Point Spread Explained

When it comes to sports betting, the point spread is usually the most common and popular bet among gamblers. The purpose the point spread serves is to level the playing field between two teams by means of a handicap from the oddsmakers who set the lines.

The point spread differs from the moneyline because the moneyline is simply picking who you think will win the game outright, while the point spread adds or deducts points from each team, depending if they’re the favorite or underdog, so you simple need to win the adjusted final score with the handicap taken into account with the score. This is the only way to ensure an even playing field among two unevenly matched teams. Professional sports aims for parity in their leagues as it’s good for business and adds to the overall entertainment of the sport, but the fact is that there’s plenty of sports that lack parity. That’s why so many dynasties in sports grow over the years like the New England Patriots with Tom Brady, the 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers teams, and the Yankees and Red Sox in baseball. So to even the two teams up, the sportsbooks implement a handicap.

For example, if the Mavericks are -6 points vs the Lakers. That means the oddsmakers think that the Mavericks are better by 6 points. So if you take the Mavericks -6 point spread, that means in order for you to win your wager the Mavericks must win by 7 or more points. If they win by 6, then the game is a push and you get your money back. This doesn’t include the “juice” or “vig” fee that each player pays to the sportsbook for every wager placed.

Spread Meaning Betting for NFL vs College Basketball

Spreads may look a little different when you are logged into a sportsbook trying to place a wager. In the NFL you will see something called a Moneyline which means the team that will win straight up. In MLB it will be called the Runline and in Hockey you will find that the NHL calls it the “Puckline”. When it comes to spreads that is the handicap we discussed above in the Mavericks example. Each game will have a spread and a vigorish amount which typically is -110 so thats a 10% tax you pay if you win to the sportsbook. That’s the easiest way to explain it in layman terms. If you want a more in depth discussion on point spreads we ask that you connect with an analyst who can teach you how to wager on sports.

Betting on the point spread is tougher to win considering that it levels the playing field, however the payout is also larger compared to that of the money line. Our own Jon Price has made most of his fortune off of betting on the point spread in all four of the major American sports. Knowing how to read a line and predict who is going to come to play that night and hold up their side of the game is what separates losing sports bettors from the successful winning ones. It takes time and resources to put the right kind of team on your side to help you with delivering winners against the point spread on a daily basis. Now is your chance to join a proven winner against the spread, Jon Price and our team here at Sports Information Traders. Sign up today on our homepage and let us help you start winning tonight!