How to Understand a Point Spread
Understanding a point spread is the first step to learning about sports betting and how to become a successful sports gambler. Point spreads are used in nearly every sport and every line and knowing them could be the difference between winning or losing your money. To learn how to understand a point spread, follow these steps.
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Instructions
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Go to your local sportsbook or open an account at an online sportsbook. There will be a board or a webpage with the different teams playing in various sports for the current day. Study the board.
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2
Choose the sport you would like to play and the game you want to bet. To the right of the names of the teams you want to bet will be positive and negative numbers. In some sports, the word "Even" might be displayed next to the team. These are the point spreads.
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Determine the favorite by looking for the team with a negative number by it. This number is the amount the team has to win by to at least get a push, which will give you your money back. The team must score more than that number for a win.
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Determine the underdog by finding the team with a positive number next to it. That number is how many points the underdog has to start the game. For example, if you're betting the Cowboys +7 over the Rams, then in terms of betting, the Cowboys start the game up 7-0. To win the bet, the Cowboys can lose, but not by more than seven.
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Decide whether you're going to take the favorite or underdog.
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Place your bet.
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Tips & Warnings
The point spreads will differ depending on the sport. For example, football point spreads will usually be displayed in increments of three or seven. Baseball and hockey point spreads will usually be displayed as one and a half. Basketball point spreads can be any number.
