A bet type that commanded a great deal over the course of time is the point spread. It is one of the most wagered types of bets on sportsbooks, especially for the NFL and NBA. Spread betting deals with wagering on the result of a sporting event with a level based on accuracy rather than the basic selection of the matchup winner. It is a form of betting that goes beyond the moneyline. Point spread can be quite difficult to navigate for newbies in sports betting. This article examines the idea of spread betting and how bettors can easily steer around it.
What is Point Spread in Betting?
Point spread is a wager on the margin of victory in a matchup. It is a betting scenario in which bettors determine the difference between the scoring units. The basic motive of spreading a bet is to get the opportunity of wagering on teams or athletes in terms of their relative strength and competitiveness against each other. Point spread is the most popular form of betting in the United States as bettors try to take advantage of the handicap.
In a matchup between two competitors, point spread is the oddsmaker's opinion compared to the best market guesses at the numerical separation. The form of betting is increasingly popular in sports such as football and basketball, both at the professional and collegiate level. Spread betting is also made with some variation in other popular sports like baseball, where it is known as "run line" and hockey, where it is called. "puck line".
How to Read a Point Spread?
In spread betting, sportsbooks set the spread according to their estimated margin of victory. Bettors can therefore choose to cover the spread or underdog's line. In explaining how point spreads are read in a matchup between two opponents, we present a practical example of a football game between fictional "Team A" and "Team B", taking a look into what number and side indicates.
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Team A +1.5 (-110)
Team B -1.5 (-110)
Sportsbooks have closely examined the two teams involved in the contest and concluded that it is most likely that the game will be decided by just one point. Therefore, oddsmakers have assigned the game a handicap of 1.5 points. In this case, there is now what is called a "hook", which is the addition of 0.5 to the number that had been decided earlier as the winning margin. This avoids a "push" where the exact number predicted by the bettor ended up being the actual one. There is no possibility of that happening with half points involved.
Example of Point Spread Betting
Point spread betting can be challenging even for the most experienced handicappers in the betting space. Bettors need to consider the vig when betting on points spread, this is in addition to the basics of making the right call on which side will cover. With the sportsbook having a percentage cut on every wager it takes, the odds at -110 would require bettors to win at a rate of at least 52.4% to beat the juice on a long-term basis in point spread.
This can be really difficult to achieve considering the rate at which wagers are lost in sports betting. Even the most successful long term bettors only win around 60% of their wager. New players aiming to start point spread betting are advised to learn the basics first, before proceeding into real-money wagers. Below are examples of point spread bets in different American sports leagues.
NFL Point Spread Betting
Dallas Cowboys -5.5 (-110)
Carolina Panthers +5.5 (-110)
Cowboys cover the spread with a six points margin or more.
Panthers cover the spread by winning the game or by keeping the margin to less than six points
NBA point spread betting
Cleveland Cavaliers +2.5 (-110)
Golden State Warrior -2.5 (-110)
Cavaliers cover the spread by winning the game or keeping the margin less than three points.
Warriors cover the spread by winning with three points or more.
NCAA Football Point Spread Betting
Oregon Ducks +4.5 (-110)
Michigan Wolverines -4.5 (-110)
Oregon covers the spread by winning the game or keeping the margin less than five points.
Michigan covers the spread by winning with five points or more.
NCAA Basketball Point Spread Betting
Arizona Wildcats +3.5 (-110)
Houston Cougars -3.5 (-110)
Arizona covers the spread by winning the game or keeping the margin less than four points.
Houston covers the spread by winning with four points or more,
The concept of point spread is the same in the NHL and MLB with "puck line" and "run line" set at 1.5 on the norms. In a bet backing the favorite, the team is required to win by two or more goals or run for the wager to be won. On the other hand, the matchup underdog can cover the spread by winning the contest outrightly or losing by a margin not more than one.
Spread Betting FAQs
What is the Purpose of Point Spread?
Among the many sports available to bet on via sportsbooks, there are only few matchups in which the teams involved are equally matched in competitiveness. As a result, the points spread is designed to create a line where there are similar odds covering the spread for each team involved.
What is “Push” in Point Spread?
When a point spread is tied, it is called a push. When the betting line corresponds to the actual outcome, the outcome is regarded as a push. For instance, if a spread is 5 and the favored team wins by 5, that is considered a push. In a situation where push occurs, sportsbooks refund the stake to the bettor.
Can Point Spread Change?
Similar to all other markets in sports betting, point spread is an active market that can witness a change at any time before the start of the game. Sportsbooks alter the line in a spread depending on a number of factors which include injuries, weather, etc.
In What Sports is Point Spread Popular?
Spread betting is increasingly popular in football and basketball, both at the professional and collegiate level. It is also available in baseball as "run line" and "puck line" in hockey.
