Point betting, also known as spread betting, is a popular form of sports wagering, especially in the United Kingdom. It involves betting on a team to win or lose by a certain number of points, rather than just winning or losing the game outright. This type of betting helps make contests between unevenly matched teams more even and therefore more exciting for bettors. Read on to learn the basics of point betting and how it offers bettors an alternative way to engage with sporting events.
What is Point Betting?
Point betting, sometimes called spread betting or handicap betting, aims to make betting on unequal contests more even and engaging. With this type of wager, bookmakers set a spread or line with a favored team and underdog. Bettors then wager on whether the difference between the final scores will be greater or less than this spread.
For example, in a Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa, Liverpool may be pegged as a 2.5-point favorite. This means that Liverpool must win by 3 points or more to cover the spread. Aston Villa can lose by up to 2 points and still cover. If Liverpool wins by exactly 2 points, it’s considered a push and all bets are refunded.
Setting the Spread
Bookmakers meticulously set betting lines, aiming to attract equal betting volume on both sides of the spread. Setting accurate spreads is crucial to their business. Bettors can gain an advantage over bookmakers by identifying inaccurate spreads and capitalizing on them before the lines move.
The spread aims to even the chances of each team covering the spread at close to 50/50. Factors that influence the spread include team records, injuries, home field advantage, weather, situational factors like rivalry games, and more. Bookmakers constantly adjust spreads as new information emerges.
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | -2.5 |
| Aston Villa | +2.5 |
Betting the Spread
When point betting, your wager doesn’t actually win or lose until the game ends and the final margin is compared to the spread. For example:
- New England Patriots -7 (-110) vs Miami Dolphins +7 (-110)
This means the Patriots must win by more than 7 points to cover. The Dolphins can lose by up to 6 points and still cover. Odds of -110 indicate both sides have equal 10/11 odds (-110 is 91% probability).
You could bet on:
- Patriots -7 (-110): Patriots must win by 8+ points.
- Dolphins +7 (-110): Dolphins can lose by up to 6 points, or win outright.
- The total points scored. This is a separate wager from the point spread.
Bettors can also take advantage of live updated spreads as games unfold. These odds accounts for current scores and game situations.
Benefits of Point Betting
Point spreads help make lopsided matchups more compelling by evening the playing field. Favorites must win big, underdogs can lose but still cover. This benefits bettors in several ways:
- Increases competitiveness – Betting becomes more challenging when teams must cover margins. This makes games more exciting.
- Yields better odds – Spreads allow you to back underdogs at reduced risk, or favor dropping 10 points on a superior team and still winning your bet. This provides higher potential payouts.
- Allows betting on mismatches – Point spreads let you bet on David vs. Goliath matchups while still having a shot at winning.
- Easier to analyze – Spreads let you compare teams based on their margins of victory rather than just wins and losses. This simplifies handicapping.
- Potential for middle bets – If spreads fluctuate, you can bet both sides at different numbers and win both wagers. This limited risk strategy relies on line movement.
While point betting has benefits, like all gambling it also carries inherent risks. No outcome is guaranteed and underdogs don’t always cover even when given a generous cushion. Maintaining disciplined money management and not wagering more than you can comfortably afford to lose is critical.
Different Point Betting Systems
While most point bets pit one team against another with a set handicap, there are some variations:
- Parlay betting – Combining multiple point spread wagers together into a single bet. Payouts rise exponentially but risk is higher.
- Teaser betting – Adjusting the spread yourself by 6,7 or 10 points in any direction to make covering the spread easier. In exchange, payouts are lower.
- Buying points – Paying extra juice (juiced odds) to move the spread half a point or more in your favor to increase your chances of covering.
- Futures betting – Wagering on teams to go over or under season win total spreads set by oddsmakers before the season starts.
How to Be Successful at Point Betting
Consistently winning at point betting requires skill and discipline. Some tips include:
- Shop for the best lines – Compare spreads at multiple sportsbooks to find discrepancies.
- Follow line moves – Significant line movements may reflect valuable betting information.
- Follow roster changes – Injuries, trades and suspensions can impact a team’s ability to cover large spreads.
- Consider situational factors – Divisional rivalries, home/away games and other intangibles influence outcomes.
- Avoid chasing losses – Stick to measured bets instead of impulsive wagers trying to recoup previous losses.
- Manage your bankroll – Bet a small percentage of your bankroll on each wager (e.g. 1-5%) so you can absorb losses.
To wrap it all up, while point betting offers excitement, like all gambling it carries risk. Wager within your means and see spreads as a way to engage more deeply with your favorite sports, not as a means to get rich quick. With disciplined betting, point spreads can make spectating and wagering on sports more thrilling.