Do you want to know how to bet on a spread in sports betting? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will review the different ways you can wager on the Vegas spread for NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games. We will also discuss some tips on maximizing your earnings from sports betting.
The Basics Of Betting On A Spread
To start, let’s review the basic terminology and mechanisms used in betting on a spread. A “line” is the advertised margin of victory for a particular team or player. For example, the Green Bay Packers may be listed as a 3-point favorite over the Chicago Bears in an NFL game this year. You’ll see these lines often posted on sports books’ websites before a game.
The “point spread” is the difference between the points scored by the team with the better record and the points scored by the team with the worse record. In the case of the Green Bay Packers – Chicago Bears game mentioned above, the point spread would be 3 points (3 for Packers, 0 for Bears). In other words, if you bet on Green Bay to cover the spread, you win! If the game ends in a tie, the points scored by the two teams are added together and that total becomes the final score. It’s important to note that in the case of a tie, the game ends in a tie and no points are awarded (0-0).
Why You Should Bet On The Underdog
No matter the sport, odds are always in your favor when you bet on the underdog. If you’re not familiar, the underdog is the team or player that you perceive to have the least chance of winning. When you bet on the underdog, you are essentially wagering that they will not perform at a level expected of a champion.
This can be useful when trying to decide who to bet on for your next sports wager. You usually have the option of choosing an overdog (the team or player you believe to be the best), but sometimes it’s easier to choose an underdog. Going against the grain can sometimes pay off in sports betting, particularly in the long run!
The Advantage Of Packing Pools
One of the best things about betting on the spread is that you can engage in “packing pools”. Packing pools are when two or more people get together and pool their money to bet on the same teams or players. For example, if you and your friend Fred both like the New England Patriots, you can pool your money and buy a small wager (for example, $2) on the Patriots in the upcoming NFL game against the Buffalo Bills.
If your friend Lou also likes the Patriots, you can get together with your friends and pool your money to place a bet on the game (for example, $4). Packing pools can be a great way to make some extra money from sports betting because the more people that you pack in on a pool, the larger your payout if your team wins!
How To Bet On The Over/Under
One of the more popular ways to bet on sports is to simply choose whether the total number of points scored by both teams will be higher or lower than the total points scored in the comparable game last year. This is called “over/under” betting, and it’s a fantastic way to participate in gambling on sports without having to concern yourself with the finer points of point spread betting!
In the NFL, for example, if you think that the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a large lead in the first half and that the final score will be higher than the over/under, you can select that side (Steelers to cover the spread). If you think that the final score will be lower than the over/under, you can select the underdogs (the Cleveland Browns to cover the spread).
This method of betting is extremely simple, and it makes the betting process much easier for the average person who wants to wager on sports but doesn’t necessarily want to get into the nitty-gritty of point spread betting.
The Pros And Cons Of Each Way
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of betting on a spread, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
One of the major perks of betting on the over/under is that you can make some quick money if your team wins. Just remember that the opposite is true if your team loses. So if you are looking for a safe way to wager and don’t want to risk the possibility of losing a large sum of money, this is the perfect option for you.
The most popular way to bet on sports is undoubtedly via the point spread. For years, this was the only way you could gamble on sports because points were the only thing that mattered. The margin of victory was simply the difference between the points scored by the team with the better record and the points scored by the team with the worse record. It was simple math!
However, over the years, a number of variables have cropped up that make other ways of betting on sports quite appealing. You can now choose to bet on the moneyline (whether the total score will be higher or lower than the total score in the comparable game last year), the number of points that will be scored (over/under), or the direction of the game (upset/covering spread)).
These variables give you a level of control over the risk that you are taking in betting on sports that just wasn’t available to the average person before the 21st century.
In regards to the pros and cons of each way of betting, they’re pretty straightforward. Betting on the over/under has the advantage of being a simpler way of betting, which some people find easier to navigate. On the other hand, people who like to get the most value possible out of their wagers prefer to go with the point spread, as they can vary their bet based on which team they think will win.
Which Method Is Best For You?
In conclusion, let’s review the best way to bet on a spread for each type of sport. Remember that you’ll lose money if your team loses, so take care with whom you’re betting or doing business with.
- For NFL games, go with the over/under
- For NBA games, go with the point spread
- For NHL games, go with the over/under
- For MLB games, go with the under