Point Spread Betting Explained

All sports betting sites in New Jersey let you bet the point spread today. Back the underdog or favorite in leagues like the NFL, NHL, and MLB and go with your gut instinct for the best payouts!

What is Point Spread Betting?

A spread is a bet on the number of points a team or player is likely to win by. In most sports it is called the point spread. However, the term is different for hockey and baseball. 

You can bet on the spread pregame or live in-play. It is a good alternative to the more rigid moneyline bet, especially if you believe one team has a solid chance of a victory. 

How to Bet on the Point Spread

All New Jersey betting sites and mobile sportsbooks such as BetMGM Sports offer odds on the point spread. You can find markets on a range of sports, including hockey and football. Essentially, you need to know which team is marked as the favorite and which is the underdog. 

Point Spread

In a game of football or hockey, each team scores points. With a moneyline bet, you are wagering simply that either side will win. 

In a point spread, however, you are betting on the favorite or underdog that they will win after being assigned either a points handicap or advantage. The sportsbook will assign the favorite a points handicap and the underdog a points advantage. You then place a bet on whether you think the favorite will win with their handicap applied, or the underdog loses by fewer than the point spread. 

Point Spread Betting Example:

Denver Broncos @ Philadelphia Eagles
Broncos +3.0 @ +105
Eagles -3.0 @ -110

The underdog Broncos are given a 3.0-point advantage in the spread. The final score is 21-20 to the Eagles. However, with the Broncos’ 3-point advantage they cover the spread and you win the bet. 

Run Line Spread

The Run Line spread is used in baseball betting. The spread is normally a lot tighter than in NFL to reflect the smaller winning margins. Typically, for example, an New Jersey sportsbook like bet365 will list the Run Line Spread as -1.5/+1.5

Puck Line

The Puck Line is the point spread term in hockey. Similarly, each side will be assigned a point handicap/advantage. You place a bet on which team will win with their assigned points adjustment. 

The Push

Some point spread bets will result in a ‘push’. This is where the scores are tied after the spread has been applied. In this case the original wager is returned to you. 

More Point Spread Online Wagers

Online and mobile sportsbook apps in New Jersey don’t only offer straight point spread markets. You can also adjust the markets in your favor. Let’s take a closer look. 

Teasers

Teaser are bets that allow you to adjust the point spread on several teams at once. It’s a good option if you don’t like the look of the sportsbook’s own point spread. Teasers are available for two or more teams. 

Typically, there is a fixed number of points for all selections on your bet slip. For example, on an NFL bet you can adjust the spread by 6, 6.5, or 7 points. Some sportsbooks offer Super Teasers with 10-point spreads, and Monster Teasers with 13-point spreads.  

Points betting

Points betting is a type of spread betting available at PointsBet Sportsbook NJ. It is different from traditional fixed odds betting in that you win money for every point that you’re right. For example, you may bet $10 a unit on the favorite winning above the point spread. If your team wins by five points, you win $50. 

Best Point Spread Sportsbooks for NJ