Betting Against the Spread – What to Consider
A Point Spread (Spread) is the total margin of victory a team is expected to win by. The Point Spread is also called the Line. So, when making a bet:
- How do you know which side to bet?
- Is the winning team going to win by more than the established Spread?
- Or will the losing team cover the Spread and lose by less than the Spread?
Betting Against the Spread – A Little More to Consider
- What is a Spread?
First, you need to understand that Spreads are a handicap to make game outcomes even out. The goal is to make the Spread enticing enough to have equal bets on both sides. For example, Ohio State should always beat Temple 95% of the time. So, betting on the winner like a money line is not exciting. The real question is, how many will Ohio State win by? - How are Spreads Created?
Lines are set by pro’s the Sunday night of the week. The lines are then opened to the pros to begin placing their bets. The lines then adjust according to how the pros bet and opened to the public. Spread lines can shift as much as 2 to 3 points or more. - What Affects the Spread?
Many factors Affect the Spread. Here are a few:- If there is an injury to a QB (The game may even come off the board.)
- Weather
- Player Suspensions
- Uneven Betting
- What about Uneven Betting?
Sportsbooks shift the lines so that even betting takes place on both sides of the lines. Sportsbooks make a 10% juice on every bet they take. Thus, they want to pay out 50/50 action so they don’t get upside down.
The Point Spread
Points spreads seem simple but play a significant role in betting. This is why it is crucial to understand how Point Spreads work. Sign up today, and let us navigate all the points spread for you. Also, we have no affiliation with a sportsbook like some big boys with three-letter acronyms, making our picks unbiased.
