When you see the “+” or “-” number next to a favorite, you should look at the number next to the (-). This number will tell you how much the favorite is worth. If the favorite is favored by a lot, a bet on her might win you more money than a bet on a team that is favored by just a few points. However, the sportsbooks may not view this number as a strong favorite and view it as a toss-up.
How to win a point spread wager
For the newbie sports bettor, point spread wagers can be intimidating. This is because the point spread, also known as the moneyline, isn’t always the same for both teams. It’s simply a way for bookmakers to even out matchups by assigning more or fewer points to a team’s final score. In general, though, point spread wagers tend to pay out more consistently than other kinds of wagers.
You can learn the basic points of point spread betting by comparing the odds of the two teams. Most sportsbooks use moneyline odds, which are also called American odds. The odds format may vary between sports books, so be sure to check with the sports book to see if the sportsbook offers decimal odds.
Another important aspect is knowing when to place a bet. If you’re betting on a game with a point spread, you should check the spread before placing a wager. Make sure the team you’re betting on covers the spread. For example, if the Raptors are favored by 1.5 points, that means it’s a potentially tight game. The Raptors fail to cover the spread and lose the game 100-98. In this scenario, the Raptors would have won the game, but the result is a disappointment.