The most happening bet, “Point Spread Betting,” has been running since the 1940s. It is one of the most popular types of bets which are interesting and profitable. It is majorly used in NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, soccer, and Football college games.
So, a beginner at sports betting or a professional, keep reading to learn everything about point spread betting here.
What is Point Spread Betting? ( Easy Explanation)
When two teams face each other in any sport, everyone knows that one team has a better chance to win. The prediction of the winning team is decided by many factors like history of winning, the performance of players, weather, injured players, etc.
The winning team is called “Favorite,” represented by (-). Now, everyone wants to bet on this team. But, honestly, This will make a bet boring, and there will be no excitement.
On the other hand, an “Underdog” team is represented by (+) and has a high chance of losing. As a result, there will be very few or no bettors on this side. So, to force equal action on both sides, the smart oddsmakers add “Point Spread.”
Point Spread means a set number of points, e.g., 3.5, by which the Favorite team must win. If they win by 3.5 or more goals, their bettors will win. On the other hand, the point spread of the Underdog team is +3.5, which means they must lose with three or fewer goals or win the game. If they do so, their bettors will win the bet.
How Does Point Spread Betting Work? (Examples)
Let’s explain how point spread betting works with an easy example.
So, from the above image, it’s clear that Cincinnati Bengals are the underdogs in this NFL clash, and Los Angeles Rams are the Favorites. The spread for Bengals is +6.5 and for Rams is -6.5.
Now, let’s understand both the conditions:
- So, if you’re betting on Cincinnati Bengals, it must either win the game right away or lose by six or fewer points. In both the conditions, you win the bet. The team has to beat the spread by losing six or fewer than 6 points.
- On the other hand, if you’re betting for the Los Angeles Rams, it has to win by more than seven or more points. For example, the score can be 30-23. The difference is -7, and your bet wins and pays out at odds of -104 as listed. If the Los Angeles Rams lose, you’re going to lose the bet.
So, this point spread makes both underdog and favorite chances to have fair opportunities. It makes the game very interesting, and the bettors worldwide love this bet.
What is Covering the Spread?
The professionals and bettors are always heard saying that this team “covered the spread.” The Favorite team covers the spread and beats the underdogs by exact or more spread points. And that means “the team has covered the spread.”
For example, Kansas City Chiefs beat the raider with 30- 10, and the point spread is – 9.5; the “Kansas City Chiefs have covered the spread.”
What is Beating the Spread?
Beating the spread is the opposite of covering the spread, and it’s used for the Underdogs. So, taking the same example as above, if the Raiders lose by six or fewer points, “the Raiders have beat the spread.” So, don’t get confused with both the terms while placing your bets.
Some Important Rules for Point Spread Betting
Here are some rules that can help you what to expect from your bet in any situation:
- If you’re placing a spread bet, the odds you select are locked in, and it will be used to determine your payout. So, if the spread changes during the game, don’t worry, as it will not affect your bet.
- Point spreads majorly include a half number, for example, 4.5, 5.5, 7.5, etc. As a result, the bet doesn’t draw. However, if the point spread is a whole number like 7,6 or 5, there is a chance that the Favorite will win by the exact number presented in the spread. This scenario can lead to “Push”, which means that all money is returned to bettors.
- The penalty shots and overtime are included in the spread betting in the major sports like NHL. But, it may be excluded in major tournaments such as the World Cup, so know these rules beforehand and place the bets wisely.
How do oddsmakers Determine Point Spread?
The oddsmakers have their own latest power rankings and decide the odds smartly. They study every team factor and determine the odds so that both teams have equal weightage in the bet. Some of the important factors they consider are:
- By checking the current form of the teams and players.
- By exploring the history of the team in the current venue.
- Evaluating the injured players
- Studying weather forecast prediction