How to bet against the spread in football for new players

In the football betting market, handicap points have become one of the most popular methods to place bets. However, for some players, confronting the handicap can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, there are several strategies and techniques that players can apply to combat handicaps and increase their chances of winning. This article will premiumsoccertips.net introduce some effective ways to bet how to bet against the spread in football.

Learn about how to bet against the spread in football

What is a point spread bet?

The point difference bet is intended to level the playing field between two mismatched teams. Instead of picking a team to win outright like when you bet on the moneyline, with spread betting, the odds of winning will determine the outcome of your bet.

The spread is sometimes considered a great equalizer because it is designed to turn every match into a 50/50 bet. It’s important to remember that even if your team wins the game, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve won the spread bet.

As we explained about moneyflow betting, a negative score (-) indicates a stronger team and a positive score (+) indicates a weaker team. To “cover the spread”, the favorite team must win more points than the difference, while the weaker team must not lose more points than indicated.

Pros and cons of spread betting

Like all types of bets, there are pros and cons to why you might want to bet on the point spread. We’ve highlighted some of these below.

Advantages of betting against the point spread

Expanded betting options: Betting on the point spread opens up your betting options beyond just picking the game winner. It adds more excitement and strategy to your betting experience.
Balanced betting odds: The point spread is designed to level the playing field and create more balanced betting odds between the strong and weak teams. This can create opportunities for bettors to find value on both sides of the bet.
Risk reduction: Betting against the point spread can help minimize risk by providing a cushion. Even if the team you’ve chosen doesn’t win outright, they can still cover the spread and lead to a winning bet.
Higher potential payouts: Successfully predicting the performance of teams relative to the point spread can result in higher payouts compared to simply betting on the moneyline. This is especially true when betting on underdogs with a significant point spread or favorites to win by a considerable margin.
Strategic opportunities: Examining how teams perform relative to the point spread enables the identification of patterns, trends, and possible advantages. This analysis aids in making well-informed betting choices and exploiting advantageous betting opportunities.

Disadvantages of betting against the point spread

Increased complexity: Betting on the point spread adds additional complexity to your betting. Predicting a team’s performance relative to the point spread requires deeper analysis of various factors, including team strength, playing style, and win rates.
Lower odds and payouts: Compared to betting on the moneyline, ATS (Against the Spread) betting often offers lower odds and payouts. Sportsbooks adjust the lines to balance betting action, resulting in reduced potential profits.
Higher margin of error: The point spread introduces a margin of error into your betting predictions. Even if you correctly pick the winning team, they still have to cover the spread for your bet to be successful. This adds an additional challenge and increases your risk of losing the bet.
Unpredictable backdoor covers: Backdoor covers occur when a team scores late in the game to cover the spread, despite trailing for most of the game. These unexpected outcomes can lead to frustrating losses for bettors.
Vulnerable to line movements: The point spread can be influenced by line movements, especially due to betting volume and sharp bettors. This means the spread may change before you place your bet, potentially impacting the value or attractiveness of the bet.

How to bet against the spread in football

Betting against the point spread in football is a betting strategy where you pick a team that you believe will win or draw, instead of betting on the handicap (spread) that the bookmakers offer. This means that the team you choose must win or draw for you to win the bet.

Here are some ways to do this:

Understand the point spread: It’s important to understand the point spread that is being offered. The point spread can be a specific number or part of a match, for example, +1, +1.5, -0.5, etc.
Select the weaker team: When you feel that a weaker team has the potential to win or draw against a stronger team, you can choose to bet against the point spread for the weaker team.
Gather information and statistics: Research information about both teams and their previous matches to make informed decisions. Statistics on head-to-head history, recent form, player transfers, and other factors can help you make more accurate predictions.
Monitor changes in the spread: The spread can change based on the money wagered on each side. If you notice a significant change in the spread, it could be a sign of a shift in public opinion or information that you may want to reconsider your prediction.
Risk and financial management: As with any type of bet, risk management is key. Don’t bet too much money on a single match or bet against the point spread if you’re not confident.

What can change the point spread?

The point spread can change based on various factors. Public bettors can cause bettors to change their betting odds depending on where the money is going. Injuries, weather reports, and other external factors can also play a role.

Sportsbooks will adjust the betting lines if one side receives a large amount of betting or if a key player misses the game.

For example: Suppose Dak Prescott gets injured a few days before facing the Bears. Dallas will lose their starting QB; therefore, their offensive performance will struggle to score points.

Bettors will adjust the betting odds to give Dallas a more achievable profit margin. It may decrease to -2.5, meaning the Cowboys don’t need to win by a 5-point margin anymore but just by 1 point.

Note, look for sportsbooks that offer spreads at -105 rather than the usual -110. It’s a way to earn a little extra profit, which is something we all desire. Some sportsbooks sometimes offer point spreads paying +100.

This is called betting even money, meaning the payout if your team ties the amount wagered.

Find out what can change the point spread

Betting strategy against handicap in football

If used correctly, betting against the spread can be one of the most lucrative markets. In this section, we have introduced ATS betting strategies that not only help maximize winnings from the market but also, more importantly, limit losses.

Research and Analysis: Conduct comprehensive research on teams, covering their performance, statistics, injury status, recent form, and head-to-head matchups. Evaluate variables like home/away performance, playing styles, and coaching tactics. The greater the amount of information gathered, the more prepared you’ll be to make educated betting choices.
Monitor Line Movements: Keep track of line movements leading up to the game. This can provide deep insights into how the betting public and sharp bettors are influencing the line. If you notice significant line movements, investigate the reasons behind them and determine if they align with your analysis. Consider capitalizing on favorable movements (providing more points than you believe is fair) if it fits your research.
Awareness of Key Numbers: Familiarize yourself with key numbers in the sport you are betting on. For example, in football games, key numbers are often 3 and 7 due to scoring structures. Consider exploring these significant numbers or seek opportunities when the line crosses them. Awareness of key numbers can help you identify favorable betting situations.
Bankroll Management: Implement a robust bankroll management strategy to protect your funds and maintain discipline. Set budgets for your betting activities and avoid disproportionately large bets on a single game. Consider using a percentage-based method where you wager a fixed percentage of your bankroll for each bet. This strategy helps minimize losses in losing streaks and ensures a sustainable betting approach.
Track and Evaluate Performance: Maintain a log of your wagers and consistently assess your outcomes. Evaluate your victories, defeats, and overall performance to pinpoint trends, strengths, and areas for improvement. Identify the most effective strategies for your style and adapt your tactics accordingly. Continuously glean insights from past bets and refine your approach based on data to enhance your long-term success significantly.

Conclusion

Fighting the handicap in football can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By applying smart strategies and how to bet against the spread in football effectively, players can increase their chances of winning and achieving positive results in the world of football betting. However, the most important thing is patience, consistency and the ability to learn from unexpected betting results.