Betting on the point spread is a lightning-fast way to place your wager on a game. As an alternative to betting on the final score, you can bet directly on how many points one team will win by. This type of bet is typically known as the point spread, or how many points one team is expected to beat another by. The point spread is generally established by analyzing statistical data from recent games and factoring in home field advantage, strength of opponent, and other relevant factors. The result is a range between how many points one team should win by and how many points their opponent should win by.
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How to bet the point spread
In the simplest terms, betting on the point spread is a game of chance. You’re predicting which team will win the game and by how many points they’ll win by. The spread is determined by the oddsmakers and is based on the team’s performance in recent games and home field advantage. There’s also a standard deviation of three points added to both sides of the spread. A standard football game has an over/under line with a total of 50 points. This means that you can bet on whether the total points scored in the game will be over or under 50. In order to predict what will happen in the game, you need to interpret the point spread. If a team is favored by 7 points, you can assume that they will probably win the game by scoring more than the opposing team.
Betting on the total points scored
Total points scored is a bet that is similar to the point spread in that it’s based on the predicted outcome of the game. The total points scored in the game is predicted to exceed or fall short of a predetermined number that’s set by the oddsmakers. If you bet that the total points will be over 50 points, for example, you would win your wager if the total points scored in the game exceeded 50 points. Although the two types of bets are similar, there are a few key differences between betting on the point spread and betting on the total points scored. One difference is that you need to predict the final score of the game. While the total points scored in the game can be greater than the predetermined number, the final score can be less than the point spread.
Point Spread Strategy
The first thing you need to do is determine which team you think will win the game. Then you need to decide if the given spread is within your risk tolerance. When deciding which team to pick, you need to pay close attention to the strength of the team and the quality of their opponents. It’s important to keep in mind that the favorite team will likely win the game. While there’s a chance that the favorite could still lose, it’s less likely compared to the underdog team, which has a higher chance of winning the game. However, the underdog team might have a chance if they’re more likely to keep the game close than the favorite team. If you pick the favorite team, you’re likely to win the game but you might end up with a low payout. On the other hand, picking the underdog team has a higher risk of winning the game but you’re more likely to get a high payout in return. If you want to play it safe, you could pick an even team for a tie. You should keep in mind, however, that the odds of an even result are generally lower than that of a favorite or underdog.
Key points to keep in mind
There are some simple points that will help you make a successful bet:
- The odds are usually higher for favorites and lower for outsiders.
- Since favorites have a higher chance of winning the game, they have a lower payout.
- Outsiders have higher odds of winning, so they have a higher payout.
- If you choose an even team, you get a draw with a 50 percent payout.
- The standard soccer game has a more/lower line with a total of 50 points.
- If you choose that the total number of points is greater than 50, you win your bet.
- If you bet that the total number of points scored will be less than 50, you lose your bet.
FAQs
Is betting on the point spread different from betting on the final score?
Yes. When betting on the point spread, you’re predicting which team will win by a certain number of points. When betting on the final score, you’re predicting which team will win the game entirely.
What is the house edge when betting on the point spread?
The house edge is the expected amount of profit you’ll give to the bookmaker if you lose your bet.
Why does the underdog get points?
American football games are divided into quarters, and the team that’s behind is expected to make a comeback during the second and third quarters. That’s why the underdog team receives points from the moment the game starts.