The Point Spread Betting Handbook
Keen on spicing up your sports bets? Point spread betting, a favourite in online sportsbooks, lets you wager on major sports with a tap. It's a thrilling way to amplify the excitement when watching your favourite teams battle it out – think of it as an extra "shiok" factor!
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of online sports betting, this guide breaks down the basics of point spreads. Learn how they work, understand the odds, and discover how to place your bets with confidence. Get ready to level up your betting game!
We'll cover everything from understanding point spread bets to deciphering odds and placing your bets. From understanding odds to placing your bets – let's get started!
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Point Spread Bets Explained for Singaporean Players
In sports, teams and individual players aren't always evenly matched in terms of skill or performance. Sometimes, the gap is quite evident when they face off. This is precisely where and why the spread bet becomes essential in the exciting world of sports betting, especially for enthusiasts in Singapore.
Spread betting is one of the most popular sports betting types particularly in basketball and American football. To level the playing field and increase the thrill for gamblers, sportsbooks and bookies create point spreads. These add allure to both the favourite (more likely to win) and the underdog (less likely to win). Essentially, point spread bets give the better team a handicap by setting a margin they must win by. Conversely, the underdog gets an advantage, allowing them to lose by a certain number of points and still "cover the spread."
New to betting? The concept might sound tricky, but it's quite straightforward. Let's break it down with a simple example.
When you see a point spread listed, you'll notice a number next to each team. This is the point spread, often accompanied by a minus (-) or plus (+) sign.
- The minus (-) sign indicates the team favoured to win.
- The plus (+) sign indicates the team considered the underdog.
Let's imagine an NFL match is on the cards, and the point spread looks like this:
- Rams -5.5 (must win by 6 or more points)
- Bengals +5.5 (can win or lose by 1 to 5 points)
Now, let's say the game concludes with the Rams winning, as expected, with a score of 30-27. This is a 3-point margin. Since the spread required them to win by 6 or more, the Bengals' spread bettors would actually win their wagers in this scenario. If the Rams had won by a larger margin, say 10 points, then the Rams' spread betters would be victorious.
What about the odds? It's common to see numbers like -110 next to the spread. What do they mean?
These numbers represent the payout odds, often called the 'vig' (short for vigorish) or 'juice' in American Odds. The vig is essentially the commission the bookmaker charges for accepting a wager.
A common figure is -110. This means for every $1 you wish to win, you need to wager $1.10. If you aim to win $100 at -110 odds, you'd need to risk $110.
Point Spread Bet Results Explained
In a spread bet, there are three possible outcomes: a win, a loss, or a push. We've covered wins and losses, but what's a push? A push occurs when the actual result lands exactly on the spread. While a win results in the sportsbook paying out your bet, a push (often associated with -110 odds) means the bet is canceled an, and you get your original wager back.
Understanding Evenly Matched Teams
Sometimes, games are listed as 'pick 'em' (PK), indicating that both teams are considered equal in terms of winning probability. In these cases, there's no point spread. Both sides might be listed at -110 odds. For you to win your wager, the team you bet on must win the game outright. A push only happens if the game ends in a tie, in which case your original wager is refunded.
The "Hook" in Spread Betting
This is another common term you'll encounter with spread bets. The 'hook' refers to the half-point that can significantly influence the outcome, especially when dealing with whole numbers.
Spread Betting Considerations for Singaporean Bettors
While we could delve deep into detailed guides, our aim here is to focus on the core mechanics of point spread bets. Here are a few key considerations for players in Singapore before you dive in:
Spreads Can Change
The odds you lock in when placing a point spread bet are what determine your payout if you win. It's common for spreads to shift as a game approaches, but these changes won't affect bets already placed.
Betting the Middle
Often, one team attracts a large volume of bets. To balance this, the spread might move to encourage betting on the other side. This creates an opportunity to 'bet the middle' by wagering on both sides with different spreads. If the game's outcome falls between these two spreads, you win both bets.
Buying Points
Yes, it's possible to adjust the odds in your favour by 'buying points' to improve your chances of winning a spread bet in sports like American football and basketball.
Home Field Advantage
Apart from determining the favorite team with a more popular form, there are other factors oddsmakers must consider when creating point spreads. Like where the game is being played, because having a home field advantage benefits the team playing in their own stadium — we see this in most sports disciplines.
Moneyline Bets vs. Point Spreads
Moneyline and point spreads are both relatively easy betting types, perfect for beginners. We’ve explained what point spread betting is, but what is a moneyline bet, and which is superior? It depends.
A moneyline bet is the most basic sports betting type and it’s also the simplest to grasp. Essentially, bettors predict who will win (the final score isn't a consideration) in a given game or sporting event. If your guess materializes, you win and make a profit. If you’re wrong, you lose.
Point spreads require a bit more contemplation, since bettors are not choosing an outright winner — they’re selecting a team to win against the spread. A spread bet is largely focused on the final score and is slightly more intricate than a moneyline bet, but it has the advantage of bigger payouts.
Other Sports Betting Types
Parlays: A parlay or an accumulator is a mix of several wagers into one bet. Each wager, or leg as it’s commonly referred to, must come through for you to win a parlay. While parlays are the riskier bet option, they are attractive because the odds are greater and bettors can wager on more sporting events with a single stake.
Over/Under: With an over/under bet, the bookie determines the total score, and bettors predict whether the result will be over or under that amount. If you choose and the teams’ combined score is, indeed, over the set total, you win.
