Moneyline or Spread – Which Bet Type is Better?
Two of the most common types of wagers sports bettors place are moneyline bets or spread bets. These are two bets you need to master before exploring other options. In some cases, it is advantageous to choose a moneyline bet. However, the payouts on moneyline bets are lower. Spread bets are usually better if you want to make a decent amount of money.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is the simplest bet when betting on sports. You make a bet on which team will win a game. The margin of victory doesn’t count. With a moneyline bet, you are likely to win if you bet on a favorite.
If you’re a beginner, you can bet now without having to learn any complex calculations. You can get your feet wet by placing this type of bet. The disadvantage is that the payouts aren’t high. If you have a large bankroll, you may be able to get decent returns by making moneyline bets on favorites.
When placing a moneyline bet, you will see numbers next to each team. One team could be +280 and the other -300. These numbers represent your return. If you bet on the second team at -300, you have to risk $300 to get a $100 profit because the team is more likely to win. If you believe the team at +280 will pull off an upset, you will get $280 plus your $100 back if you bet $100.
What is spread betting?
Spread betting is very popular in sports such as football and basketball where the scores are high. It helps to even the playing field between two teams that are unevenly matched. If one team is known for its record-breaking wins and the other team usually loses, there is little excitement in betting. Spread betting is when the favorite team is given a handicap to even out the game.
Betting against the spread requires one team to win by a certain amount. When you place a spread bet, you can bet on the favorite or the underdog. Team A may be the favorite at -7.5 and Team B the underdog at +7.5. Team A must win by at least eight points for your wager on them to be successful. Team B could make you a winner by losing the game by seven points or less.
Choosing the right bet
If you want to win decent money while sports betting, you need to take some calculated risks. Betting against the spread gives you the opportunity to do so. To grasp the basics of betting, you may want to start by placing moneyline bets. You can always graduate to spread bets once you understand the basics.
When betting on sports, it is always important to use good judgment. Assessing bets on a game-to-game basis is probably best. Make a spread bet if you see a chance to make good money. In a few cases, your best decision may be to go with a moneyline bet.