The meaning of the word ‘cover’ in sports betting can be a bit confusing. In the context of sports betting, it can mean several different things and the betting terminology can be a bit ambiguous. However, knowing what the term covers and how it is used can help you understand sports betting and make it easier to get into the swing of things.
The Types Of Coverage
As mentioned, the word ‘cover’ can have several different meanings in sports betting – in one sense it is used to describe the opposition’s scoring margin while in another it can describe the teams’ performance within a game. It is also possible that some sportsbooks will use the term to describe the degree of betting competition for a particular match. Knowing this, it is important to determine the specific meaning that is being used in a particular instance.
Scoring Margin
This is the most common sense definition of ‘cover’ in sports betting. Most sportsbooks will use the scoring margin between one team and the other to indicate the degree of cover for that game. For example, if a sportsbook uses the points awarded in a basketball game as their basis for calculating coverage then they would most likely use the following scale:
- +2 – points awarded to the home team
- +1 – points awarded to the home team
- 0 – points awarded to the home team
- –1 – points awarded to the home team
- –2 – points awarded to the home team
- –3 – points awarded to the home team
- –4 – points awarded to the home team
- –5 – points awarded to the home team
- –6 – points awarded to the home team
- –7 – points awarded to the home team
- –8 – points awarded to the home team
- –9 – points awarded to the home team
- +9 – points awarded to the home team
- +10 – points awarded to the home team
- +11 – points awarded to the home team
- +12 – points awarded to the home team
- +13 – points awarded to the home team
- +14 – points awarded to the home team
- +15 – points awarded to the home team
- +16 – points awarded to the home team
- +17 – points awarded to the home team
- +18 – points awarded to the home team
- +19 – points awarded to the home team
- +20 – points awarded to the home team
It is important to note here that this is not necessarily the definition that is used by all sportsbooks and some may use different scales. Also, some sportsbooks may use a different term to describe the same concept such as ‘points in’ instead of ‘margin of’. Keep this in mind when placing bets as inconsistencies in this area can cause you to lose money. For example, if you were to place a bet on the Ravens +18.0 points and the Colts scored +20.0 points then the book would return your money as the Ravens covered the spread.
Teams’ Performance
This is the second most common use of ‘cover’ in sports betting. In this situation, a bookmaker will use the results of a football game to establish the degree of betting competition for the teams involved. For example, if the Titans beat the Falcons 45-41 then the betting competition would be set at +125 for the over under 41 points scored in that game. It is also possible that a bookmaker would use the aggregate score of a series of football games to establish the degree of betting competition for the teams involved. For example, if the Jets lost their first two games by a combined score of 45-20 then the betting competition would be set at +120 for the third game of the series. Keep in mind that this is merely a guide to help you place winning bets.
Betting Competition
This is the third most common use of ‘cover’ in sports betting. In this scenario, a bookmaker would set the degree of betting competition for a team by comparing them against the points scored by other teams in previous games. This can be done either by comparing the point spreads in those games or by using the accumulated score of those games to establish a point differential for each team. The last two scenarios are merely a guide to help you place winning bets as the definition of ‘cover’ can vary from book to book.
To reiterate, the definition of ‘cover’ in sports betting can be a bit confusing due to the different ways that it is used from book to book. However, knowing what it means in general and how it is used in specific situations can help make your sports betting experience much easier to understand and much more profitable. Always be sure to check the specific rules and regulations of the book you are placing your bet with as this can vary from company to company. Additionally, if you are looking to place a large bet then it is best to speak with the casino manager or customer service representative as opposed to placing a bet directly with a live sportsbook agent. Last but not least, if you feel like changing your betting competition status or the amount you wager then you should contact the customer service department as soon as possible as this can be done only at certain times of the day. Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding the definition of ‘cover’ in sports betting in the comments below.