Line Betting 101: A Statistical Guide for Beginners

Point spread

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of sports betting. In this type of bet, a handicap is given to one team, which they must either win by or lose by less than in order for the bettor to win. For example, if the line is set at -5.5 in favor of the Lakers, they must win by six or more points for a bet on them to be successful. On the other hand, if the line is set at +5.5 in favor of the Raptors, they can lose by up to five points and still win the bet. According to a report by the American Gaming Association, point spread bets accounted for 42% of all sports bets in 2019.

Moneyline betting

In line betting, also known as point spread betting, the favorite team in a sports match is set with a handicap point value, while the underdog team is given a point value to level the playing field. Bettors then place their bets on which team will either exceed or fall short of the handicap value. This type of betting is prevalent in football and basketball. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, Americans bet over $20 billion on NCAA basketball alone. In the same year, the total amount of sports betting legalized in the US was estimated to be around $10 billion.

Totals (Over/Under) betting

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of sports betting that involves betting on the margin of victory between two teams. The line, or point spread, is a prediction made by bookmakers on how much a particular team is expected to win or lose by in order to level the playing field between the two teams. Bettors can choose to bet on either the favorite team, who is predicted to win by more points than the line, or the underdog team, who is predicted to lose by fewer points than the line. Line betting is a type of Totals (Over/Under) betting, where bettors place wagers on whether the actual total score of a game will be over or under the predicted total set by bookmakers.

Handicap betting

Handicap betting, also known as line betting, is a popular wagering method in sports that aims to level the playing field between two teams by giving the underdogs a virtual head start. In this type of bet, the bookmaker assigns a handicap or point spread to the favorite team and requires them to win by a certain margin for the bet to be successful. The amount of the spread reflects the perceived strength difference between the two teams. For instance, in a basketball game, a team may have a -5.5 handicap, meaning they have to win by at least six points to cover the spread. Handicap betting provides more options for bettors, particularly in games where there is a clear favorite, and can offer better payouts than traditional moneyline bets. According to a survey by the American Gaming Association, nearly 50% of sports bettors in the United States have placed a handicap bet at least once.

 

Vigorish (Juice)

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of sports betting that involves placing wagers on the outcome of a game with a set handicap. The Vigorish, or “juice,” is the commission charged by the bookmaker for facilitating the bet. Typically, the Vigorish is set at 10% of the total amount wagered, meaning that the bookmaker keeps 10% of the winnings, regardless of the outcome. For example, if $1,000 is wagered on a game, the bookmaker keeps $100 as the Vigorish, and pays out the remaining $900 to the winning bettor. This ensures profitability for the bookmaker, even if bets are evenly split between the two teams. According to recent data, line betting accounts for approximately 40% of all sports betting in the United States.

Teasers

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, involves betting on the margin of victory in a game rather than the outcome. Teasers, a type of line betting, allow bettors to adjust the point spread in their favor by a certain number of points. This increases the chances of winning the bet but also decreases the potential payout. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, “the average bettor who uses point spreads bets more on college football and basketball than any other sport.” In addition, a report by H2 Gambling Capital estimated that “the gross gambling yield from online sports betting globally will reach $32 billion by 2025.

Parlays

Line betting, also known as spread betting, is a popular form of wagering in which a team is handicapped before the game starts. The favorite is given a negative point spread, and the underdog is given a positive point spread. The bettor then chooses which team they think will cover the spread. In 2019, the legal sports betting industry in the United States saw $13 billion in total wagers placed, with football being one of the most popular sports to bet on. Additionally, a 2018 survey found that 21% of Americans have placed a bet on a sports event at some point in their lives.

Futures

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is an increasingly popular form of sports betting. It involves a handicap being applied to the favored team to even out the bets. For example, if a football team is favored to win by 10 points, the line bettor would have to bet on them winning by 11 points or more to win the bet. In the NFL, over 75% of games have a point spread under 10 points, making line betting an attractive option for many bettors. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, almost $3 billion was bet on the Super Bowl alone, with 98% of that wagered through online or mobile platforms.