How to Bet on Sports Online
Most importantly, when placing a bet, choose a licensed sportsbook or casino that is renowned for using sophisticated software from leading providers in the trade. This guarantees a first-class betting service, delivering an elite overall gambling experience.
Unique Betting Software to Look out For
OpenBet
OpenBet creates the betting interface for some of the biggest online bookies in the world. They’re deemed tops in the software market, and the provider’s legendary Informix Dynamic Server allows millions of bets to be placed seamlessly and simultaneously through several bookmakers.
Geneity
Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Geneity is a software provider that falls under Playtech. The multi-channel bookie platform is most notable for being able to create over 100 football betting markets for a given match.
SBTech
Many new sportsbook operators in the UK team up with SBTech for their award-winning white-label solution that offers competitive odds across a variety of sports betting markets.
Betradar
Betradar is the brains behind sports-related live scores and digital content on many leading bookie sites, like bet365.
Inspired Gaming
Another software trailblazer in the industry, Inspired Gaming, knows a thing or two about producing world-class virtual sports betting services. They’re also leaders in Server-Based Technology and work alongside OpenBet to provide some of the best virtual sports products.
Kambi
When visiting leading sportsbook operators such as Unibet, 888Sport, and Leo Vegas, you will notice that they all feature Kambi’s user-friendly interfaces. The Malta-based software provider also offers a white-label sportsbook platform with over 120,000 live betting events every year and some 250,000 pre-match events.
Steps for Placing an Online Bet
The best solution to betting online is to simply dive in and begin. Start small and always remember to have fun!
- Find a reputable, regulated sportsbook or an online casino that you trust. We’ll share a few of our favorite sites in just a bit.
- Create an account or log in to place a bet.
- Browse the sports betting offerings and choose one that appeals to you.
- Make a direct/demand deposit.
- Familiarize yourself with betting rules and strategies.
- Always set a budget and never exceed the amount.
- Place your bets.
How to Choose the Best Sites for Point Spreads
When weighing in on the right sportsbook to pave the way for a fun and successful betting journey, it’s important to look at these non-negotiable features:
A Licensed Casino
Always choose a reputable and trusted bookmaker with a recognized online casino license that guarantees an experience that is safe, secure, regulated, and fair. Also, look at the site’s deposit and withdrawal methods to see if the payment options align with your needs.
Read Reviews
Do your research, find third-party reviews and engage with other bettors who know a bit about the market and where to bet. A good sportsbook review will include information about the platform’s available payment options, bonuses, promotions, the sports covered, etc.
Online Sportsbook Promotions
Bonuses, promotions, free bets, and other concessions can truly boost winnings, especially for first-time bettors.
Customer Service
A reputable online bookmaker will be transparent about its operations, and this includes having an expert help ‘desk’ or similar available to gamblers. Whether it’s a physical address, a call center, email, or chatting to a consultant via social media — customer service should always be available.
Top Sports to Bet on
We’ve said it before: sports betting, particularly partaking in a point spread, is a fun and entertaining activity that will keep you on the edge of your seat thanks to the thrill and excitement. It also happens to offer an opportunity for wagering to win real money. With these in mind, we’ve narrowed down our favorite sports to bet on and insist you give them (and the point spread bet) a try:
Football
Of course, we’re leading in with the most popular point spread team sport, football. Not only is it an iconic sport loved and followed by millions around the world, but football also offers many benefits from a betting perspective. It boasts remarkable markets in betting due to its heavily strategic style. And what’s more? It’s easily and widely accessible in trusted sportsbooks, and it also features incredibly competitive odds on several events.
Horse Racing
When you mull over betting, there’s no way you can overlook the horse racing bet market. It’s huge on a global scale and presents a great strategic advantage. Sportsbooks with the offering provide live coverage and streaming availability is readily accessible. Horse racing also offers several unique promotions and, just like football, the market range is profoundly impressive.
NBA
Basketball is possibly one of the most fast-paced, thrilling sports to watch and bet on. Teams are generally highly skilled and adept, so playing each other often results in very close games to stir even more excitement. Bettors who are intrigued by strategy and statistics can really delve deep into NBA betting.
Sports Betting Tips and Tricks for Success
Learn the Odds
Go back to basics, whether it’s online or live betting. Discover the ins and outs of betting odds to improve your opportunity to win.
Switch Things Up
Instead of plugging all of your money into one wager, spread it out over multiple bets.
Root for the Underdog
It’s normal to want to back the more popular, statistically better team, but generally, betting on the underdog offers greater value and a bigger payout if the outcome goes in your favor.
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FAQ
What is point spread betting?
Point spread betting is a way to even the odds between teams. It involves betting on the margin of victory in sports like football or basketball. Instead of just picking a winner, you're betting on how much a team will win or lose by.
Is point spread betting suitable for beginners in Singapore?
Point spread betting can be a good starting point, but it requires some understanding of the sport and the odds. If you're new to betting, consider starting with simpler bets like moneyline bets before diving into point spreads. Always gamble responsibly.
What are the most popular sports to bet on in Singapore?
Many sports are available for betting, but popular choices include football (soccer), horse racing, and basketball. These sports offer a wide range of betting options and are widely followed in Singapore.
What is in-play betting?
In-play betting, also known as live betting, allows you to place bets while a game or event is happening in real-time. Odds change dynamically based on what's happening in the game.
What is a home-field advantage?
Home-field advantage refers to the perceived benefit a team gains from playing at their home stadium or venue. Factors like crowd support and familiarity with the environment can contribute to this advantage.
