Point Spread Betting Guide
One general truth about the sporting world is that all teams are not equal; neither in strength nor skill. Yet, games must go on. And most times we can predict who the winner of the match will be by simply sizing up the competing teams. The team with the most strength, skill, and experience usually comes out on top.
Since sporting events are all about fairness, this situation creates an imbalance, where one team has more advantage over another. But thanks to oddsmakers, This issue has been resolved with the introduction of Point Spread at sportsbooks. Keep reading for we have so much more to unveil.
- Enrico
What Is A Point Spread?
This is a sports betting number that has been provided by oddsmakers to work as a handicap between two opposing teams. Point Spread betting has become important because some teams are better skilled than others, and therefore, there’s a need for a level playing field for all participants.
Point Spread has now become mainstream and is now featured in sports conversations. Even in the gambling industry, sportsbooks have adopted Point Spread as the perfect equalizer where teams are concerned.
The bet type has already found usage in college football and NFL betting, as well as NBA and NCAA basketball. In certain sports, Point Spread goes by other names. For instance, it is referred to as the run line in baseball and the puck line in hockey.
How To Interpret A Point Spread
Let’s draw inspiration from the spread points of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, two competing teams at the Super Bowl LIV.
- Kansas City Chiefs: (-1.5; -110)
- San Francisco 49ers: (+1.5; -110)
Going by their respective odds, we can tell that the Kansas City Chiefs are the favoured side. In case you don’t know how we arrived at this conclusion, a look at the signs in front of the spreads explains that. The favourite to win is the team with the minus sign (-) before their spread, while the one with a plus sign (+) in front of their spread is the underdog.
With a 1.5 spread, Kansas City Chiefs were the team expected to win the. Super Bowl. All they needed for a win was two or more points which would be sufficient to cover the spread. On the other side, with a 1.5-point underdog, the San Francisco 49ers didn’t need many points to cover the spread. They could have simply won the game or even lost a point and still satisfied the spread.
However, like most favourites, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl 31-20. The 11 points difference surpassed the -1.5-point spread, and so covered the spread.
How To Bet Against The Point Spread
If you decide to use this type of bet, there are two things you must decide. The first is to figure out the team that has the best chance of covering the spread. The second is the best time to place the bet; right away or at a later time.
The second decision exists because spreads are not set in stone; they are subject to change. You need time to observe and understand it and to also know how much you will win from it.
Which Team Will Cover The Spread?
As we mentioned above, your first line of action is to determine which team you believe can cover the spread. Do you prefer to bet on the favourite team to win or will you rather bet on the underdog?
Why does the point spread change?
One thing that you must know about point spread is that it behaves just like any other sports betting market. Meaning that it is always active. Oddsmakers reserve the right to alter the spread based on different reasons, such as:
- The team that’s attracting the most wagers from professional bettors
- The amount of money each side of the spread receives.
- Events that will affect the game (climatic conditions, injuries, etc.)
What does -110 mean?
To use point spread successfully, you must understand the relationship between odds and point spread betting. Remember our Super Bowl example in the previous sections? Recall that both spreads had a -110 attached to them. That’s what’s referred to as the juice or vig (short for vigorish).
That’s how much the sportsbook requires from players before they can bet into this market. If you play poker, “the juice” has the same function as “the rake”. Having a vig of -110, you’re simply being told to wager $110 for a chance to win $100.
How Much Can I Win?
Two main factors determine how much a punter can make from point spread betting. They include:
- The amount of money you’re putting on the line
- The odds you met at the time of placing your stake
As we already established, a game with -110 odds means that you need to be $110 to win $100. The same rule applies for -120 odds. Here you will wager $120 to win $100.
Conclusion
Due to the benefits afforded by the point spread, it has become popular in the gambling community and has also become a necessary tool for punters. Sports betting can be quite profitable if players know how to combine the best betting options with the best odds whenever they want to place a bet.
We’ve provided you with one of the most effective gambling betting tools on the market known as the point spread. Feel free to give it a try and see how much change it will bring to your sports betting. We are sure, with enough practice, and a little bit of luck, you too can earn a great reward!
FAQ
The Point Spread is a sports betting number that has been provided by oddsmakers to work as a handicap between two opposing teams.
To bet against the Point Spread, you should first figure out the team that has the best chance of covering the spread. The second is the best time to place the bet; right away or at a later time.