It is quite common for sports bettors to wager on the outcome of a sporting event, especially if they are interested in making a few extra bucks from their week-end hobby. Betting on sports is popular because it is usually considered a safe way to make a wager. This is largely thanks to the fact that sports are quite predictable. You know exactly what to expect when you put your cash on the line.
The question is, how exactly do you choose the teams you will wager on and what does the number “-8” mean? We will explore the meaning of this sportsbetting term as well as how to use it in the right way.
More Than Meets The Eye
It is quite evident that with every new sport that becomes popular, the number of people choosing to wager on it increases. This is largely because there is always the chance of winning big. It is quite a common sight to see people placing big-money bets on the Super Bowl, World Series, and other major sporting events.
If you are interested in sportsbetting but don’t know exactly what the “-8” stands for, then it is quite likely that you are a new comer to the world of betting. The number indicates the amount of points you need to win the bet to secure your profit. So, in the case of a bet involving the Lakers and the Celtics, for example, you would need to score exactly eight points to win the wager. It is quite simple, yet highly effective.
A Tradition In Sports Betting
It is quite evident that sports betting isn’t just a modern day phenomenon. People have been placing wagers on sporting events since the beginning of time. The early Chinese would lay down large wagers on the outcome of sporting events in the hope of winning a fortune. This is perhaps why poker is viewed as such a noble game, a game that has been played for centuries. While it might not always be the case, historically speaking, good old poker was played mainly by gentlemen. It was considered a skillful way to spend an evening and relax after a long day. The game has certainly evolved over the years, but the concept of playing for fun and betting on sports has remained relatively the same.
Point-Spread
Just like with any other kind of wagering, there is always the chance of an extremely unexpected event. Nobody sees something like the World Series every year, so when something unusual happens, you can bet your bottom dollar that people will be hitting the books to figure out how the outcome of the game could’ve been different. In the case of the World Series, for example, the Cleveland Indians were considered one of the great story-lines of all time. Their 1988 championship win was one of the most exciting sporting events ever. The team was made up of 19 players who were either Major League Baseball (MLB) or National Football League (NFL) veterans who came together for one sole purpose: to win the World Series. That year, they went on a late-season hot streak that saw them win 17 out of their last 21 games. This incredible run fell short at the end, as they lost the Championship Game to the Toronto Blue Jays in extra innings. This game was eventually decided by a walk-off home run, whereupon Jim Thome hit a moonshot that sailed over the left-field fence to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 win and end the Cinderella season for the Indians. The point spread on that game was +7.5 the over/under, which means the Blue Jays were favored to win by seven and a half points.
Over/Under
This is quite possibly one of the most familiar numbers to anyone who has ever bet on sports. You’ll often hear people refer to the over/under as simply “over” or “under” when talking about sports betting. This is because if you’re betting on the over (the favorite team will score more points than the underdog), then you will win the bet. If you’re betting on the under (the underdog will score more points than the favorite), then you will lose the bet. This is quite simple, but highly effective. If you’re new to the world of betting, then keeping this in mind will certainly help you make the right choice and understand what number to choose when betting on sports.
Statistically Speaking
A big problem for new bettors is that they don’t know how much statistical information to look for when making their wagers. Do they check the weather in the area of the game? What about the opposing teams’ stats from earlier that season? What about the historical data for both teams? These are all important queries, and if you have the time, it is advisable to look into them before making your wager. It is quite easy to find all the statistical information you need online, which makes doing a little research before placing a bet quite effortless.
Point Totals
Just like any other kind of betting, there is also the option of betting on the total number of points scored in the game. This is quite a common option when placing a bet on the World Series, and it is quite easy to find the total points scored for each team’s current game. If you are interested in this option, then choosing the World Series is usually a no-brainer. Every year, the total points scored in the World Series is quite high, which means there is always the possibility of an extremely high total. If you’re feeling lucky, then this could be quite the profitable wager. Just remember that if the total is high, then there is also the chance of an extremely low score. This is when choosing the over/under is highly preferable, as this is when you will be sure to win your bet.
Game Time
This is quite possibly the most important piece of information to keep in mind when betting on sports. Just like any other kind of wagering, you will usually hear people talk about wanting to place their wagers as soon as possible. Game time is quite often a deciding factor in the outcome of a game. If you’re looking for a safe way to make a wager, then it is advisable to wait until the end of the 1st quarter to place your wagers. This is quite often when the first official stats of the game have been published, and this is also when the teams have had a chance to calm down and settle into the game. You might also want to wait until after halftime to put your wagers in, as the 2nd half is when the majority of the scoring takes place. If you’re feeling adventurous, then you could also go for early starts, as long as you’re aware of the fact that there is always the chance of the game starting late.
Recent Form
Just like any other kind of sports betting, betting on the outcome of a sporting event is often a matter of reading the respective teams’ recent form. If you’re interested in making a wager on the Boston Red Sox, for example, then you should check out their 2019 performance, as they haven’t won a game since April 14th. Before that, they had won 6 straight games. This is quite the frustrating stretch for the fans of the Red Sox, as well as for those who love to bet on them. This is quite different from the Atlanta Braves, who have won 6 out of their 7 games this season. It is quite easy to find the winning and losing streaks for any team, which makes analyzing the respective strengths and weaknesses of each team quite easy.
The point is that just like any other hobby or pastime, sportsbetting is quite easy to learn and quite fun to do if you approach it the right way. It is quite common for people to wager on sports because it is considered a safe way to make money, but just like any other kind of gambling, there is always the chance of losing your cash. Just do the math and don’t bet on sporting events you can’t afford to lose. This will in one way or the other make you a better sports bettor, and this is quite worth it.