Point spread betting is the most popular form of sports betting. For those new to the game, a sportsbook operator provides a spread between two teams playing each other, with the goal from their perspective being to make both teams in the event an attractive a bet as possible.
In a perfect world, the sportsbook operator wants both sides to take an equal distribution of bets. The point spread represents the number of points by which the favorite team is expected to win, or the underdog team is expected to lose.
The goal of point spread betting is to pick the winning team while accounting for the point spread, which adds an element of difficulty to the betting process.
With the long existence of sports betting, but more publicly discussed due to the legalization of sports betting in nearly half the states in the United States, there have been many strategies and philosophies deployed with point spreads to try and beat the bookmakers.
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Point Spread Betting Strategy #1: Buying Points
When customers view a line for an upcoming game or event, they are allowed to pay to adjust the spread in their favor.
Before getting into that, customers must understand point spread betting revolves around key numbers. Pushing a spread over or under a key number in point spread betting can be a long-time determinant of being a successful sports bettor. When betting on football or basketball, there are certain key numbers that games often end on, such as 3, 7, and 10 in football and 5, 7, and 10 in basketball.
Buying points in spread betting can increased the chance of winning or conversely, decrease a customer's chances of losing. For example, if a customer is betting on a team that is favored by 7.5 points, and the half-point 'hook' is bought to reduce the spread to 7 points, this brings the push scenario into the equation, where the bettor would get their money back if the final score was exactly 7 points.
The purchase of a half-point could return the customer's wager stake instead of losing said wager.
Point Spread Betting Strategy #2: Teaser Betting
Instead of purchasing points for a standalone game, teaser betting can manipulate the point spread for at least 2 or more games. Teasers have an increased risk factor because customers now must involve multiple games in comparison to a standalone game.
| Number of teams | 6 points | 6.5 points | 7 points | 10 points |
| 2 | -110 | -120 | -130 | +100 |
| 3 | +160 | +150 | +140 | +120 |
| 4 | +260 | +240 | +200 | +160 |
| 5 | +400 | +350 | +300 | +200 |
| 6 | +600 | +500 | +400 | +300 |
In this example, the left column shows the number of teams included in the teaser bet, while the top row shows the number of points by which the point spread or totals line can be adjusted.
The numbers in the table represent the odds or payout for the teaser bet, with a minus sign indicating that the bettor must risk that amount to win $100, while a plus sign indicates that the bettor will win that amount for a $100 bet.
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Point Spread Betting Strategy #3: Line Movement And When To Use It
The point spread for a game can change over time. This is easier to track for football because of the time between games, but also occurs in other sports when injuries, weather or other breaking news affect the lineups being put out by teams.
As mentioned earlier, the sportsbook operators' goal is to have a balanced book on each side of a spread market. They have a few tools they can use to make sure this happens, which includes changing the spread or changing the odds associated with a spread. the Dolphins, and the sportsbook needs to try and get some more money in on the Jaguars to even things out.
If the New Orleans Saints are 5.5-point favorites against the Minnesota Vikings and too much money is pouring in on the Saints, the sportsbook operators may change the spread to 6 or 6.5 points.
If the Saints wind up winning this contest by 6 points, customers who bet the Saints to cover the spread before the line movement would win their wagers, while customers who bet the Saints later in the week at 6.5 points, will lose their wagers. The timing of placing wagers during a week of line movement is obviously a huge factor in sustained success.
Sharp Money And What To Look For
If customers happen to see a big line movement early in the week, these are most likely from the sharp bettors who are betting large sums of money.
Strategically speaking, this movement lets customers know which side of the bet the smart money is on. It is better to be on the side of smart money than the public money. The timing of placing a wager is important because a customer can find themselves on either side of the aisle depending on when a wager is placed.
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