In sports betting, a point spread is used to even out the playing field between two unevenly matched teams.
When you see a “-4” point spread, it means that the team favored to win (the favorite) must win by more than four points for a bet on them to pay out.
How does this affect your betting strategy?
Understanding the point spread is crucial to your betting strategy. If you believe the favorite can win by more than the spread, you would bet on them.
However, if you think the underdog can keep the game closer than the spread or win outright, you would bet on them.
It’s all about predicting the margin of victory or defeat.
Let’s put this into perspective with a real-world example of a $100 bet
Let’s say Team A is favored to beat Team B and has a -4 point spread. If you bet $100 on Team A, they need to win by more than 4 points for you to win your bet.
If Team A wins by exactly 4 points, the bet is considered a “push”, and your money is refunded.
If Team A wins by less than 4 points or loses the game, you lose your bet.
When should you consider this type of bet?
Point spread bets are ideal when you believe the game won’t be a blowout and the final score will be close.
They can also be a good choice when you’re confident in an underdog’s ability to keep the game close, even if they don’t win outright.
Finding the spreads with the most profitable odds
Tools like OddsJam can help you find the most profitable spreads by comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks.
It’s a great way to ensure you’re getting the best possible return on your bets.
Remember, even small differences in odds can add up over time, so it’s worth taking the time to compare before placing your bet.