What is spread betting football? How to bet the spread in football
In the world of football and betting, the phrase “spread” is no stranger to lovers of these two activities. From matches between teams with different power to different odds, the disparity is often present and creates both opportunities and risks for players. So, what is spread betting football? And will it be beneficial? Let’s find out with premiumsoccertips through the article below!
What is spread betting football?
Handicap betting, also known as point spread betting, is a type of wagering where the bettor places a bet on the point difference between two teams rather than on the outcome of win or loss. The point spread is predicted by the bookmaker, and the bettor must bet on whether the difference will be greater or smaller than the given number.
In this type of betting, the most important thing to understand is the concept of strong and weak teams. Simply put, one team is expected to win, and the other is expected to lose. This is represented in handicap betting by minus and plus signs corresponding to each team, similar to the typical American sports betting odds.
For example, handicap betting may appear like this:
- Team A -5 (Favorite/Expected to win)
- Team B +5 (Underdog/Expected to lose)
In this example, Team A has a value of -5, meaning they are expected to win by more than 5 points. On the other hand, Team B has a value of +5, meaning they are not expected to lose by more than five points.
If Team A scores more than Team B by 6 points, they have “covered the spread,” and anyone betting on Team A will win the bet. If Team A only scores more than Team B by 4 points, then Team B has “covered the spread,” and anyone betting on Team B will win the bet. There’s also a scenario where Team A somehow loses the game, and if they do, Team B has also “covered the spread,” and anyone betting on them will win the bet.
But what happens if Team A wins by exactly 5 points (or in other words, Team B loses by exactly 5 points)? In this case, the result is a “push” or simply a tie. This result is effectively a tie in this type of betting, so the sportsbook will refund the money for all related bets.
How to bet on the spread in football
To bet on the point spread in sports betting, you first need to understand the point spread and how it works. The point spread is a number set by the sportsbook indicating how many points a team is expected to win or lose by. The stronger team will have a negative spread, while the weaker team will have a positive spread.
Here are the steps to bet on the point spread:
- Choose a game: Select the game you want to bet on and find the point spread listed in the sportsbook.
- Choose a side: Decide whether you want to bet on the stronger team or the weaker team.
- Place your bet: Once you’ve decided which team to bet on, place your bet by indicating the amount you want to wager.
- Wait for the game to end: After the game concludes, the final score will be compared to the point spread to determine whether you win or lose the bet.
If the favorite team wins by more than the point spread, then betting on the favorite team wins. If the underdog team wins outright or loses by fewer points than the point spread, then betting on the underdog team wins. If the final score lands exactly on the point spread, the bet is considered a push, and your wager will be refunded.
It’s important to research and consider all factors before betting on the point spread. This may include analyzing team statistics, recent performance, injuries, and weather conditions.
Specialized terminology for what is a spread in betting football
- Point Spread Betting: A bet is considered a win when the team chosen by the bettor must win by more points than the point spread or not lose at all, or win outright after adding the point spread to the final score.
- Against the Spread (ATS) Betting: When a player bets with the symbol (-) for the team they believe is weaker, to win the bet, that team must lose by less than the designated point spread, tie, or defeat the favored team.
- Push: A push occurs when a bet’s game is canceled, and the team you bet on is considered to win exactly with the point spread set for the bet. In this situation, the bet amount will be refunded to the bettor.
- Hook: Similar to a push, a hook occurs when a bet’s game is canceled, and the team you bet on is considered to win exactly with the point spread set for the bet. The bet amount will be refunded to the bettor in this case.
- Run Line/Puck Line: The Run Line is commonly used in baseball with a point spread of +/- 1.5. The Puck Line, on the ice, also has a point spread of +/- 1.5 and is widely used in hockey puck line betting.
- Pick or Pick’em: In Pick or Pick’em betting, the point spread is set at 0, favoring neither team. Bettors only need to choose the betting odds and wager on the team they believe will win.
FAQs about what is a spread in football betting
Why do some teams have higher betting odds than others in a match?
There are several factors that can increase the betting odds for a team, including previous performance, current form, team lineup, as well as factors such as home and away fixtures.
How do bookmakers determine the betting odds for soccer matches?
Bookmakers use data analysis models, statistics, and other factors such as team lineup information, form, and the impact of external factors like weather, venue to determine the betting odds.
What causes significant disparities in betting odds between two teams?
Significant disparities in betting odds may reflect differences in the performance of the two teams, public expectations, and the level of interest from bettors.
Does high betting odds for a team mean they will win?
Not necessarily. While the betting odds may reflect public expectations, they do not directly reflect a team’s likelihood of winning.
Why do some matches have very disparate betting odds?
Significant disparities in betting odds may reflect strong public expectations towards a team, based on factors such as form, previous performance, and other factors.
Conclude
In the world of football and betting, disparity is an integral part. This not only creates opportunities for players to make profits, but also poses challenges and risks. Most importantly, disparities are an integral part of sport’s diverse and unforeseen nature, making football never a completely easy game to predict. Hopefully, through this article, you have a better understanding of what is spread betting football. I wish you every success!
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