In sports betting, there are generally two kinds of bets: favorites and against-the-spread (ATS) bets. If you’re not familiar, a favorite is a player whom you’ve placed a bet on to win. An ATS bet is a wager on the winner of a game based on how the teams are performing in relation to the spread, or the difference in points between the two teams. For example, if the spread is set at 3 points, you would make an ATS bet on the team with the more points, in this case the Warriors. In layman’s terms, this means that you’re backing the underdog but trying to ensure that your team wins!
Know the differences in these bets so that you can make the right choice for your situation. It’s important to note that both kinds of bets have their perks, and it takes some trial and error to determine which one is right for you. Let’s dive into the differences between these two types of wagers to figure out which one you should choose for your needs.
Key Differences Between Favorites And ATS Bets
Favorites are generally better bets because the sportsbooks and casinos assume that you have some knowledge about the game and the participants. So, if you’re knowledgeable enough about the sport and team, you’re essentially placing a bet on yourself. Favorites are also safer bets since the odds are generally better in your favor. This means that, if you’re wrong, you won’t lose nearly as much as they would if they saw your wager as a risk. Finally, most bookmakers will give you better prices on favorites due to the fact that they assume you know more about the game. This is why they’re also called “smart money” bets. For more information on this subject, check out this article on Sports Betting Safety Tips by Brad McLeman.
On the other hand, ATS bets are better suited for newbies and casual sports fans. Since the odds are generally against you in these types of bets, you’re better off if you’re wrong since you’ll lose less money. The good thing about ATS betting is that you don’t need to be extremely knowledgeable about the sport in order to place a successful bet. Simply need to know the general rules of the game and the difference in points between the two teams. The bad news is that ATS bets are more dangerous since the house edge is always more than 1% and can range from 1.5% to 4% depending on the odds the bookmaker chooses for you. This means that, even if you’re right, you’ll lose money in the long term because of the way the casinos and bookmakers work. For a more detailed explanation of this, check out this article on How to Choose the Right Bookmaker For Sports Betting by Nick Southmore.
The bottom line is that you should choose your favorite team, if you’re backing them, when the spread is good and you’re confident that they’ll win. But if you’re placing an ATS bet, it’s best to pick a neutral site and a trustworthy bookmaker since both teams are generally more unpredictable and volatile than the favorites. In general, the best sportsbooks and casinos will gladly take your money, even if the teams are not performing well, due to the fact that it’s easier for them to make money off of ATS bets than it is off of favorites. So, as you can see, both types of bets have their perks and quirks. It takes some experience to figure out which one is right for you and, as always, verify the terms and conditions before doing business with any online sportsbooks or casinos.
Why Do Bookmakers Favorites?
Most sportsbooks and casinos favor the inclusion of a team’s name in a wager, as it makes their job easier when they can correlate a waffle maker or an IPod to a specific team or player. This is called the “insurance factor.” In layman’s terms, this means that they assume you know more about the game and that they can trust you not to lose your money. The fact that you’re backing the favorite means that you have a good chance of them winning. This makes it easier for the bookmaker to make money due to the high winnings that are usually associated with these kinds of bets. Favorites also bring in more money for the casinos and bookmakers since they tend to generate more interest from both gamblers and sportsbooks. This is called the “name recognition factor.” It’s also important to note that bookmakers offer better odds for favorites because they assume that you’re more familiar with them and their games. This is why they call them “smart money” bets as well. Favorites are also safer bets because the house edge is lower than in ATS betting. Finally, there’s no question that fans want to bet on their favorite team, so this makes it a money maker for the books!
As a general rule, it’s best to avoid placing ATS bets on games with low odds since the house edge is usually very high in these types of bets. However, there are times when these kinds of bets are exactly what you want to make since they allow you to hedge your bets. For example, if Arsenal is playing at home and the spread is very small, you might want to make an ATS bet in order to avoid a blowout loss. Of course, if they’re playing at home and you’re confident that they’ll win, you can go for a favorite as well!
How Do Bookmakers Favorites?
As mentioned above, the casinos and bookmakers generally prefer to take your money on a bet involving a team or player they know and trust. This is why they include the team’s or player’s name in the wager. The main idea is that they want to attract more players and make more money. The fact that you’re placing a bet on yourself means that you’re essentially betting on a game that you’ve never heard of or seen play before. This makes it more difficult for the bookmakers to make money off of your wager since they have no idea how well the odds will be in your favor. For more information on this subject, check out this article on Sports Betting Safety Tips by Brad McLeman.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid all unfamiliar teams and players, as there are definitely times when this can be very beneficial. For example, if you’re in the UK and you want to bet on the Wimbledon tennis tournament, you would need to search for a bookmaker that is licensed and regulated in the country you’re located in. This way, you can be sure that the team or player you’re betting on is authorized to be in the UK and will therefore not cause any issues with the law. It’s also important to note that the odds will be better in your favor if the team or player is well-known, so you might want to consider placing a wager on a team or player that is included in a lot of betting schemes or books. This is because it is usually easier for the sportsbooks and casinos to make money off of these kinds of bets since there’s more demand for them. For more information on this subject, check out this article on How to Choose the Right Bookmaker For Wimbledon by Nick Southmore.
As a general rule, you should avoid betting on teams and players that are part of a promotional scheme or are associated with a popular culture meaning that most people are wagering on them. For example, the Seattle Seahawks are often the subject of wagering promotions since a lot of people think that they’re going to do well this year. However, since they’re involved in a lot of scandals and bad publicity, it’s usually best to stay away from betting on them. The same goes for the New England Patriots, who are always involved in some sort of controversial incident.