You may not be heavily involved in sports betting, but chances are you’re familiar with the concept of the “point spread.” Whenever there’s a conversation about a team’s level of favoritism or underdog status in a game, it’s referring to the “spread.” With online sports betting sites now available in New York, it’s only a matter of time before you encounter the point spread bet.

Every sportsbook includes point spread betting as it is an essential component and is often favored by bettors, alongside the basic moneyline bet. Whether you’re new to betting or an experienced handicapper, it is crucial to understand and keep in mind everything related to point spreads.

Live point spreads at online sportsbooks

Below are the current live point spreads for today’s games, as displayed on online sportsbooks. To view the point spreads for NBA, MLB, NHL, and other sports, use the drop-down menu on the left. You can also check the moneyline or totals odds through the other menu. By clicking on any odds, you can directly access the sportsbook, where you can claim any new player bonus you qualify for and place your spread bet. Please note that until New York online sportsbooks are available, this feed will display point spreads offered by New Jersey online sportsbooks.

What does “the spread” mean in betting?

At its core, a point spread is a straightforward concept. It involves the prediction of a sportsbook’s oddsmakers on the expected margin of victory for a specific game. Bettors then place their wagers based on the accuracy of this prediction. Essentially, the point spread indicates not only the projected winning team but also the expected difference in points by which the victor will surpass their opponent.

In this estimation, there is a team considered the favorite, expected to win, while the other team is the underdog. Bettors can place wagers based on whether the favorite will win by a greater margin than predicted (referred to as “beating the spread”) or if the underdog will prevent a larger point difference in their loss (known as “covering the spread”).

It is crucial to understand that in a spread bet, the underdog team does not necessarily have to win the game to be successful. The only requirement is that the margin of victory is less than the number set by the sportsbook. Additionally, if the underdog manages to win the game outright, it automatically covers the spread.

The spread bet options can be easily identified by their placement on the board. Each team’s name will be accompanied by either a one- or two-digit number. The distinction lies in the presence of a plus or minus sign. The underdog in the matchup will have a positive number, while the favorite will have a negative number. Typically, the spread will be listed with a decimal of half-point precision. This practice by the sportsbook ensures that the final score does not precisely align with the spread.

During casual conversations, you might come across bettors or pundits mentioning “the line” in reference to a game. This pertains specifically to the spread of the game being discussed. It is important, however, not to confuse this topic with the moneyline, as it represents a completely different type of bet.

What payouts do spread bets offer?

Essentially, nearly all spread bets provide a payout ratio of close to 1:1. In other words, if you bet one dollar, you have the potential to win nearly one dollar.

Naturally, the term “almost” in that statement is quite notable. Essentially, the payout for a standard spread bet will be 90.91% of the initial bet. In simpler terms, if you wager $100, a typical spread bet will yield a return of $90.91.

The payout for this spread listing can be determined by the number displayed alongside it. If you are already acquainted with the moneyline format, you will find it similar. However, let’s delve into it further using an illustration from the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

In this listing, the option on the left represents the point spread. The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to win their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 10.5 point advantage. The moneyline listing next to the spread indicates the payout ratio for each option.

In this scenario, both teams are presented with odds of -110, which is the typical figure you will come across. These odds are always negative, yet they can fluctuate to entice wagering on either team.

Based on the information, it appears that DraftKings offers a payout of $100 for every winning $110 bet. This means that if you were to place a successful $110 bet, you would receive a total payout of $210. However, it is important to note that you are not limited to betting in these specific amounts. Each sportsbook will adjust the payout based on the size of your wager. For example, if you choose to bet $50, you would be eligible for a profit of $45.45 and a total payout of $95.45.

Point spreads and the house edge

The amount of money you have to pay in order to place a spread bet (or any other type of wager) is the sportsbook’s share of the winnings. These additional dollars on each bet are referred to as the vigorish or “vig” for short. It is common for most sports bets to have a 10% vig, resulting in a standard payout ratio of -110.

