Point Spread Basics at Betting Journey
Point Spread Basics at Betting Journey
Blog Article
The point spread is something that you are going to learn first when you are still new to sports betting. It sounds scary, but once you find out how you do it, you will be able to appreciate that it is one of the most common weapons used in the game of sports betting, more so in basketball and football. The point spread is a mechanism to level the odds for two teams that are not so evenly matched. Instead of just picking who will win the game, you’re betting on the margin of victory. The Betting Journey website covers this and other common betting types to help beginners get comfortable with how these wagers work.
Why the Half-Point Matters
That 5 keeps it from being a tie or push. If the point spread were 7 points tied up and the Cowboys won by 7, nobody would win or lose, but get their money back. The half-point prevents that from happening, requiring a win or a loss on one side or the other.
The Example of Cowboys vs. Giants on How the Point Spread Works
Suppose that the Dallas Cowboys are facing the New York Giants. The spread is also offered by the sportsbook as Cowboys -7.5, Giants +7.5. It shows that the Cowboys are favored to win the game by 7.5 points. For your moneyline bet, when you bet the Cowboys, the Cowboys have to win the game by 8 or more points. But if you place a bet on the Giants, they win the game outright or lose by 7 or fewer, for your bet to be a winner.
The Minus and the Plus
The minus is the favorite, and the plus is the underdog. The next number shown is how many points are deducted from or added to the score for the bet to be a winner.
Odds and the Vig
You'll usually find both sides at even money, for example, -110. That's when you pay 110 and get 100 back, whether on or off the spread. Bookmakers make their income there: it's referred to as the vig or juice.
Why Bettors Like the Point Spread
One reason the point spread is so widely used is that it adds a new angle to watching a game. You’re not just following who wins or loses, but by how much. A match that seems one-sided can turn out to be more interesting when betting outcomes depend on the final score margin. That’s one reason why the Betting Journey website includes guides and tips for understanding point spreads from the start.
Shopping the Line
Shop around. Various sportsbooks will have subtly different printed spreads or odds, and being capable of finding half-point variance may be the difference between winning your bet and losing your bet.
Point spread is also one of the easiest types of betting to comprehend when you have a grasp of the basics. It's used to balance play between unevenly matched teams and offers more possibilities than just choosing the winner. In pursuit of further insight into point spreads or other sport betting, the website Betting Journey offers bite-sized information that will lead you to a place of confidence. Read more to strengthen your understanding and start betting smarter. Report this page