When it comes to betting on basketball, one of the most popular ways to do it is by engaging in some point spread betting. Online is the most popular form of basketball betting because it allows bettors to place bets on either team in the game on a level playing field, even if one team is significantly better than the other.
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What Is Point Spread Betting?
Every basketball game is a battle between two teams. And as seen with other team sports, it’s usually the case that one of those teams is expected to win or is at least deemed the more likely winner. So, this will naturally be reflected by the odds offered by online sports book operators. However, what if there was a way to make it possible to level out the playing field?
That’s where point spread betting comes in. Sportsbook operators recognise that one team is going to be favoured over the other in terms of the likelihood of them winning, so they handicap the favourite. But, what they also do is provide a boost of sorts for the ‘underdog’, and this is the whole idea of point spread betting, as it effectively makes the two teams even.
So, if a bettor is placing a bet on the team that is considered the favourite to win, they will be betting on that team to win by X number of points. And, if they’re wagering on the opposing team and the one deemed less likely to win, they will be betting on them staying within a particular points range.
Example of Point Spread Betting
The LA Lakers are set to face off against the Denver Nuggets in the coming weeks, and the latter are tipped to win the contest in the NBA odds. Therefore, as they’re considered the team that should be victorious, there is a -5.0 next to their name where point spread betting is concerned. And, for the Lakers, it’s +5.0.
So, this means that if a punter was to place a bet on the Nuggets, they will need them to win clear of the five-point deficit applied to win the bet. And, if a punter was to take on the Lakers spread, they require them to stay within the five-point buffer provided by the sports betting operator.
The Nuggets and the Lakers last faced off in May, with the scoreline ending 113-111 in favour of the Nuggets. If the same point spreads were provided, those who bet on the Nuggets would have lost because the scoreline would have been 108-111 Lakers. And, anyone who bet on the Lakers would have won because the scoreline on the flip side would have been 113-116 Lakers.
What Is A Push?
A push is essentially when the scoreline is a match between the point spreads offered match on both sides. So, in essence, it’s a draw. This can occur when the point spread is a round number, such as the 5.0 mentioned above. And when this does happen, bets on both sides would be refunded. A way that sports betting companies negate the risk of a push is to offer .5 point spreads, as it’s then impossible for a push ever to occur.
Conclusion
Basketball betting is hugely popular, and point spread betting is and will continue to be the way to go for many. It allows bettors to place bets on either team rather than seeing it as an uneven battle between the two. This is undoubtedly advantageous if somebody wants to place a wager on the team they support against an opposing team believed to be more likely to win. Before placing your bet, remember to visit our Safer Gambling Portal to learn more about responsible gaming.
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