If you come across payouts that deviate from -110, you can determine whether the bookmaker aims to promote or discourage betting on a particular side of the bet. To illustrate this, consider the following example:

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to win the game against the Sacramento Kings with a 6.5 point advantage. However, the payout odds for each team differ from the usual -110. Specifically, the Sacramento Kings are listed at -114, while the Brooklyn Nets are listed at -107.

In order to win $100 on a bet placed on the Kings, you would need to bet $114. However, if you choose to bet on the Nets, you only need to wager $107 to win the same amount. This difference suggests that DraftKings has likely received a higher number of bets on the Sacramento team.

DraftKings is strategically promoting betting on the Nets by offering reduced odds for that side of the spread, aiming to achieve a balanced inflow of bets with the outflow plus the vig, which is the ultimate objective for any sportsbook.

10% sounds like a very high house edge

If you’re accustomed to playing different casino games, a 10% house advantage may seem absurd. Typically, slot machines have single-digit edges, and most basic play options on table games provide a disadvantage of less than 5%. There are a few reasons for this. The primary reason is based on mathematics. The 10% vig does not accurately reflect the actual house advantage you will encounter. To illustrate this point, consider the following example:

• Both teams are contributing $110 each and receiving equal amounts in wagers, resulting in a total pot of $220.
• Regardless of the winning team, the bettors who placed successful bets will receive a combined sum of $210. This includes their initial wagers of $110, along with a $100 profit.
• The winners receive nothing, and the sportsbook retains the remaining $10.

After a total bet of $220, the sportsbook’s profit is merely $10. These figures reveal that the actual house edge amounts to just 4.54%. Although this edge is higher than certain table games, it falls within the median range when compared to other available options.

The skill involved is another reason why sports betting stands out. Unlike other forms of gambling, it is possible for individuals to pursue it as a profession. Although we don’t recommend quitting your job to solely focus on betting, it is not unreasonable to believe that you can outperform the 4.54% disadvantage and generate profits, at least in the short run.

Spread bet options for hockey, baseball

Not all sports are suitable for point spread betting, as a substantial amount of scoring is necessary to avoid excessive fluctuations for both the sportsbook and the bettors. Baseball and hockey, in particular, do not meet the requirements for spread betting due to their tendency to result in low final scores.

Sportsbooks apps in New York provide the run line for baseball and the puck line for hockey, offering a spread-like option. These lines function similarly, integrating components of spread betting and moneylines to establish a unique betting choice.

In baseball and hockey games, the sportsbook establishes the standard run/puck line at 1.5 runs or goals, ensuring an equal margin between the favorite and underdog. However, due to the unpredictable scoring and victory margins in these sports, the sportsbook adjusts the payout ratios instead of altering the spread. Consequently, the run line or puck line resembles a moneyline bet more than a spread bet.

Take a look at this illustration provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.

In this case, the puck line is positioned in the left column, just like where you typically find the spread. The spread is set at 1.5 goals, indicating that the New Jersey Devils are expected to win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Nevertheless, it is evident that both payout ratios deviate significantly from the typical -110 standard. It is even noteworthy that there is a negative payout for the Sabres to cover, indicating that BetMGM and/or the shrewd bettors believe that the Sabres covering the bet is the more probable outcome at this juncture. It may appear peculiar, but our primary focus should be on comprehending the information conveyed by these numbers.

Spread betting option for soccer – Asian handicap

Sportsbooks face a challenge when it comes to spread betting in soccer. Apart from the low scoring nature of the sport, a significant number of soccer games result in a tie. In fact, sources suggest that approximately one in four soccer games end in a draw. Consequently, it becomes problematic to assign a spread or even a run/puck line without careful consideration.

Introduce the concept of Asian handicap, derived from Indonesia, where it grants an advantage to the perceived underdog. This betting method excludes the possibility of a draw and requires the favored team to secure victory by a specific margin. In essence, the Asian handicap resembles a traditional spread bet, as opposed to the run line or puck line.

