How Does Point Spread Work
Understanding how point spreads work is crucial for anyone looking to navigate sports betting. Simply put, the point spread is a way bookmakers level the playing field between two teams, making it equally attractive to bet on either side regardless of the inherent strengths or weaknesses of the competitors.
Point spread betting is betting on how much a team wins or loses in a game. Instead of simply betting on which team will win, you wager on whether a team will win or lose by an exact number of points created by oddsmakers.
The system maintains a game to be exciting even when one team is safely projected to win. The spread provides both teams as viable bets so that action is balanced.
To easily comprehend how spread betting functions, let's consider an example in the case of basketball. Let's say an NBA match-up between the Lakers and the Celtics has a point spread of Lakers -6.5. This means that the Lakers are expected to win by 6.5 points.
If you want to win your wager and pick up the spread, the Lakers must win by at least seven points. If you wager on the Celtics, they don't necessarily have to win the contest; they just need to lose by less than seven points for your bet to pay off.
The .5 is crucial, since it eliminates a tie or a push, when neither will win and the bettors get their initial bet back. There are some spreads that are whole numbers, however, so a push can happen.
Point spreads are calculated by bookmakers to induce equal betting for both sides. They adjust based on various parameters like team performance, player injury, previous record of encounters between the teams, betting pattern of the public, and even weather in outdoor sports.
The intention is always to induce equal betting for both sides so that the bookmaker gains through the juice. If a heavy bet takes place on one side, oddsmakers can move the line to attract bets from the other side. This constant fluctuation maintains equilibrium and lessens risk for books.
Point spread betting is applied most heavily in highly scoring sports like football and basketball. In basketball, specifically in the NBA, point spreads are applied extensively because the game is highly scoring. Point spread betting basketball gives punters a thrill even in games involving open favorites.
For instance, if the Hornets are hosting the Warriors, and the Warriors are -10.5 point favorites, the bettor has a tactical choice. While the Warriors may be very likely to win even money, the question is whether they can cover a eleven-point spread.
College and NFL football also feature mutual use of point spreads. Point spreads add complexity and sophistication to betting options because of uncertainty in scoring as well as changes in momentum. Players must not just determine the winner but also by what margin.
Imagine an NBA game where the Miami Heat are playing the New York Knicks and the Heat are a -4.5 favorite. When you wager on Miami, the Heat must win by five or more points for your wager to be a winner.
If Miami is winning 100-95, they cover the spread, and your bet is a winner. If Miami is winning 100-96, they do not cover, and bets on the Knicks are a winning bet.
These obvious examples show what does a point spread mean, and how it helps bettors comprehend not only who will win, but how much the margin.
See our complete betting toolkit prior to making your next wager.
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