In-Game Betting

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a way to even out the odds of a game that might have a heavily favored team. With line betting, the favored team must win by a certain number of points, while the underdog team must keep the game within a certain number of points. For example, if Team A is favored to win by 7 points, a bet on Team A would only pay out if they win by 8 or more points. In contrast, a bet on Team B would pay out if they win the game or lose by 6 or less points. Line betting is popular in many sports, especially football and basketball. According to Statista, the gross sports betting revenue in the United States was $13.42 billion in 2019.

Alternate Lines

Line betting is a form of sports betting that involves selecting a team to cover a specified point spread. The most popular form of line betting is point spread betting, which offers odds on the favorite as well as the underdog. The goal of line betting is to balance the odds between opposing teams, ensuring that bettors have an equal chance of winning regardless of which team they choose to support. Alternate lines, meanwhile, offer different point spreads with varying odds, allowing bettors to choose from a range of different betting options to suit their preferences. NFL games routinely feature line betting of over 40 points, making it a popular choice among sports fans and bettors alike.

Proposition bets (prop bets)

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular type of proposition bet in sports betting. In this type of bet, the bookmaker will establish a point spread for the game, with the favored team requiring the bettor to give up points and the underdog receiving points. The bettor then chooses which team to bet on, and if their team wins by more than the point spread, they win the bet. According to Statista, sports betting revenue in the United States was estimated to reach $8.4 billion in 2019, with football being the most popular sport for betting.

Halftime lines

In sports betting, halftime lines refer to the odds and point spreads offered for the second half of a game. These are popular among bettors who prefer quicker results and want to adjust their strategy based on the first half performance of the teams. With halftime lines, betting options include predicting which team will win the second half, the total points scored in the second half, or the point spread for the second half. According to a study conducted by the American Gaming Association, 47 million Americans plan to bet on the 2021 NFL season, with football being the most popular sport to bet on in the U.S.

Push

In line betting, a push occurs when the final score equals the point spread. It means neither the bettor nor the sportsbook wins, and the money wagered is returned. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, American sportsbooks won $909 million, with 73% of that coming from football betting. The point spread is the most popular betting type, accounting for 47% of wagers made. In the same year, the Super Bowl alone generated $270 million in bets, and 26% of those wagers were on the point spread.

Cover

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a common form of sports betting. In this type of betting, a handicap is applied to the favored team to level the playing field. This means that the favored team must win by a certain margin in order for the bet to pay out. On the other hand, if the underdog team loses by less than the handicap or wins outright, then the bettor who wagered on the underdog will win. According to a survey by the American Gaming Association, 38 million adults in the United States plan to bet on NFL games in a given season.

 

Locked bet

According to the American Gaming Association, line betting, also known as point spread betting, is the most popular form of sports betting in the United States. In this type of wager, a point spread is used to even out the odds between two teams. The favored team must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can lose by less than the spread or win outright. Locked bet, a website specializing in sports betting, offers line betting on a variety of sports such as football, basketball, and baseball.

Hedging

Line betting, also known as handicap betting, is a popular method of betting in which the bookmaker gives a hypothetical handicap or head start to one team to level the playing field. This ensures more balanced odds and allows bettors to wager on the underdog without necessarily backing them for the outright win. For example, in a football match, Team A may have a -1.5 handicap, meaning they must win by at least two goals for the bet to be successful. Line betting can be a strategic hedging tool, enabling bettors to minimize potential losses and maximize profits. According to a study by Statista, in 2020, the global sports betting market was valued at $203 billion and is projected to reach $155 billion by 2026.

Buy Points

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular method of sports betting that involves betting on the point spread of a given game. It allows bettors to wager on a team to either “cover” the point spread, which means win by more than the given spread, or to “beat the spread,” and lose by fewer points than the given spread. One popular option in line betting is to purchase points, which allows bettors to adjust the spread in their favor by increasing or decreasing the given point spread. The average point adjustment cost ranges from $10-20 depending on the sportsbook, with an estimated 55% of books currently offering the option to buy points.

