In the world of sports betting, there is more than one point spread to be aware of. One of the most popular and widely used point spreads is the NFL point spread. A typical NFL point spread appears in red. Does this mean that the the home team will score at least two touchdowns, or does it mean that the point spread favors the visiting team?
In general, when a casino, sports book, or online sportsbook offers odds on any given sporting event, there will be an accompanying point spread that is usually attached to the odds. What is the point spread? The point spread is the measure of confidence (or lack thereof) that the sportsbook has in the home team’s ability to win the game. The point spread is usually expressed in the form of a number or formula that indicates the magnitude of the spread. For example, a -3 point spread on a money-line bet means that the house is taking a chance on the home team winning the game, but expects them to win by at least three points. Or, in other words, the sportsbook thinks that the home team will win the game by a touchdown or more.]
How Does the Point Spread Work?
On the surface, it seems pretty self-explanatory. The point spread is the spread of confidence (or lack thereof) that the sportsbook has in the home team’s ability to win the game. The more points the home team wins by, the less the sportsbook has to pay out on winning bets, and the less they have to pay out on losing bets. It is similar to saying that the more a horse wins by, the less the bettor will lose. However, this is not always the case. For example, if the home team wins by five points, but the spread is 3 points, then the sportsbook wins only two points because they took a three-point loss on the bet. In other words, the spread is used as a form of insurance against the home team winning the game by less than the point spread. In this case, the insurance policy pays out only if the home team scores at least 21 points. Otherwise, the sportsbook has to pay the full three points. In conclusion, the point spread is not always a good thing, particularly if you are rooting for the home team. This is why it is important to look at the entire situation and not get suckered into thinking that just because the home team is favored, they will automatically win the game. The point spread is almost always used as a guide, but it is never the be-all and end-all when it comes to calculating odds.
What Is The Over/Under Point Spread?
An under/over point spread is exactly what it sounds like – the points scored by the respective teams are either added or subtracted from the total. For example, if the over/under point spread for a given NFL game is 44.5, then you know that the total point score will be greater than or equal to 44.5, and the home team is expected to win the game. If the under/over number is 43 or less, then the sportsbook is anticipating an underwhelming performance from the home team and is pricing the game accordingly. Conversely, if the over/under point spread is 46.5, then the home team is expected to win the game, and the sportsbook is anticipating a very fun (and profitable) game. It is also important to note that in most cases, an over point spread does not necessarily mean that the home team will win the game. It simply means that the total points scored by both teams will be above the spread. So, if you are picking sides in an NFL rivalry game and one of the teams is heavily favored, it is smart to look at the other stats and chances of the game, rather than just relying on the point spread. For instance, the New England Patriots are 13.5 point favorites over the New York Jets this Thursday night, but it would not be a bad idea to consider the over/under point spread of this game. The Patriots are traditionally very strong at home, and if you are looking for an opportunity to make some money, this would be a very good option. However, the point spread does not lie. The Jets have historically been very strong on the road, and the under/over point spread takes this into consideration. In conclusion, never rely solely on the point spread to make an informed decision about whether or not to bet on an NFL game. Instead, look at all the relevant information before making a plan. This way, you will be sure to win – or at least, make the right decision.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the point spread better. With this basic knowledge, you can begin to think of other forms of betting in a whole new way. Do you have a different point spread that you found particularly useful? Feel free to share it with us in the comments below!