Point Spread Betting

Point Spread Betting Explained

Point spread markets allow bookmakers to make two uneven teams equal by handicapping the stronger and helping the weaker side with the same number of points, also known as the spread. The spread illustrates the difference in quality between the two competing teams. So, when you place a point spread bet, you predict whether the stronger team will cover the spread or if the other team will benefit from the points advantage given by the bookmaker.

Let's use an example from American Football, a sport particularly popular among point spread bettors, to illustrate how this betting market works. Let's say the Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) are playing against the Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5). As you can see, if you back the Chiefs to win, they will have to triumph by at least a four-point margin of victory. On the other hand, if you are betting on the Bengals, even a defeat by three points won't affect your bet, and you will win your wager.

Potential Outcomes of The Point Spread Bet

In the dynamic world of point spread betting, there are 3 possible outcomes: win, lose or push. Understanding the outcomes is key to navigating this exciting space where they define the experience.

• Win: When your chosen team covers the spread, it's a straightforward win. Enjoy collecting your payout without any complications.
• Lose: Experiencing a loss is part of the sports betting game. Take it in stride and remember that losses happen. Just know that a loss means forfeiting your initial wager if your team doesn't cover the spread.
• Push: Sometimes, a push is a possibility. Sportsbooks often use spreads with half points (like -3.5 or +8.5), but occasionally, they set whole number spreads such as -8 or +14. When these whole number spreads come into play and the team's performance aligns exactly with the set spread, a push can occur.

Let's look at an example from basketball betting, to help you better understand the potential outcomes of the point spread bet. For instance, if you are thinking about betting on the match between the Denver Nuggets (-8.5) and the Los Angeles Clippers (+8.5), you will have two options. You can either back the Nuggets to cover the spread and win by at least nine points or you can go with the Clippers and hope they won't lose by more than eight points. These are the potential scenarios that can happen:

• If the Denver Nuggets win 109-100, they have covered the spread (-8.5 points), and they are the winning bet;
• If the Denver Nuggets win 109-102, they haven't covered the spread despite winning. In this case, the Los Angeles Clippers are the winning point spread bet;
• Lastly, if the Los Angeles Clippers win by any margin of victory, for instance, 110-109, they are logically the winning bet again.

As you can see, the extra half point in both examples ensures that point spread bets are 2-way and not 3-way betting markets. In other words, the chance of a draw or tie is removed, reducing the number of possible outcomes from three to two.

Point Spread Betting Examples

You can place point spread bets on various sports, but essentially the sports betting market is more or less the same. The only difference is the size of the spread and the number of alternative point spread betting markets. Let's look at the most popular types of point spread bets and the sports that offer these betting options.

NBA Point Spreads

When it comes to the number of point spread betting options, the Euroleague, college basketball and, of course, the NBA offer the most wagering alternatives. If you join a betting site from the list of top-quality bookmakers featured at Betpack, you can get 20 or even 30 different point spread options for the same match.

Please note, that the betting odds will be different depending on the point spread you pick, but the fact you can choose from so many basketball betting alternatives allows you to wager on exactly the point spread you had in mind.

Let's explain this with an example. Imagine the LA Lakers (+7.5) are playing the Golden State Warriors (-7.5). The 7.5-point spread makes the two teams evenly matched, also resulting in the same decimal odds for both sides, usually around 1.90.

However, in addition to this point spread, the bookmaker will also give you a lot of alternative point spread betting markets, such as:

• LA Lakers (+5.5) vs Golden State Warriors (-5.5)
• LA Lakers (+6.5) vs Golden State Warriors (-6.5)
• LA Lakers (+8.5) vs Golden State Warriors (-8.5)
• LA Lakers (+9.5) vs Golden State Warriors (-9.5)

The above example clearly illustrates that with so many options available to you, your chances of finding the right point spread favorite or underdog dramatically increase. At Betpack, we always tell you that the more betting options available, the bigger the probability you might win. The wide range of point spreads in basketball is a great example of that.

NFL Point Spread Betting Markets

NFL games and college football matches come with many sports betting markets that you can choose from. Point spreads are probably the most popular ones. Unlike basketball betting though, there are fewer NFL point spread options.

However, that's not because sportsbooks have something against NFL bettors. Instead, it is the nature of the game. For instance, a touchdown is worth six points, and a field goal is worth three. So, there are fewer options for point spread bets compared to basketball where there is a wider range of winning margins.

One of the most common margins of victory in the NFL is seven points. Therefore, you will frequently see point spread options such as Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) vs Seattle Seahawks (+6.5). In this example, the Chiefs have to finish the match with at least a seven-point winning margin, while the Seahawks can lose by six and still be the winning bet in this NFL game.

Run Lines in Baseball

Point spread bets are called run lines in baseball. When you are placing a run line bet, you can expect to see a situation such as the following one. The Detroit Tigers (+1.5) are playing the Baltimore Orioles (-1.5), and the expected margin of victory is two runs. That means the Orioles will have to win by two runs for you to have a winning ticket. On the other hand, if you are predicting that the Detroit Tigers are the winning bet, they will have to win or lose by a maximum of one run.

As with the other sports listed here, run line betting is super popular in baseball and sports bettors often choose it over moneyline bets. As you might know, when betting on a baseball money line, you predict which of the two teams will win but without the runs handicap i.e. you are wagering on the final score of the match and don't have to worry about your team covering the spread or not.

Puck Lines in Ice Hockey

Puck lines are the point spread variant that you can select when betting on ice hockey. With a puck line bet, much like all other point spreads, you predict that one of the teams will cover the spread or back the underdog to benefit from the puck line advantage.

For example, if the Dallas Stars (+1.5) play the Montreal Canadiens (-1.5), there are two possible winning point spread bets in this 2-way market. First, the Dallas Stars can win or lose by a maximum of one goal, while the Montreal Canadiens have a spread to cover, meaning they have to win by two goals to be the winning puck line.

Conclusion

Point spread bets are super popular with bettors. And for good reason. With point spreads, you can bet on sure-to-win favourites and still get good odds. Of course, your team will need to cover the spread, but that is often a risk worth taking. Since underdogs get a points advantage, they are also a good choice.

As with most bet types, it is crucial to do your research and analyze all wagers before placing them. Using a proven strategy can also go a long way while checking out the betting tips at Betpack is of crucial importance too. So, find a top sportsbook and locate the sporting event you will bet on. Place your point spread bet with Betpack's help and hope your team wins!