Point Spread Betting Explained: Complete Guide & Strategies

With no point spread assigned to the NFL game, bettors are wagering on one of the teams to win outright. The favorite in a point spread wager gets points subtracted from its final score. The favorite’s spread betting line is denoted by a minus sign in front of the spread. Understanding the point spread is fundamental to becoming a savvy bettor. It’s not just about who wins — it’s about understanding context, timing, and value. By paying attention to key numbers, line shifts, and situational edges, you’ll put yourself in a stronger position to profit over time.

MLB point spread

This reflects travel fatigue for the away team and the familiarity of playing on home turf. One common term you may read or hear is the “negative point spread”. This simply refers to the minus next to a team’s name, which indicates the favorite. The point spread is calculated to essentially even out the odds of two opposing teams. So if you set aside $1,000 to gamble with for a football season, a wise guy will tell you that your individual bets should roughly range from $20 to $50 a game.

Point spread betting is one of the most popular betting types among new and experienced bettors. Also referred to as spread betting, it’s a form of handicapping that levels the playing field between two teams. Yet, games with teams of similar strength might have smaller spreads. When betting, things like team performance and injuries can change everything. NFL point spread betting represents the perfect intersection of skill, strategy, and excitement in sports wagering.

How spread betting works is about overcoming the spread and dealing with risks like player injuries, weather changes, and poor player performance. Point spread betting is recognized as the most popular method for wagering on NFL games, offering an alternative to traditional win-or-lose bets. Instead of simply picking which team will win, bettors can engage with football odds by predicting how many points a team will win or lose by. There are many reasons why point spread betting is a hugely popular choice among sports bettors. Spreads level the playing field, making both sides of the bet attractive.

• Spread betting serves to level the playing field between stronger and weaker teams, balancing the odds markets.
• In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020.
• So instead of wagering -3, you’d want to bet on favorites at -2.5 and underdogs at +3.5, lest your wager push.

In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards. In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020.

The majority of NFL games (both AFC and NFC) have a perceived favorite, and without the addition of a spread, the bets would be one-sided. In spread betting, the favorite has to win by a certain number of points for the bettors who pick them to cash in. On the other hand, the underdog ‘gets’ points, meaning that bettors who back them will see a profit even if they lose, so long as it’s by less than the spread. Most major team sports have a form of point spread betting, including basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and mixed martial arts. Betting on gut instinct is rarely a good idea, as oddsmakers and sportsbooks make point spread betting lines razor sharp.

The spread balances the betting environment, no matter the teams’ strengths. Many professional bettors develop their own statistical models or use subscription services that provide advanced analytics and betting recommendations. While these tools can be valuable, remember that no system guarantees success, and proper bankroll management remains paramount.

NFL Against the Spread (ATS) Betting

Most major online sportsbooks such as DraftKings, bet365, and Fanatics all offer NFL spread betting options. To get started, all you need to do is a claim a football betting promo code at one of these sports betting sites or apps. The DraftKings promo code is excellent with a great welcome offer for new users. A spread bet involves wagering on the margin of victory, while a moneyline bet is simply betting on which team will win the game outright.

Just pinup about any sports involving matchups between two teams offer points spread betting. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer all offer point spread betting opportunities. Points spreads are good bets to wager on, especially in the case where a game features a heavy mismatch.

In football, the most common ways to score points are field goals (three points), touchdowns (six points), and the point-after-attempt from touchdowns, which results in seven points total. Get bigger odds and bigger returns – learn how to make the most of parlays. For example, let’s say the Los Angeles Lakers are a -3 favorite vs the Celtics.

With point spreads, the spread tells you how many points a team needs to win by, while the vigorish tells you how much money you actually win if that bet cashes. So be sure to consult all the sportsbooks in which you have playable funds to ensure the most lucrative payout and most favorable spread. Keeping within a budget is always important, especially while learning the ropes of spread betting. For example, if the New England Patriots are 6.5-point favorites against the New York Jets, but the Pats win by four points, then the Jets cover the spread.

If the Steelers win the game outright, then Pittsburgh bettors also win on the point spread. The Bengals need to win by seven points or more to cover the spread, and allow Bengals bettors to cash in on the point spread. In point spread betting, the moneyline favorite is given a virtual deficit to overcome, with the underdog handed a virtual head start.