Ayrton Oneill
Basketball spread betting is a popular way to bet on both college and NBA basketball. It allows bettors to wager on unevenly matched teams by handicapping the favourite. Spread betting levels the playing field, allowing bettors to pick either side without losing much value on their bet. The point spread is the amount of points, set by a sportsbook, that a team must win by, or stay within, for the bet on that team to pay out. For example, if the Lakers are 3-point favourites (-3) at -115 odds, bettors must bet $10 to win $18.70. However, if the Celtics are +3 on the spread at +120 odds, bettors who risk $10 would win $22.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular type of bet | Betting the point spread |
| Type of sport | Basketball (NBA) |
| Type of betting | Spread betting |
| What is spread betting? | A wager on how many points a team will win or lose by |
| Who can you bet on? | The favorite or the underdog |
| How is the favorite indicated? | "-" before the odds |
| How is the underdog indicated? | "+" before the odds |
| What does the point spread refer to? | The amount of points, set by a sportsbook, that a team must win by, or stay within, for the bet on that team to pay out |
| What is the point spread used for? | To level the playing field and make the game more interesting for bettors |
| What is the best strategy? | Bet early before the numbers settle in |
| What is the most important thing to check before placing a bet? | How a team has been shooting over a week or so |
| What happens if the final score is separated by the exact number of the spread? | The bet is graded as a push, and wagers on both sides of that point spread are refunded |
| What happens if the favorite wins by less than the spread? | The underdog covers the spread and bets on the underdog win |
| What happens if the favorite wins by more than the spread? | The favorite covers the spread and bets on the favorite win |
| What is a back-door cover? | When a favorite of 10 or more points sends in their subs in the fourth quarter, allowing the opponent to cut down the lead |
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What You'll Learn
Point spread betting: the most popular way to wager
Point spread betting is the most popular way to wager on basketball, particularly in the NBA. It is a way of balancing the playing field and making uneven matches more interesting for bettors.
With point spread betting, bettors are wagering on how many points a team will win or lose by. This is the only wager where bettors can bet on a team to lose, and still win their bet if the final score stays within the spread number. For example, if the Lakers are 3-point favourites (-3) at -115 odds, bettors will need to bet $10 to win $18.70. However, if the Celtics were +3 on the spread at +120 odds, bettors who risk $10 would win $22.
The favourite, or the team perceived as the better team, is usually assigned a minus (-) sign before the point spread. The underdog, or the weaker team, is labelled with a plus (+) sign. The favourite must win by more than the spread for bettors who backed them to win their bet. For example, if the favourite is given a spread of -8, they must win by at least 9 points for bettors to be paid out. This is commonly referred to as 'covering the spread'.
The underdog must either win the game outright or lose by less than their point spread number for bettors who backed them to win. For example, if the underdog is given a spread of +8, they must either win the game or lose by 7 or fewer points for bettors to be paid out.
Point spread betting is a popular way to wager on basketball because it adds excitement to the game, with bettors able to back the weaker team and still win, as long as the team keeps the score within the spread number.
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How to read the spread
The point spread is the most popular way to wager when it comes to betting on basketball. It levels the playing field, making even the most mismatched games interesting for bettors.
When reading the spread, the favourite is usually the perceived better team in the game. Backing them means giving up several points. The favourite is always listed with a minus (-) sign before the point spread, while the underdog is labelled with a plus (+) label. The point spread is the amount of points, set by a sportsbook, that a team must win by, or stay within, for the bet on that team to pay out.
For example, if the Lakers are 3-point favourites (-3) at -115 odds, it means you’ll have to bet $10 to win $18.70 on this bet. However, if the Celtics were +3 on the spread at +120 odds, it would mean bettors who risk $10 would win $22.
If the underdog can either win or lose by less than their point spread number, bets on that team’s point spread win. For example, if the Knicks are playing the Miami Heat, the point spread might look like this: Miami Heat -8, New York Knicks +8. In this case, the Heat would have to win by at least 9 for bettors on the Miami Heat at -8 to be paid out. This situation is commonly referred to as covering the spread. For the New York Knicks to cover the spread at +8, the team would have to either win the game outright, or lose by 7 or less.
Be careful with high spreads. Betting on a favourite of 10 or more points can be risky, as teams tend to send in substitutes when up double-digits in the fourth quarter, allowing the opponent to cut down the lead.