Therefore, the most fundamental listing offers no advantage to either team, as illustrated below:

“PK” or “pick ’em” signifies that in order for your bet to be successful, your selected team must emerge as the winner. Nevertheless, it is evident that Manchester City is strongly favored over West Ham United. To put it into perspective, you would need to wager $1430 to potentially earn a $100 profit from a Manchester City triumph.

In essence, this listing is very similar to a conventional moneyline, with the exception that a tie has no impact on your bet or the sportsbook, resulting in a push. However, Asian handicaps offer a wide range of options, similar to an alternative line that we will discuss shortly. You may come across a series of listings presented in the following format:

There are various possible outcomes for this game that you can place bets on. The challenging aspect, though, is that the listed spreads indicate the point at which neither team is favored. In order for a bet to be successful, the favorite team must surpass the specified spread by a minimum of one goal. The results also vary for ties and are rounded up or down accordingly.

For example, consider the case where Man City is given a 0.25 goal advantage. In this situation, if Man City wins, your bet would be a winner. Conversely, if they lose, your bet would result in a loss. However, due to Manchester’s favored position, a draw would lead to a “half-loss” outcome, entitling you to receive half of your wager amount back.

On the other hand, in order for West Ham bettors to win, the team must secure a victory by a margin of one goal or more, whereas a defeat would result in a loss. However, if the match ends in a draw, bettors would receive a partial win.

Now, let’s consider another listing. In the given scenario where Man City is favored at -0.75, they would need to secure a victory by a margin of two goals for the bet to be successful. This is because, in terms of the spread, it is equivalent to being favored at -1. If they win by only one goal, it would result in a half win, while a tie or a loss would be considered a loss for the bet.

On the other hand, West Ham has the opportunity to bring a complete victory to its bettors by achieving a draw. In the case of a one-goal loss, bettors would only suffer a partial loss, while a two-goal deficit would result in losing the entire amount.

Additionally, it is important to consider the mentioned payouts. Based on the listed information, there is a strong indication that Man City will emerge victorious by a margin of at least two goals, as indicated by the significantly unfavorable payouts.

Betting on soccer using the Asian handicap is less popular compared to the three-way moneyline (also known as 1×2) which includes the possibility of a draw. Nevertheless, if you can accept the unusual payout conditions, wagering on soccer with this method could potentially be a more straightforward option.

Betting the middle with point spreads

Experienced sports bettors, whether in New York or anywhere else around the globe, are constantly seeking chances to make substantial gains while risking minimal losses. And every now and then, within point spreads, a golden opportunity arises that perfectly aligns with their objective. These astute bettors are perpetually vigilant, eagerly awaiting the moment when they can seize the opportunity to bet the middle.

Point spreads, except for the puck/run line cases mentioned earlier, are not usually fixed. It is actually quite common for them to change as bettors make their initial bets. It is important to note that sportsbooks strive to even out the betting on both sides, so if there is an early imbalance, it suggests a potential error in the prediction.

Nevertheless, bettors can exploit the middle within this movement. Conversely, they may also stumble upon middling prospects by exploring diverse sportsbooks, albeit the likelihood of this alternative is lower.

In essence, betting the middle entails placing two distinct point spread bets. These bets will be positioned on opposite sides of the bet, ensuring that you won’t encounter a total loss. Yet, with careful planning, you can potentially secure victories for both bets. Let me explain the process.

Example of betting the middle

Assuming both Team A and Team B are listed at -110, let’s consider a scenario where they are scheduled to play against each other. Although slight adjustments might be made in the calculation due to varying payouts, for the purpose of this discussion, we will stick with this assumption.

The sportsbook releases the point spread a week in advance of the game.

• Team A -6.5      -110
• Team B +6.5     -110

Assuming we are fans of Team B and impressed by their recent performances, we acknowledge that they may not be able to outperform Team A. However, we firmly believe that Team B will not suffer a defeat by a margin greater than six points. Therefore, we decide to place a bet on Team B with a +6.5 point advantage.

