this theme is where the spread (or handicap) is set at a different figure than usual, often due to there being no clear favourite. In order to stimulate more betting on either team, the sports book may establish an alternative point spread in this scenario.
Let’s imagine that a typical point spread of 7 points is in effect for an NFL game between Team A and Team B. Because both teams are so evenly matched, the sports book decides to use an alternative point spread of 5 points. This implies that if you back Team A, they must win by at least 5 points; likewise, if you back Team B, they must lose by less than 5 points.
How to Calculate a Point Spread Payout?
In essence, the payout is calculated based on the chances of the point spread and whether or not the wager wins or loses. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for calculating such a payout:
1. Determine the Odds of the Bet
The chances will be one of two things: negative or positive, and they are almost always stated as a number followed by a plus or minus sign. If the spread is -6.5, for example, the odds are 6.5-to-1 against the underdog winning by more than six points. If the point spread is +6.5, on the other hand, the odds favor the favorite to win by more than six points (i.e.6.5-to-1).
2. Multiply the Odds by the Amount Bet
If the favorite wins by more than six points, for example, a bettor who bets $100 on a -6.5 point spread will receive $650 (as before). If the underdog wins or the game ends in a tie, on the other hand, the bettor will lose their $100 wager.
3. Add the Original Bet to the Payout
It’s the amount bettors win if they correctly predicted the point spread. In our example, $100 + $650 = $750. The amount of money paid out to bettors if they win their point spread wager is $750.
Keep in mind that these payouts will differ from book to book. Before making your wager, make sure you’re getting the best odds available.
Why Does the Point Spread Change?
The spread shifts as the public’s perception of each team’s relative strengths and weaknesses changes.
There are a number of reasons this may happen. For example, if a team is expected to win its next game by a significant margin, the point spread will most likely rise. However, it will likely decrease if a team is thought to be less powerful than previously believed. Many factors may influence public perception, including media reports and social media posts about a team’s recent performance.
What Does «Against the Spread» Mean?
This phrase is most often employed in the context of betting, where it refers to a bet in which the player bets that a certain team will win by more than a set amount.
If a team is expected to win by seven points or fewer, it becomes the underdog. For example, if two football teams are competing against each other and one is expected to win by seven points, the opponent would be considered the underdog. If you bet on the favorite to win “against the spread,” you’ll need them to score more than seven points in order for your wager to pay off. On the other hand, if you bet on the underdog, you’ll need them to either defeat outright or lose by less than seven points for your wager to succeed.
The spread betting is often considered a more difficult path to wager on sports since predicting the margin of victory for a certain squad might be tough. It can, however, be more rewarding than simply betting on which team will win or lose outright, as the odds are typically greater in favor of the bettor.
Point Spread Betting Responsibly
This kind of bet is simply a method for bookmakers to generate betting interest on both sides of a game. Correctly predicting which team will cover the spread more often than not is necessary in order for a punter to make money off point spread betting.
Finding value in the oddsmaker-established lines is critical to being successful with spreads. This might be done by browsing for the best odds, researching the pairings and patterns, and drawing on and inside knowledge you may have.
It is critical to manage your bankroll carefully while point spread betting. Only wager a sum of money that you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. If you follow these simple rules, point spread betting may be a fun and lucrative way to enjoy your favorite sports.
Point Spread Betting FAQs
How do I place a point spread bet?
To place a bet, you simply choose a team that you think will win or cover the point spread and then place your bet.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is a bet on which team will win a game outright. There is no point spread to worry about, so the favored team only needs to win the game for bettors who choose them to win their bets.
Can I bet on the point spread and the moneyline at the same time?
Yes! This is called a parlay bet. A parlay bet is a bet that combines two or more bets into one. If you parlayed the point spread and moneyline, you would need both the favorite and underdog to win their respective bets in order for you to win your parlay bet.
What happens if the game ends in a tie?
If the game ends in a tie, then it is considered a push. A push means that no one wins or loses the bet, and all money is refunded to those who bet on the game.
What does -2 point spread mean in basketball?
The -2 point spread means that the favored team is expected to win by 2 points. If you bet on the favored team, they must win by more than 2 points for you to win your bet. If you bet on the underdog, they can lose by up to 2 points and still win your bet.