The point spread number in any game/event is always the same for both teams. That number, established by oddsmakers, is called the point spread.Ĭonversely, if you bet on the team that starts from behind, you’re betting on the favorite, which needs to win by a margin greater than the point spread to cash your wager. The idea is simple: If you wager on the team receiving the head start, you’re wagering on the underdog and hoping for one of two results: Either the team wins outright, or it keeps the final margin within a specific number of points/runs/goals. In sports betting, this head start comes in the form of points (football, basketball), runs (baseball), goals (soccer, hockey), strokes (golf) and games or sets (tennis). Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.Ī point spread is nothing more than a bookmaker giving one team (or player) a head start in a game or event. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers.

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