| The first step to learning about sports betting is | | | | win his bet if: Philly wins the game by any amount |
| to understand point spreads. Most people are | | | | of points or Philly loses the game by less than 7 |
| intrigued by betting lingo but lack the basic | | | | points. |
| understanding of what it all means. Below we will | | | | There is also the chance that the final score could |
| explain point spreads and we will then be on our | | | | land exactly on the spread number (example: the |
| way to the fun world of sports betting! | | | | Eagles win 28-21 when -7) which is called a "push" |
| What is a Point Spread? | | | | or "no action" and a refund is then issued to the |
| In any basketball or football game there are two | | | | bettors on both teams. |
| teams that are playing against one another. Those | | | | The same game and point spread can be |
| teams are rarely exactly matched - meaning that | | | | considered from the weaker team's perspective - |
| typically one team will have a better chance at | | | | the Underdog (the Eagles in our example) is not |
| winning the game then the other one will. If | | | | expected to win the game and therefore |
| bettors were permitted to bet on who was | | | | receives or "gets" points given to them by the |
| simply going to win, the smart bettors would of | | | | stronger team. When a game is stated from the |
| course bet on the better team which would likely | | | | Underdogs perspective, the team is listed with a |
| win more than 50% of the time in the process. | | | | plus sign along with the number of points they are |
| If winning were that easy for everyone - Las | | | | underdogs by (example: Eagles +7 vs. New York |
| Vegas sportsbooks would stop taking any bets! | | | | Giants). |
| This is where the point spread comes in place. | | | | Please keep in mind that Philly has +7 and New |
| The basic function of the point spread is to help | | | | York has -7 is the same point spread on the |
| balance the likelihood of each team winning by | | | | same game but it is simply stated differently. |
| adjusting the final score by the point spread. | | | | Mathematical Conclusions |
| After this adjustment, you get the Against the | | | | For some a mathematical approach is helpful. You |
| Spread result (ATS result for short). | | | | can determine the ATS winner by subtracting the |
| How to Read the Point Spread | | | | point spread from the favorite's score (the minus |
| New York Giants -7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles | | | | sign before the number) and then compare it to |
| The better team, referred to as the Favorite is | | | | the underdogs score. Or by adding the point |
| expected to win the game and must "give" or | | | | spread to the underdogs scores (the plus sign |
| "lay" points to the weaker team. The favorite is | | | | before the number) and then compare to the |
| listed with the minus sign along with the number | | | | favorites score. |
| of points they are favored. | | | | And now we hope that you understand how to |
| In the above example the New York Giants must | | | | read point spreads, arming you with information |
| not only win the game, but they must win the | | | | and putting you one step closer to joining the fun |
| game by more than 7 points for Eagle bettors to | | | | of sports betting. |
| have a winning ATS result. An Eagles bettor will | | | | |