Sports betting spread is a smart strategy that helps players take advantage of the difference in odds between bookmakers to ensure profits regardless of the match results. This is a popular betting method, applied by many experienced players to minimize risks and maximize profits. Understanding and using this strategy properly can bring great advantages in sports betting, but also requires knowledge and agility in tracking fluctuations in odds. To help you better understand what is a sports betting spread? How it works and explained. In the following article, Wintips experts will provide full information, let's follow along.
What is a sports betting spread?
Sports betting spread is a unique betting strategy that helps players achieve stable profits regardless of the match results. This method is based on exploiting the difference in odds offered by bookmakers for the same sporting event. By betting on all possible outcomes, players will ensure a win without risk. However, to successfully implement this strategy, players need to be sharp, calculate accurately and have a good understanding of odds.
Each sportsbook usually has its own method of evaluating a match, so the odds between bookmakers can vary significantly. This creates opportunities for those who know how to take advantage of the difference to make a safe profit. Players will bet on different outcomes at bookmakers with the best odds for each scenario. For example, if bookmaker A has good odds for team A and bookmaker B has good odds for team B, you can bet on both sides to ensure you do not lose.
Spread betting is not a form of violation of the law, but it is often restricted or discouraged at some bookmakers. When bookmakers detect that players are using this strategy too often, they may restrict accounts or adjust regulations to prevent it. Therefore, those who participate in arbitrage betting need to know how to handle it delicately to avoid detection, and at the same time choose the right bookmakers for their strategy.
A major challenge of arbitrage betting is that players need to have enough capital to spread their bets evenly while still ensuring profits. Since different odds are often not too different, the profit per bet may not be too high. Therefore, to achieve long-term results, players need to be patient and focus on implementing this strategy over a long period of time.
Thus, arbitrage sports betting is an attractive method for players to make profits without having to face the risk of match results. However, to be successful, players need to be sensitive in monitoring the odds market, careful in betting and an effective capital management plan. If done correctly, spread betting can provide a steady source of income for those looking to get into the professional sports betting industry.
How does the spread work in sports betting
When looking at games with a point spread, you will typically see one team listed as a positive number and one as a negative number.
Let’s take the NFL as an example:
- Pittsburgh Steelers +6.5 (-110)
- Kansas City Chiefs -6.5 (-110)
Let’s start by explaining the “+” and “-” symbols that precede 6.5. You will see both symbols when looking at any point spread game, with “-” indicating the favorite and “+” indicating the underdog.
In this example, the Chiefs are the favorite, with -6.5 indicating that the betting market believes Kansas City will beat Pittsburgh by 6.5 points in this particular game. Betting on the Chiefs at -6.5 means that you need them to beat the Steelers by at least seven points to win the bet.
If KC wins by six points or less — or loses outright — Pittsburgh “covers the spread” and Steelers bettors get paid.
Here are some of the pros and cons of spread betting.
Pros
- Generally better value bets than moneyline bets
- Can add value to parlay bets
- May have higher maximum betting limits
- Adds excitement to games with a clearly better team playing an underdog
Cons
- It can take longer to evaluate a bet
- A winning team in real life doesn’t necessarily win a bet.
How to Read the Spread in Sports Betting
Point spreads have a lot of nuances, so learning how to read them and sports betting spread explained can help you get an edge in your betting strategy. So let’s take a look at what’s involved in reading the spread.
For consistency’s sake, we’ll continue to use the Steelers-Chiefs example. Here’s what we know:
- The Chiefs are the heavy favorites, expected to beat Pittsburgh by about a touchdown.
- Kansas City bettors know that their team is theoretically down 6.5-0.
- Steelers bettors are hoping that, by the end of the game, the Chiefs won’t be able to make up that 6.5-point deficit.
You can think of the point spread as “fantasy points” to help you visualize. When the game ends, you apply the fantasy points to the final score to see if your bet won or lost.
If you bet on the Steelers, you would add 6.5 to their final total. If you bet on the Chiefs, you would subtract 6.5 from their total. Here are some hypothetical outcomes and how the spread is calculated:
- Steelers win, 30-27: The Steelers cover the spread. In fact, they don't even need fantasy points — they win outright, which in betting parlance is called a "reversal."
- Chiefs win, 30-24: The Chiefs win the game, but Pittsburgh covers the spread because their loss margin is only 6.5 points.
- Chiefs win, 28-14: The Chiefs win and cover the spread, as their 14-point margin of victory easily covers the 6.5-point spread.
As the second example above makes clear, if you bet on the underdog — again, the team with the “+” symbol — that team doesn’t necessarily have to win the game on the scoreboard for you to win the bet.
This is one reason why many professional bettors tend to target the underdog, in addition to the general public’s tendency to bet on the favorite regardless of the point spread.
Can you win money on spread betting?
The answer is yes, you can win money on spread betting. However, there are a few easy strategies you can implement right away to help you win money.
Shopping Lines
If you are in a state with multiple sportsbooks, we recommend you take a close look at each one to see which one offers the best value based on the type of bet you want to place. This will not only give you more options, but it will also optimize your chances of getting a higher return.
Whether it is finding a better spread or adding 0.5 or a full point to the spread, this is a smart strategy to help you find the most attractive bets. Taking advantage of these small differences can add up to a big advantage in the long run, especially if you bet frequently.
Looking at Alternative Spreads
Alternative line betting may not be available at all sportsbooks, but it is something to consider. With this type of bet, you can bet on different spreads with the line value reflecting that change. You can sacrifice some line value for an extra point or two.
Leverage Bonus Offers
Most online sportsbooks offer a variety of bonuses or promotions. From no deposit bonuses, deposit bonuses, free bets to “risk-free” bets, these offers help players experiment and explore bets they might not have considered before. This is a great way to take advantage of new betting opportunities without having to worry about losing too much money.
Some promotions are also linked to specific bets, requiring players to participate in certain events or bet types. Taking part in these promotions not only increases your chances of winning, but is also a great way for players to expand their betting strategies, especially when trying out markets or events they are unfamiliar with.
Conclusion
So, sports spread betting is a smart strategy that helps you maximize your chances of winning and minimize your risks. By doing your research and taking advantage of small differences in odds from different bookmakers, you can maximize your profits in the long run. However, it is important to stay calm, stay informed and not let emotions dictate your decisions. With proper preparation and planning, spread betting can be an effective tool to increase your chances of success in sports betting. Good luck!
See more: Parlay Sports Betting: What It is and How It works
