You may be familiar with the use of the plus-minus sign when calculating the net ratings in NBA (National Basketball Association) and NHL (National Hockey League) games. What you may not know is that there is actually a whole lot more where that came from. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the plus-minus symbol and how you can use it in your favor when betting on sports, because let’s face facts: nobody likes losing, especially when it comes to sports betting. You may have heard of the “Bookies Never Agree On The Results” saying. Well, it’s time for the Bookies to finally break that habit. With today’s article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about using the plus-minus sign when betting on sports, with a special focus on explaining how and why this useful tool in sports betting will benefit you.
How Does The Plus-Minus Sign Work In Sports Betting?
As the name would suggest, the plus-minus sign is used when calculating the difference between two numbers. In the case of sports betting, these numbers are usually the total number of points scored (or the amount of money wagered) by both teams in the game. While the score of the game may give you a general idea of how the game went, the plus-minus sign gives you a more accurate reflection of how each team performed. Since the sign was first used in the 1950s, it has gained a lot of popularity, particularly in the NBA where teams are often within a 5-point margin of victory or defeat. The NBA uses a 3-2-1 format for their games, which means they play three quarters of the game, followed by a two-minute break, and then one more period of quarter-time action. This ensures there is always at least one more chance for a team to make up the difference in their performances before the end-of-the-game results are determined. In the NHL, games are typically played with two 20-minute periods followed by a 10-minute break. There is also typically one intermission in the NHL between the two periods. This means the game clock only ticks once every 40 minutes, allowing players to engage in more action during the game. The plus-minus sign allows you to truly see which team is performing better at any given moment of the game. If you find after the two-minute break a certain team is ahead by 5 points, you can be sure that they are going to win the game, since they have already had 3+ periods to rack up the points behind.
The Evolution Of The Plus-Minus Sign In Sports Betting
The plus-minus sign has a long and storied history in sports betting. It was initially used only in hockey and a few other professional sports, but over the years, its popularity in the NBA has led to it being used in almost all major sports. Here’s a quick history of the sign:
1953 – The first documented example of the plus-minus sign in any sport appeared in an issue of the New York Daily News. The author of the article, Jack O’Malley, wrote that the NHL (then called the National Hockey League) was considering changing its format to include the plus-minus sign instead of the currently used goal differential system. While the goal differential system was designed to level the playing field, allowing for more competition, the plus-minus sign was proposed to bring an additional layer of competitiveness by rewarding teams for beating the spread (i.e., the assumed margin of victory for a given team). For example, if you back the New York Knicks picking up 4 points against the spread, you would win $100 if their final score turns out to be 10-6. That means you would need to bet $100 that the Knicks will score 6 points or less, and if they score more than 6 points, you would lose your $100 wager. The plus-minus sign was officially adopted by the NHL a year later in 1954.
1954 – The NBA (then called the National Basketball Association) implemented the plus-minus sign two years later in 1954. As in the NHL, the plus-minus sign was initially used in conjunction with the goal differential system in the NBA. However, as the years progressed, the goal differential system grew increasingly unpopular and fell out of favor, leading the NBA to adopt the plus-minus sign alone. Since then, the NBA has continued to use the plus-minus sign, often in conjunction with the team’s record.
1961 – The American Football League (the original name of the NFL, or National Football League) began using the plus-minus sign in their records in 1961. In fact, many football historians believe it was the use of the plus-minus sign that helped spark the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, which formed the NFL we know and love today.
1968 – The MLB (then known as the United States League) added the plus-minus sign to their records in 1968. Like the rest of the Major Leagues, the MLB has continued to use the sign after it was first implemented, making it one of the most popular signs in sports betting.
1975 – One of the more interesting stories associated with the plus-minus sign is the fact that it was actually recommended for use in the 1973 International Table Tennis Federation rules book. The rules book was written in German, but it was essentially adopted by the international table tennis community, with some edits here and there. One of these edits included the recommendation that the plus-minus sign be used in conjunction with the four-wall rule. The four-wall rule states that when serving, the player throwing the ball must stand within the playing field. This requirement was initially implemented to stop defensive players from popping up behind the catcher and snagging a passed or dropped ball. The edit recommended using the plus-minus sign to indicate whether or not the thrower had “hit” the ball, thereby satisfying the four-wall requirement. It is said that table tennis was actually ahead of its time.
The Sign’s Many Applications In Sports Betting
In addition to being used in the calculation of score differential, the plus-minus sign also has another application in sports betting. When a team scores (or allows an opposing team to score), they earn one point. When a team doesn’t score (or allows an opposing team to not score), they lose one point. The application of the plus-minus sign in this instance is very similar to the way it is applied in the score differential calculation. However, in this case, the sign is used to determine the amount of wagering associated with a specific outcome. For example, if you think the Denver Nuggets will cover the spread this evening, you can bet $100 on them. If their score ends up being 12-2, you would win $200. If they score exactly 14 points, you would win $300. If they score 16 points or more, you would win your $100 wager, plus another $100 due to the two-point differential.
When Is It Appropriate To Use The Plus-Minus Sign In Sports Betting?
Another important consideration when using the plus-minus sign in sports betting is when and where you should be doing it. Let’s face facts: nobody likes losing, especially in sports betting. If you are a beginner, it may be best to wait until you are more familiar with the game before using this tool. One important thing to keep in mind is that the plus-minus sign is an extremely useful tool in sports betting when applied in the right manner. For example, if you were backing the Los Angeles Lakers to win tonight’s game, using the plus-minus sign is one of the best ways to make sure you win your wager. The fact is the Lakers are a solid team and it wouldn’t be a shock if they scored 10 or more points this evening. However, if you had initially bet $100 on the Kansas City Chiefs, using the plus-minus sign would be a bad idea unless you plan on covering your wager. The Chiefs are a much worse team than the Lakers and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they don’t even win by 4 points.
At this point, you may be thinking that this was quite a long article simply to tell you what the plus-minus sign is and how you can use it in your favor in sports betting. Rest assured that there is a whole lot more where that came from. The next part of our article will go over some common scenarios where using the plus-minus sign would be beneficial, as well as some situations where it might not be the best choice.