Reading a point spread is essential for participating in American football betting.
The sportsbook creates a handicap for balance when it publishes the odds for two teams. The public’s favorite team is represented with a negative number on the spread (-6.5). The underdog team is represented with a positive number (6.5). The number represents how many points the favorite team must win by or how many points it can lose to cover the spread.
An NFL Point Spread Example
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears match up. The Chicago Bears are the underdogs (+6.5) while the Philadelphia Eagles are the favorite (-6.5). The Eagles must win by 7 points or more to cover the spread.
A bet on the Bears pays out if they win or lose by up to 6 points. Bets on Bears can also pay out if the Eagles win by exactly because it still falls in the spread.
Sportsbooks Use Half-Points
Sportsbooks utilize half-points as a hook. These decimal numbers prevent a push that happens when the teams tie during the game. A clear winner or loser can be decided against the spread. A bettor who wagered on a favorite team winning by 7 with the spread being at -7 would need their money reimbursed. Sportsbooks prefer to avoid this scenario, so the hook ensures a true winner is selected.
Which Team Is the Favorite?
The favorite team will have a negative number on the point spread. Sometimes totals or moneylines will be next to these numbers. However, the minus sign is the telltale display of which team is expected to win in a matchup.
What If Line Movement Changes the Spread?
The spread can shift due to unexpected changes. Star players sustaining injuries on the favorite team could lower the chance of them winning. A rain or snow shower can make the field wet, causing players to be careful of their footing. Public betting trends and sharp money in the market can also influence line movement. A spread that moves from -3 to -4.5 on a team shows more bets being placed on the favorite team. This line movement could also mean that the conditions changed for the match.
Why New Bettors Should Start With Point Spreads
Point spreads provide clearer win conditions than moneylines because of the hook involved with the decimal number. They also offer better value when games involve mismatched teams. These betting tools are easier to predict than prop bets or parlays. Point spreads are also important for teaching bettors how the markets perceive different teams’ strengths. As you build more understanding, the overall concept of football betting will get easier.
Final Tips for Beginning Football Bettors
Bet based on the margin within the point spread. Going by an emotional gut feeling of which team will win can cause issues. Ensure to start with games and teams you have more knowledge of. A die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan should place wagers on that team until they learn more about the other teams.
Closer points spreads are easier to start betting on than the huge ones. For example, don’t try betting on point spreads featuring -10.5 and +13.5. Keep it to smaller spreads until you master them (-4.5 and +7.5).
Try not to bet on all the games during Sunday football. Pick at least one game featuring a team you know most about. Compare point spreads across multiple sportsbooks to make the best betting decision. Find a sportsbook that provides a point spread in your favor.
