Once punters have wrapped their heads around “evening the odds” with a positive or negative amendment to the overall scoreline, a spread betting strategy becomes even easier to understand and implement.
This is exactly what we aim to achieve in this guide. To begin, we break down the basics of spread betting, covering how the spread bet works and where it is most effective. From here, we discuss a few simple strategies, offer up some top tips, and ultimately decipher when to bet on the spread.
The spread bet is often linked with the ever-popular moneyline bet; however, there are a few key differences. Although punters will still need to decide on an outright winner of an event, there is a positive or negative amendment to the final number of goals or points scored in order to help even the odds.
This usually means that the favorite will have points or goals taken away from the final score, and the underdogs will have points or goals added. We’re sure that many of our readers will be thinking that this sounds an awful lot like the Asian handicap; however, a draw is still a possible outcome with a traditional spread bet. With Asian handicap, this possibility is completely removed.
For some of our more seasoned readers, we are confident that the above will be enough to fully get to grips with all that spread betting has to offer. However, we’ve got some real-world examples and explanations lined up for those still wondering what this looks like in practice.
In this first example, we will be looking at a match between the LA Chargers and the Detroit Lions. Both are coming into this game having had a great last season, so it is unsurprising to see quite a tight spread here.
Above, we clearly see that it is expected to be a close encounter based on the minimal 1.0 points advantage or disadvantage applied. This was enough to “even the odds” (or as close as) for punters.
Those placing bets on either team will need to bear the 1.0 point difference in mind when the final score comes around. For instance, if the LA Chargers score 30 points, punters can add the additional point to make it 31. This could be critical in the event of a tie and lead to a winning bet.
For those betting on the Detroit Lions, a win of 32-30 is essential for this to be considered a winning wager. A tied game would result in a loss, and a 31-30 win would leave this one as a draw. In the event of a draw, most online bookmakers will return your initial bet – something that differs from Asian handicap betting.
In this next example, we focus on the Maple Leafs and the Sabres. Here, we can see that the Maple Leafs are clear favorites, requiring a -2.0 goal difference to “even the odds”.
Those betting on the Maple Leafs must see them win by three or more goals, and those betting on the Sabres must see them lose by less than two goals, draw, or win. All other outcomes, bar a loss of exactly 2 goals, will result in a loss.
Much like the first example, this spread bet will also allow for a draw to take place. Unless punters have bet on the draw directly, any instances of the points advantage or disadvantage leading to a draw will see the initial stake returned.
This final example is considered a spread bet but would also be deemed an Asian handicap as the possibility of a draw is removed from the equation.
With this one, punters can bet on Liverpool to win with a -1.5 goal disadvantage. This bet will be considered a winner if Liverpool wins by more than 2 goals only. Any other outcome will result in a loss.
Those betting on Leicester City will have a 1.5-goal advantage. This means that Leicester City can win, draw, or even lose by 1 goal and still win this match. As established, the additional 0.5 in this spread removes the draw option completely, meaning that it could be considered as an Asian handicap.
Next, we want to expand on the spread betting examples and focus on building a solid spread betting strategy. Of course, we can’t guarantee any wins, but we can ensure that our readers are armed with as much knowledge as possible.
The first top tip we want to share with everyone is to check the bonus terms. Our avid readers will notice that our dedicated reviews cover this in great detail; however, that certainly doesn’t mean that things can’t change. A quick two-minute scan through the fine print is enough to confirm which betting markets are eligible.
Although the spread provides punters with a better understanding of favourites and underdogs, the odds alone aren’t really enough to place a bet. There could have been an influx of punters betting with their hearts, and full line-ups may not have been released just yet, so we would always suggest that punters focus on what they already know. This way, their own knowledge and understanding will be enough to confirm whether the odds being offered are fair and reflective of the current position.
As we touched upon when building a strategy around over/under betting markets, the head-to-heads play a crucial role in spreads. Here, punters can soon figure out track records and build a better understanding of past performances and results. From this, it is much easier to better predict whether the spread is a worthwhile option.
Although online bookmakers often roll out competitive odds at the start of the week, it doesn’t take long for things to level out according to the market. This, of course, will soon alter when lineups, injuries, or any other critical news is released. With this in mind, we would suggest punters lock in their odds as soon as markets open or wait for opportunities during the week, as important news drops.
As with any prop betting strategy, a cash out doesn’t mean that a spread bet has failed. In fact, it can sometimes be worthwhile cashing out early doors. This is especially true if a spread bet is currently coming in, but it looks as though a shift in momentum is slowly starting to take place.
Spread betting is a type of sports betting market that aims to even the odds by adding or removing points or goals based on current form. The underdogs will receive a boost, and the favourites will have points or goals taken away.
When it comes to implementing a spread betting strategy, it is important for punters to focus some time on researching current form, head-to-heads, and the latest news, instead of simply following the market. It is also crucial to consider the timing of each spread bet, as odds are most favourable at the release of each market and after any critical event has taken place leading up to it. Of course, we would also suggest making use of our reviews to find a site that offers competitive odds from the off and any bonuses that can be used alongside a spread betting strategy.
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