How To Bet on the Spread Point Spread Betting at Sportsbooks
Want to learn about the ins and outs of point spread betting? We’ve got you covered. Spread betting is one of the most popular choices among sports bettors, and we want to help you make the most of every spread bet you place.
In this guide, we highlight the fundamentals of reading and understanding point spread betting. Whether you’re a complete beginner looking for basic tips or an experienced bettor seeking advanced strategies, our insights will point you in the right direction.
What is a Point Spread Bet?
A point spread bet involves wagering on the point gap between two teams or players in a sports contest, called the margin of victory. The sportsbook sets a margin (spread), letting you back the favorite or the underdog.
Spread betting is one of the easier forms of sports wagers, second only to moneylines. It also goes by many names based on different sports, including puck line (hockey), run line (baseball), and handicap (soccer).
How Does the Point Spread Work?
Generally, you will find point spread lines and betting odds alongside moneyline and total lines. The screenshot below indicates how point spreads are displayed at online sportsbooks.
In point spread betting, the moneyline favorite is given a virtual deficit to overcome, with the underdog handed a virtual head start. In the example above, the Miami Dolphins are -3.5 favorites. On the other hand, the Jacksonville Jaguars are +3.5 underdogs.
Sportsbooks set point spreads by considering various factors, including team/player statistics, recent form, and head-to-head records. They aim to level the playing field and attract equal betting on both sides.
How You Win a Point Spread Bet
There are two ways to win a point spread bet. First, you can back the favorite to win by the margin set by the sportsbook. If your bet is successful, you’ve “covered the spread.” Second, bets on the underdog win if the underdog wins outright or loses by fewer points than the sportsbook’s margin.
Let’s use the NFL example above to go into more detail.
NFL Point Spread Example:
The Miami Dolphins (-180) are favored to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (+115). The sportsbook has set the point spread at 3.5. Since Miami is the moneyline favorite, they start with a -3.5 deficit. Jacksonville, the underdog, has a +3.5 advantage. With the playing field leveled, both teams are priced at -110.
For the Dolphins to cover the spread, they must win by four points or more. If they won by three points, they would fail to overcome the 3.5 deficit. For bets on the Jaguars to be successful, they must either win the game outright or lose by three points or fewer.
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Basic Point Spread Betting Tips
If you’re ready to start betting on the point spread, look no further. We’ve got spread betting strategies for bettors just starting out. Experienced bettors can also benefit from these tips, but you may want to stick around for our advanced strategies a little later.
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Thorough research increases your chances of predicting point spreads correctly. Focus on team and player statistics, recent trends, and head-to-head records, among other useful metrics.
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Sticking to sports you’re familiar with will help you make more informed decisions. For example, knowing a team’s strengths and weaknesses will enhance your ability to predict the spread.
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A parlay consists of multiple bets, and each bet must win for you to secure the payout. Including point spreads in parlays only complicates matters, so we suggest keeping spread bets as single wagers.
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Setting a budget will help you prevent overspending, letting you enjoy point spread betting long-term. By looking after your bankroll and keeping track of your spending, you can make steady profits.
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Different sportsbooks offer various point spreads, lines, and odds. With that in mind, we recommend shopping around at multiple sportsbooks to find the best possible value for your wager.
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Advanced Point Spread Betting Strategies and Tips
What does the point spread mean in betting? How does the point spread work? These are questions we’ve already answered in this guide. It’s time to share our advanced point spread betting tips. Here are our expert strategies:
Team/Statistical Analysis
Using data to make an analytical pick is one of the best strategies point spread bettors can utilize. When researching the spread, study a team’s ATS (Against the Spread) stats instead of their regular record. This will show you how a team typically fares regarding the spread.
Tracking Market Movements
Sportsbooks constantly change their lines, from the moment they open to the moment they close. Lines move due to multiple factors, including team news, injuries, and even the weather. If you’re planning a point spread bet, keep an eye on the lines and decide the best time to bet.
Value Betting
Understanding sports betting value increases your chances of winning point spread wagers. This involves identifying spread bets where the odds may be higher than the actual probability of the result occurring. Essentially, look for wagers that offer better returns than the odds suggest.
Specialized Bankroll Management Techniques
There are several bankroll management techniques to ensure steady profits over time. These include using 1–2% of your bankroll on each wager, or dividing your bets into units. Consider setting daily, weekly, or monthly limits to avoid overspending too.
Hedging
Hedging your bets lets you cover all possible outcomes. For example, you bet $100 on the Dolphins to cover a -3 spread against the Jaguars. The Dolphins lead by four points in the fourth quarter, so you bet $50 on the Jaguars +4.5. If the Dolphins win, your initial wager is successful. If the Dolphins win by 1–3 points or lose, the hedge bet will limit your losses.
Learn How To Fade the Public
Fading the public involves wagering against the majority opinion. While this often means betting on the underdog, you can use the inflated point spread odds.
Sportsbooks will adjust their point spreads based on the public’s general betting patterns. If you carry out your own research, you can take advantage of the bookies’ skewed lines.
Point Spread Betting — Takeaways
There are many reasons why point spread betting is a hugely popular choice among sports bettors. Spreads level the playing field, making both sides of the bet attractive. They also offer higher odds than many moneyline wagers and strategic betting opportunities.
We have explained the point spread in betting and shared a range of tips to help beginners get started. Moreover, we have revealed a handful of advanced strategies for bettors who want to go further. All that’s left for you to do is place a point spread bet. Good luck!
