A final score of Bears 21-Buccaneers 27 would mean the Bears covered the spread. In order for that bet to pay out, the Bears must either win or lose by fewer than 14 points. Oddsmakers give the Bears 14 “extra” points to add to their total. In this case, the Bears are expected to lose by 14 points or so. For example, you might see bets listed that look like so: In point spread betting, the underdog team is given extra “phantom” points. Point spreads are fun for savvy bettors because they even the playing field. You’re betting on that team to win straight up.
Overall, moneylines are simple to understand at a baseline level. A mismatched game may see the underdog with long odds (and a huge potential payout) while the favorite has short odds (expected to win, but with a low attached payout). Moneylines are among the first bets listed when you click on a specific game in a sportsbook, usually accompanied by point spreads and totals (more on those below).īecause matches can be relatively uneven, moneyline bets vary in the odds they give. Moneyline bets are the simplest you can find. You won’t need to remember all the details of each one, but again, it helps to have a general understanding as you’re sifting through lines to find your ideal bet. Here, we’ll outline all the main betting types you’ll find at legal sportsbooks.
