The concept of betting on the spread, also known as betting the line, is one of the most popular forms of sports betting among gamblers in the US. Predominately found in sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB, betting on the spread allows punters to try and capitalize on discrepancies in the offered betting lines. With a little bit of luck and a proper understanding of the sport, betting on the spread can be an excellent way to maximize winnings.
What is betting on the spread?
In essence, “betting on the spread” is when you wager on the difference between two teams odds. It is known as the spread, and here’s how it works:
- The two participating teams will have a moneyline assigned to them. This is a base game line that gives a team’s odds of winning.
- Betting the spread involves looking at the difference between both teams’ moneylines. This number is known as the spread.
When betting on the spread, you don’t bet for either team, but rather for the spread itself. For example, if Team A has a moneyline of -150 and Team B has a moneyline of +150, the spread between the two teams would be +300.
Types of Spread Bets
Betting on the spread can involve different types of wagers. The two main bet types when betting the spread are single point spread and double point spread.
- Single Point Spread: With a single point spread, a gambler predicts the exact spread needed to be won. This is the most common type of bet and can be placed on almost any type of sport. For example, if Team A has a moneyline of -150 and Team B has a moneyline +150, the wager placed would be on the spread to be +3. If the spread ended up to be more than +3, Team A would be the winner, and if the spread ended up to be less than +3, Team B would be the winner.
- Double Point Spread: With double point spread, a gambler predicts the combined spread of both teams. This type of bet is used primarily in sports like NFL, NBA and MLB where point spreads are much larger. In this example, the gambler would be betting that the combined spread of the two teams will exceed a given value. For example, if Team A has a moneyline of -310 and Team B has a moneyline +340, the wager placed would be on the combined spread to be greater than +651. If the combined spread ended up to be more than +651, Team A would be the winner, and if the combined spread ended up to be less than +651, Team B would be the winner.
Benefits of Betting on the Spread
Betting on the spread offers various advantages. Here are some of the biggest benefits you can expect when betting on the spread:
- The first advantage of betting on the spread is that it is considered to be a much safer form of sports betting than other forms. Because the spread covers the expected margin of victory, it increases the chances of a bettor correctly predicting a winning team. This makes it one of the least riskier propositions in sports betting.
- Another advantage of betting on the spread is its simplicity. Unlike other types of sports bets which require more numerical calculations, betting on the spread is straightforward and can be understood easily by anyone.
- Finally, betting on the spread can be incredibly profitable in the long run. By predicting the spreads correctly, a bettor can make a huge profit over time.
Conclusion
Betting on the spread is an exciting and profitable way to wager in the US. With the right strategy and proper understanding of the sport, it can be a great way to maximize winnings and make a significant profit.
How do you calculate the spread in sports betting?
To calculate the spread in sports betting you take the total number of points expected to be scored and subtract the point spread. The result is the spread your bet is based on. For example, if the total number of points scored is 45, and the point spread is -5, the spread would be 40. This means you would win the wager if the total number of points scored is greater than 40.