Point spread betting is the most popular bet type among sports bettors wagering on the NFL odds and NBA odds at the nation’s best sportsbooks.
As opposed to moneyline betting, where you simply pick the team that will win a game, point spread betting enables you to wager on the margin of victory in a game. In addition to being very popular among football and basketball bettors, point spread betting is also offered in the MLB odds and NHL odds, where it is commonly known as the run line and puck line, respectively.
If you have done your homework, you will be better equipped to spot value among the opening point spreads before the line moves due to public betting.
What is point spread betting?
Point spread betting gives you the chance to wager on how many points a team will in or lose by in a game. While moneyline betting lets you to wager on which team will win outright, the point spread acts as a great equalizer, particularly in games where one team holds a big competitive advantage. This enables you to make bets with close to even odd on events where making a moneyline bet on the underdog would otherwise be prohibitive.
How to place a point spread bet
Placing a point spread bet is easy and can be done in a matter of minutes using the best sportsbook apps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to place a point spread bet.
Once you have opened a new sportsbook account and taken advantage of the lucrative welcome offers that can set you up with hundreds in bonus bets at the best sportsbooks, download and install the Android or iOS app for the sportsbook of your choice. For this example, we are using the DraftKings app.
Step 1: Find your market
Navigate to the sports betting market of your choice, where you will find a complete list of odds for all upcoming games. While you can wager on NFL and college basketball odds, this example focuses on an NBA matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
Step 2: Scan the spreads
Once you have identified your preferred game, tap on the point spread you wish to wager on.
Step 3: Take a look at your bet slip
When you have completed your selection, tap on Bet Slip to complete the process. You will be brought to a new screen, where you can determine the stake of your point spread bet. Or, if you are wagering on two or more games, decided if you wish to make it a parlay bet or teaser bet.
Once you have determined your bet type and the size of your stake, you can review the size of your potential payout and lock in your wager by tapping on Place Bet.
Risks of point spread betting
Like with any bet type, point spread betting comes with risk. The most obvious risk for sports bettors betting the spread is the possibility of the team you have wagered on not scoring enough points to “cover the spread” and earn you a payout.
In addition, the dynamic nature of point spreads means you can be vulnerable to line movements. Once oddsmakers at the best sportsbooks set an opening point spread on an event, the line could move depending on how the public wagers and other factors such as injuries, changes in weather, and other intangibles. That makes the timing of when you place your point spread bet crucial to your chances of winning.
The following point spread examples illustrate this risk.
New York Jets -7.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams +7.5 (-110)
In the NFL point spread example above, the New York Jets have opened as 7.5-point favorites versus the Los Angeles Rams. This means that the Jets must win by a margin of more than seven points to produce a winning bet that pays out on -10 odds. Conversely, if you bet on the Rams, they must avoid losing by more than seven points to produce a payout.
However, in the event of a major injury, other game-related factors, or just a poorly handicapped opening betting line, the point spread may move in either direction in the days and hours leading up to game time. While this provides you with opportunities to find great value but can also be devastating for sports bettors who have not done their homework.
Point spread betting vs moneyline betting
While point spread betting enables you to wager on the margin of victory or defeat in a game, moneyline betting lets you bet on which team will get the outright win, regardless of margin of victory. That extra layer of complexity means that point spread bets at the best sportsbooks typically pay out on odds ranging from -110 to -120 while the odds of a moneyline bet can vary widely based on the competitive balance or imbalance between the two teams in action, which often makes betting on moneyline favorites prohibitive because of small payouts.
In addition to NBA and NFL betting, point spread betting is also very popular among sports bettors wagering on college football and basketball. In addition, a form of point spread is also available in baseball and hockey betting and is referred to as the run line in MLB betting and the puck line in NHL betting.
Point spread betting tips
Here are a few key tips to keep in mind as you begin your point spread betting journey.
Point spread betting is not for the faint of heart and requires significant research to maintain your chances of winning. Be sure to get an early start on researching the big game including factors such as injuries, weather conditions, where the game is being played, the recent form and schedule of the teams involved, and other intangibles.
Stay on top of point spread from the moment they are published by your favorite sportsbook. If you have done your homework, you will be better equipped to spot value among the opening point spreads before the line moves due to public betting.
Remember key numbers when making a point spread, particularly when betting on NHL or college football. Most games are decided by a margin of three or seven points, or a factor of those numbers, so identifying point spreads that correlate with those numbers can give you an extra edge.
Avoid last-minute point spread bets, where there may be little value, unless you have done proper research and you have already made an early wager on the same game and enjoy an opportunity to play both sides of a point spread.
Avoid betting with your heart and be sure to adhere to responsible bankroll management practices to ensure you remain in control of how much you are wagering and winning or losing.
Sportsbooks that offer point spreads
Here is a quick look at the top sportsbooks offering point spread betting on all major sports betting markets.
- bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel
- Hard Rock Bet
Parlay conclusion
Point spread betting has emerged as the most popular bet type for sports bettors wagering on sports where lots of points are scored, like the NFL and NBA. It enables you to wager on the margin of victory or defeat in a game and provides an opportunity to place wagers with close to even odds on games where placing a moneyline bet would be prohibitive due to competitive imbalances.
While the point spread can act as a great equalizer and provide you with a chance at a bigger payout on games you may not otherwise considering betting on, it also comes with some inherent risks compared to moneyline betting, where all you need to do is pick a game winner to cash in.
Accordingly, it is crucial for you to do your homework on the big game before placing your point spread bet. It is also important to follow responsible bankroll management practices that can help you keep track of how much you are wagering and whether you are winning or losing.
Pros and cons of point spread betting
Point spread betting explained FAQS
What is a point spread bet?
A point spread bet enables you to wager on the margin of victory or defeat in a game. The point spread is particularly popular in betting on sports that feature big point totals, such as the NFL and NBA. However, a form of point spread betting is also available for sports bettors getting in on the NHL odds and MLB odds.
Can you bet point spreads in parlays?
Yes, you can bet point spreads in parlays. With parlay betting, you can combine two or more disparate wagers into a single bet, with the payout boosted by enhanced odds. However, it important to remember that parlays come with a higher risk since every wager, or leg, that you include in a parlay increases your risk of losing.
Is point spread betting a bad idea?
Point spread betting is not a bad idea, but it may not be ideal for every sports bettor. You can increase your chances of success at point spread by doing your homework and recognizing factors that could impact the result of a game such as injuries, weather, and other intangibles. Accordingly, it is also crucial to avoid betting with your heart or making point spread wagers at the last minute without doing your homework.
Can you change the point spread?
Yes, you can change the point spread by making teaser bets. With teaser betting, you can adjust the point spread in your favor on two or more NFL, NBA, college football, or college basketball games, with the payout reduced by shortened odds. However, like with parlay betting, every leg of your teaser bet must win for you to cash in.
Can a point spread bet push?
Yes, a point spread bet can push if the margin of victory in a game exactly matched the spread. For example, if a team is favored by seven points and they win by exactly seven points, your bet will settle as a push. This is why you are more likely to seeing a point spread of 6.5 or 7.5, which eliminates the chance of a push.
