Sports Betting Spread, also know as “Spread betting”, “point spread” or “line”, is the most common type of bet and involves betting based on the difference in the points scored by two individuals or two teams in a sporting event. The winner is determined by comparing the point difference between the two individuals or teams and the points assigned by a sportsbook.
Let’s look at the following example where Team A is the underdog by 6.5 points which makes Team B the favorite by 6.5 points.
Spread/Line:
Team A (+6.5)
Team B (-6.5)
If you were to bet on Team B to win, the difference in the final score will need to be 7 or more in order for you to win.
Final Score:
Team a – 30
Team B – 37
In looking at the final score above you would win your bet! On the other hand, if the final score were to be 36 to 30. You would lose your bet!
Spreads are frequently created in half-point increments to avoid ties. Yet, there are instances where a tie will occur, which is called a push. A push is not favorable by the sportsbooks because there would be no winner declared and the sportsbook would have to refund the money wagered on the sporting event. However, Sportsbooks are permitted to “hedge their position” by stating that a push is a win or a push is a loss. In this case the sportsbook would not have to refund any money.
In conclusion, Sports Betting Spread is the simplest form of betting and will continue to be the most popular method of making money while betting on sports for some time to come.