When it comes to wagering on sporting events, fans can get pretty creative with the ways they place their bets. One popular choice amongst bettors is known as a “spreads bet”. A spread bet is where you place a wager on a side or the total amount of points that will be scored in a specific sporting event. It is typically a less risky wager than going all-in on a single game, as you are not committed to wagering on that game and, therefore, can potentially walk away from the table if it does not payoff.
Despite the seemingly high-risk, free-flowing nature of sports betting, it is important to note the lines and rules before laying down any bets. The first step to taking advantage of the fun wagering opportunities offered by sporting events is to familiarize yourself with the betting lines and rules of the games you are interested in playing. Below, we will discuss the ins and outs of reading a sports spread.
What is a Sports Spread?
To start, let’s discuss what a “sports spread” is and isn’t. A sports spread is simply when you bet on the point spread or the total amount of points that will be scored in a specific game. For example, if you believe that the winning team will score more points than the losing team, you can bet on which side of the ball will be ahead at the end of the game (point spread) or you can bet on which team will have the most points at the end of the game (total points).
The term “spread” comes from the fact that, in horseracing, you would “spread your bets” on a selection of horses to back. When you do this, you are essentially placing bets on a “spread” of the horses. In other words, you are not committing to wagering on a single horse but instead are placing bets on a group of horses, allowing you to walk away from the table if one of the horses you bet on does not win. If you were to pick three horses at random and place a bet on each one, your chances of winning would drop from 62% to 56% to 42%.
How to Read a Sports Spread
When you get down to the nuts and bolts of reading a sports spread, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The first step is to look at the current line (the betting line) of the game. If you are not sure where to start, you can always look at the upcoming NBA matchups this season and use that to get an idea of what the betting line is at the moment. Remember, if you want to take advantage of the “spread bet”, you need to find a sportsbook that offers legitimate odds—otherwise, the house will eat into your profits and you’ll have nothing to show for it.
Once you have found a bookmaker that offers fair odds, the next step is to examine the different types of bets they offer. Most sportsbooks will offer a variety of bets, from over/under wagers to props to “chicken” bets (a bet on whether or not the first team to score will win). Knowing what type of bets they offer will give you an idea of what you are getting into.
With so much choice, it is important to keep things simple. You should keep an eye on the spreads of games that you are interested in playing and learn to bet on which side of the line you think will prevail. Remember: less is more. Going all-in on a single game or proposition can help if there is a large amount of money at stake but, otherwise, you are better off focusing on a side or the total amount of points that will be scored.
Why Bet On The Spread?
The main reason why you would want to bet on the spread is because it is a popular way for sports bettors to make money. If you are looking to place a wager on a specific side or the total amount of points that will be scored in an upcoming game, you should opt for the spread. This is because the spread allows the bettor to hedge their bet. Put simply, if you think that one team is going to win and the other team is not going to win but there is no clear favorite, you can back the spread.
For example, let’s say that you are backing the New England Patriots against the Chicago Bears in the upcoming NFL 2017 season. You have been watching the preseason and believe that the Patriots are going to crush their opposition and go all the way to the Super Bowl. However, you also know that the Bears are a pretty good team and could spoil the Patriots’ party. You have chosen the Bears – in other words, you are effectively saying that you think the over will win.
Although there is a clear “favorite” in this example, it is important to remember that both teams have their merits. While the Patriots may be the favorites in this particular matchup, the Bears have the most potential to win the game. This is why it is important to look at the spread and determine which side you believe is going to win the game.
Which Game To Bet On?
The first decision you need to make is which game to bet on. If you are looking to make the most of the upcoming season and would like to take advantage of the “spread”, you should focus on the regular season games. The reason behind this is that there is more liquidity in the regular season games as compared to the preseason games. Additionally, you are not required to win money back on the preseason games as you are required to do on the regular season games.
Where To Bet?
Now that you have your game chosen, it is time to figure out where you are going to place your bet. Unless you are playing at a land-based casino or a sportsbook operated by a brick-and-mortar sports franchise, your best bet is to use the internet to place your bet. This way, you can be confident that you are getting the best odds and are not being deceived by a scam operation.
If you are using a VPN to keep your personal data secure while surfing the web, this is even more important. Since your betting session is completely confidential, using a VPN will ensure that your personal data is never shared or compromised, no matter where you surf from.
Even if you are playing inside a casino, you should bet online. This is because the casinos have to pay out big dollars in case of a massive win, and they can’t afford to do this if they are operating off-site.
To be able to take advantage of the “spread”, you need a sportsbook that offers legitimate odds. You can’t expect to win big if the books you are playing at are pulling off funny tricks to make the odds appear more favorable to players. Legitimate books will always give the edge to the house in case of a bet involving money.
In conclusion, finding a sportsbook that offers reasonable odds and is not a scam is essential if you want to make the most of your sports betting experience. Furthermore, sticking to the basics and betting on which side of the line you believe will win the game is all you need to do to start making money quickly. If you want to become a pro at sports betting, you can find tons of advice by searching for “how to make money betting” on the web. Good luck out there.