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Betting on the underdog
Underdog betting can be a good strategy when there is a chance the underdog team will cover the spread. This can happen if the underdog team keeps the game close and loses by less than the point spread number, or if they pull off an upset and win the game outright.
It's important to note that the point spread is set by sportsbooks to level the playing field and make the game more competitive for bettors, even when the teams are not evenly matched. The point spread is the expected final score difference between the two teams and is represented as both a negative and positive number. For example, if the spread is 3 points, it will be represented as -3 for the favourite and +3 for the underdog.
When considering betting on the underdog, it's crucial to do your research and evaluate factors such as team performance, injuries, and public sentiment, as these can impact the odds. Additionally, keeping an eye on early bird odds and shopping around for the best numbers can be beneficial.
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Betting on the favourite
When it comes to basketball spread betting, the point spread is the most popular way to wager. This is because it levels the playing field between unevenly matched teams by applying a handicap to the favoured team.
The point spread is usually posted around 24 hours before the game but can be as late as the morning of the game. The best way to find market inefficiencies is to bet early before the numbers settle in. However, it is important to shop around and find the best number as not all books are the same.
It is also worth noting that the favoured team does not always win. Underdogs can and do outperform expectations. Therefore, point spreads are not guarantees of a specific outcome but rather predictions.
When placing a spread bet, it is a good idea to check how a team has been performing over a week or so. It is also important to look at factors like home/away records, recent form, and head-to-head history.
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Spread betting strategies
Basketball spread betting is a popular way to bet on basketball, allowing bettors to wager on unevenly matched teams by handicapping the favourite. Spread betting is not just about picking winners, but also accurately gauging the margin of victory. Here are some strategies to consider when spread betting:
- Monitor line movements: Keep an eye out for significant changes in the spread, as this could indicate sharp money or important news.
- Don't overvalue star players: While star players are important, basketball is a team sport. Focus on overall team performance and dynamics rather than individual players.
- Bet early: NBA odds are usually posted around 24 hours before tip-off but can be posted as late as the morning of the game. Betting early can help you find market inefficiencies before the numbers settle.
- Shop around: Not all books are the same. Compare odds using tools to find the best price for your bet.
- Check team form: Look at how a team has been performing over the past week or so. Consider their recent results and whether they are on a hot or cold streak.
- Understand point spreads: Know how point spreads work and how they are determined. Point spreads are set by sportsbooks and are based on various factors, including team strength, recent performance, and the perceived strengths of each team.
- Manage your bankroll: Set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. Only risk a small percentage (typically 1-5%) of your bankroll on any single bet. Adjust your bet sizes based on your perceived edge.
- Home-court advantage: Consider the home-court advantage as many teams perform better when playing in their own arenas.
- Underdog bets: Look for value in underdog bets, especially when the point spread seems too large based on your analysis of the teams' relative strengths.
- Parlay bets: Combine multiple individual wagers into one bet to increase the potential payout. Parlay bets can include a mix of bet types, such as moneylines, point spreads, and totals.
- Teaser bets: A variation of parlay bets that allow you to adjust point spreads or totals in your favour, making it easier to win each leg of the bet.
- Injury reports: Keep an eye on injury reports as injuries can play a significant role in determining a team's success when covering a point spread.
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Frequently asked questions
Spread betting is a way to bet on teams that are not evenly matched. It handicaps the favourite and allows bettors to pick either side without losing much value on the bet.
The point spread is the amount of points, set by a sportsbook, that a team must win by, or stay within, for the bet on that team to pay out. The favourite is assigned a negative number, and must win by more than that number for bets on the favourite to pay out. The underdog is assigned a positive number, and must either win outright or lose by less than the assigned number for bets on the underdog to pay out.
Odds with a minus sign (-) mean you will have to bet more than the initial stake to win that amount. Odds with a plus sign (+) mean you will win more than the initial stake. For example, odds of -115 mean you will have to bet $10 to win $18.70, while odds of +120 mean you will win $22 for a $10 bet.
Spread betting is the most popular way to bet on basketball, but it can be risky. It is recommended to bet early, before the numbers settle, and to shop around to find the best odds. Be careful with high spreads, as favourites may bring in their substitutes if they are far ahead, allowing the opposition to catch up.
