Explanation of a Pointspread For Sports Betting Purposes

The point spread (referred to as the runline in baseball)Rather than just winning outright, the favorite in the
is the handicap, or head start, that the linesmaker givesbetting must win by more than the point spread
to the underdog. Oddsmakers set the odds in hopes("cover the spread") for bets on the favorite to win.
of getting bets on both sides of the game. ManyLet's say the Oakland Raiders are playing the Dallas
oddsmakers create their own power ratings on eachCowboys in the NFL. The oddsmakers open the line
team and with help from a computer softwarewith the Cowboys being the favorite and the Raiders
program will create a pointspread. Pointspreadbeing the underdog. The linesmaker might decide to
software will factor statistics, weather and injuries togive the Raiders a four-point head start, which would
name a few. Oddsmakers may tweak thelook like this in the Las Vegas or online sportsbook:
computer-generated pointspread on a case-by-caseCowboys -4
basis. Other factors are involved when setting the line.Raiders +4
Often times you will hear references to public teamsIf you bet on the Cowboys, you'll win your sports bet if
when you are in a Las Vegas sportsbook or listeningthe Cowboys win the game by more than four points
to sports betting radio. This is defined as teams who(i.e., if their score is higher even after you subtract four
receive more betting action consistently on their sportspoints from it). If you bet on the Raiders, however, you'll
betting side. You will often see oddsmakers increasewin your bet if they lose by no more than three points
the pointspread on the public teams to help balance(i.e., if their score is higher after you add four points to
the action and to give the sportsbook a better shot ofit). If the final score results in a tie (in this example, if the
beating the public. Sports betting professionals willCowboys win by exactly four points), the wager will
often view online sportsbooks to track the amount betbe graded "Push" and your money will be refunded.
on each team. They want to track the sports bettingHow much you stand to win is determined by the
action in hopes of betting against public teams the nextmoneyline odds attached to the point spread. When no
time they play, as their betting line will be inflated givingodds are listed, the line is standard (i.e., -110) meaning
online or Las Vegas sports betting professionals anyou will have to bet $11 to win $10.
advantage.The moneyline will factor in a payoff if the pointspread
The sportsbook wants to balance each side becauseis set at a key number of 3. Since many close games
Las Vegas and online sportsbook earn a 10%are decided by a field goal Las Vegas and online
commission for taking the sports bet. That's why it willsportsbooks are reluctant to move the line off of 3.
cost you 11 dollars to win 10 dollars when you betInstead the sportsbook will attach a moneyline to the
against the spread in a sportsbook. So if you bet $11game. Often times sportsbook managers will make
on team A to cover the spread and Team A isthe sports bettors pay from $12 to $13 dollars to win
successful you would win back $10 plus receive your$10 on the betting side the sportsbook is getting the
original $11 dollars back for a total of $21. If Team Aheavy action on when the pointspread is set at 3 in a
fails to cover the pointspread you are out of your $11football game. To help meet their projected 4.5%
sports wager. An online or Las Vegas sportsbookreturn on their betting handle sportsbook managers will
projected profit margin is 4.5% of their total sportsmove the line to help balance the betting.
betting handle.