How to Bet on the Spread: Spread Betting Explained

It is important that you master the basic concept of point spread betting if you hope to earn a profit when wagering on football or basketball. This popular Online Betting 101 page explains what spread betting means and how to bet on the spread.

Spread Betting 101

The point spread arises when the online sportsbooks give a handicap to the team that they think is the strongest.

For example, let’s say the Philadelphia 76ers are the heavy favorites at -375 to beat the New York Knicks, and the Knicks are the +280 underdogs.

In that case, we would expect the 76ers to be made into the 8.5-point favorites for the game. The 8.5-point gap between the two teams is known as the spread. You can then predict which team will cover it.

The odds on either team covering the spread are normally -110. If you bet on Philadelphia to cover, it needs to win by 9 or more points. That makes it harder, but you get a much better payout at -110 than -375.

If you bet on the Knicks, they can win or lose the game by up to 8 points. That makes it easier, but you get a smaller payout at -110 than at +280.

How to Place a Point Spread Bet

Decide which team you think will cover the spread and click on that team. Your selection will then pop up on the bet slip.

You can type in the amount you would like to wager, and it will tell you the profit and return you stand to earn. For example, if you bet $110 and odds of -110, you would earn a $100 profit and a $210 total return if your team covered the spread. The winnings will go into your account balance if you make the correct decision.

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