It appears that our assessment is not unique. In fact, the experts at the sportsbook suggest that the game will be much more closely contested than initially predicted, with a margin of victory of only 6.5 points. Consequently, the sportsbook decides to alter the spread in favor of Team A, now predicting their victory by a narrower margin of 4.5 points.

Just a reminder, our bet is that Team B will not lose by more than 6.5 points. Additionally, we believe that Team A will win by more than 4.5 points, so we make an equivalent wager on this outcome as well.

As we enter the game, we currently have the following potential results for our bets:

• We secure a victory in our bet on Team A as they surpass Team B by a margin greater than 6.5 points. However, our bet on Team B results in a loss.
• Our bet on Team A is lost, but we win with Team B as they either win or lose by less than 4.5 points.
• Team A defeats Team B by a margin greater than 4.5 points yet less than 6.5 points, enabling us to secure victory in both wagers.

The middle option is the final choice. If Team A wins by a margin of five or six points, we will meet the winning conditions for both of our bets and receive a double payout. However, if we fail to achieve the middle outcome, we will still collect on one bet but only lose the sportsbook’s vig amount.

To put it concisely, taking the middle position can be a clever strategy to minimize risks. It is advisable to seize the opportunity of an early spread listing, place a bet, and observe how the odds fluctuate as the game draws closer. Middling typically results in a slight loss, but it’s a gamble worth taking for the possibility of doubling your payout.

Alternate spread betting explained

You are not obligated by any law to agree with a sportsbook’s predicted margin of victory. If you believe that the advertised spread is incorrect for some reason, and that betting at that position would result in a missed opportunity for value, then alternative spreads may be a suitable option for you.

Here is a listing from BetMGM, for instance.

The spread listing is in the left column as usual. According to BetMGM, St. Bonaventure is considered 1.5-point underdogs to Davidson, with both sides offering the standard -110 payout. However, if you have been closely following the Bonnies all season as a New Yorker, you might be aware that they perform better against teams like Davidson. In such a case, you may have the belief that the Bonnies have an equal chance or even a higher chance of winning. To confirm your thoughts, you navigate to the spreads section of the listings and come across the following information:

You now have various choices available! If you believe the Bonnies will win by a margin of two, you can opt for the standard spread of +1.5, which provides some flexibility in case they fall slightly short. Alternatively, you might consider the -1.5 spread. In this case, instead of placing a bet, you could potentially earn $120 for every $100 wagered.

Alternatively, you might argue that St. Bonaventure appears to be in a decline, suggesting that Davidson will triumph over them by a significant margin. In this case, the options in the right column might be worth considering. Even a slight alteration to a five-point victory for Davidson could result in a potential profit of $145 for every $100 bet.

It goes without saying that opting for an alternative spread would raise your level of risk. Oddsmakers possess remarkable skills in accurately predicting game results. Nevertheless, if you have thoroughly researched a specific team, division, or conference, you may uncover some potential opportunities to gain additional value.

Additionally, it is important to note that the list provided earlier is not exhaustive. BetMGM provides spreads that extend up to 10.5 points for both sides of the bet. Therefore, if you strongly believe that the given margin is significantly inaccurate, you may come across lucrative opportunities aligned with your own estimation. Nevertheless, it is crucial to have a compelling justification for opposing the experts and professional bettors who specialize in sports analysis.

Wrapping up point spread betting

Point spreads are one of the easiest types of sports bets, aside from moneylines. You have two possible outcomes: either the favorite will dominate or the underdog will surprise everyone. It’s up to you to determine which result is more probable. By analyzing statistics, taking expert opinions into account, and trusting your instincts, you can make fairly accurate estimates about the accuracy of the betting line for a game. Many people find success by sticking to the spread, and there’s no reason why you can’t do the same.