If you’re reading this, I assume you’re curious about betting. What is the betting value of +120? Well, that depends on how you want to calculate it. Is it the point spread? The Vegas point-spread? The over/under?
To make it easy, I’m going to tell you exactly how to figure out the value of +120 in all of these betting situations. Just follow the steps and you’ll understand what the betting odds mean.
The Point Spread
The point spread is the most popular type of betting in North American sportsbooks and it’s almost always listed alongside odds. This is probably because the point spread is the simplest type of bet to make and there’s very little to no handling of the actual game. You bet on whether one team will score more points than the other. If you’re betting with house odds, that’s all you need to know.
The Vegas Point-Spread
The Vegas point-spread is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll often find this type of bet listed alongside point spreads in a sportsbook, but you’ll also sometimes see it listed as a straight up or a side wager. Essentially, when you place a Vegas point-spread bet, the house will add 120 to whichever team they think will win the game. Meaning, if you think the home team will cover the point spread, you’ll need to bet on them at +120 to win $100.
The Over/Under
The over/under is exactly what it sounds like. You’re betting on the total number of points that will be scored in the game. If you’re betting on the New York Jets +6.5 over Patriots, that means you’re betting that the Jets will score at least six points and the Patriots will score five points or less. If you’re betting on the under, you’re betting that the total amount of points will be less than the stated total. If you’re betting on the Jets +6.5 under, you’ll need to bet on them at +110 to win $100.
The Line
You’ll often find betting lines that stipulate points scored or allowed in addition to the standard point spread format. When you see these types of bets, the point spread is usually implied and the actual score is what drives the payout. In these types of bets, you’re not necessarily betting on a game, but rather the result of a pre-determined formula with point spread bonuses. For example, you might see a Minnesota Vikings +4 line with 4 points added for a total of 8 points. This means you’ll need to bet on them at +48 to win $100.
The Total
Sometimes the total is the last thing you’ll see before you place your bet. The total is the summation of all of the scores in a sports game. If you see the total listed above the betting line, that means there is no formula for determining the outcome of the game and the total is the ultimate factor. For example, if you see the total listed as 49-45, that means there are no additional point spreaders or over-under bets because the final score of the game will be a tie. In this case, you’ll need to bet on the over or under depending on which you prefer.
The Result
The result is the final score of the game, whether it be a win, a loss, or a tie. This number is often listed alongside the final score in sports books. For example, if you see the result listed as 49-45, that means there was a 49-45 score for the entire game, but you didn’t need to see which team scored which point because the score was already known. In this case, you’ll need to bet on the over or under depending on which you prefer.
Hopefully, this was helpful. Now that you know the four different formats that can appear on a betting slip, you’ll be able to confidently make the right choice for your situation. Just remember, with betting, you can’t always trust what you see. Always check the odds and the payout before placing your bet. Good luck!