The point spread is also used in other sports like hockey and baseball but is commonly referred to as the “Puckline” and “Runline” in the NHL and MLB.

All they must do for you to win your bet is “cover the spread,” which means they are within the number that is posted. What makes point spreads so much fun for gamblers is that the team you select does not actually have to win the game. On the other side, if you think that the Browns can keep the game close, then you would want to “take the points” and hope the Cleveland will either win outright or lose by 13 pts or less. This example means that if you want to bet on the Patriots, you have to “lay” the points. In order to win the bet, you have to believe the Patriots will win by 14 or more points. Expert linemakers have determined to the best of their abilities that this is the handicap that must be applied in order to even out the game. In this example, the Patriots have been set as a 13.5-point favorite in the game. This is where the point spread comes into play. The Patriots are perceived to be the much stronger team in this matchup so they must be handicapped in some way for bettors to want to take Cleveland. Let’s have a look at a typical point spread, using the NFL as an example.Īt a participating sportsbook, the point spread for a game between the Browns and Patriots might look like this:

The point spread is a wagering option where the favorite is handicapped by a specific number of points. This is the type of betting market that you most often hear about when people talk about football and basketball games. Bet Now & Claim $450 » Understanding The Point Spread

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