Sell Points

Sell points, also known as “point buying” or “point selling,” are a way to increase your chances of winning a line bet in sports betting. This strategy involves buying or selling points to adjust the point spread in your favor. In football, for example, a team may be favored to win by 3 points. By buying 0.5 or 1 point, you can increase your chances of winning the bet. However, this comes at a cost. The odds of your bet will be adjusted based on the number of points you buy or sell. It is important to carefully consider the odds and potential payouts before making a decision. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, 47.2 million Americans bet on March Madness alone.

Steam Moves

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of sports betting that involves wagering on the margin of victory in a game. In line betting, a point spread is set by the bookmaker to create a balanced betting market. The favorite team is indicated with a negative number and the underdog with a positive number, which represents how many points they must either win or lose by. Steam moves occur when there is a sudden and significant change in the betting line due to a large amount of money being placed on one team. This can indicate insider knowledge or a shift in public perception. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, Americans wagered $13 billion on sports in 2019, with 76% of bets placed on football and basketball combined.

Public vs. Sharp/Square Betting

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of wagering that involves betting on the margin of victory or defeat in a given sporting event. In public vs. sharp/square betting, public bettors tend to bet on popular teams and overestimate their chances of winning, while sharp/square bettors are more likely to analyze statistics and make informed bets. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, 52% of sports bettors are male, and the most popular sport for betting is football, with 69% of bettors placing wagers on the NFL. Additionally, a report by H2 Gambling Capital predicts that the global sports betting market will reach a value of $155 billion by 2024.

Consensus Picks

Line betting, commonly known as point spread betting, is a type of sports betting in which a handicap is applied to the favored team to level the playing field. The aim is to create an even betting field and increase the chances of winning for both teams. According to Statista, the global sports betting market size is estimated to reach $155.49 billion in 2024. The Guardian reported that Americans bet more than $150 billion on sports every year. In line betting, odds are set at -110, ensuring a cut for the sportsbook and making it harder for bettors to break even. The profits for sportsbooks are surprising, with leading sportsbook William Hill reporting a 53% rise in revenue in 2020.

Line Shopping

According to a survey conducted by the American Gaming Association, 47 million Americans bet on the NFL alone, with many of these bets being placed on the point spread or “line” of the game. Line shopping in sports betting refers to the practice of comparing point spreads offered by different sportsbooks and betting on the one that offers the most favorable line. The difference between placing a bet on a -3.5 point spread rather than a -4 point spread may not seem significant, but over time, line shopping can greatly increase a bettor’s profitability. A study conducted by Las Vegas Sports Consultants found that sports bettors who line shop can increase their winning percentage by over 3%.

Betting Percentages

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular form of sports betting that involves setting a margin of points that a team must either win or lose by for the bet to pay out. In this way, the underdog team can still be a possible winner in the eyes of the bettor. According to a recent study, approximately 53% of sports bettors in the United States have placed a line bet at least once. Additionally, the same study found that the average line bet size is $110. To be successful at line betting, it is important to closely analyze betting percentages and trends before making a decision.

Reverse Line Movement

Reverse line movement occurs when the betting line moves in the opposite direction of the percentage of bets placed on a particular team or outcome. This can be an indicator that the professional bettors or sharps are placing large wagers on the less popular side. Line betting, or spread betting, is when a point spread is given to the underdog team to even the playing field. For example, if the New York Giants are playing the Dallas Cowboys, and the line is Giants +7, it means that if you bet on the Giants, they can lose the game by up to 7 points and you still win the bet.

Closing Line Value (CLV)

Closing Line Value (CLV)
Line betting, commonly known as point spread betting, involves placing a bet on the number of points a particular team will win or lose by. The closing line value (CLV) is a measure used to determine how successful a bettor is. It’s calculated by comparing the final betting line to the betting line at the time the wager was placed. As per the statistics from Pro Footbal Reference, the average CLV for NFL games is between 0.4 and 0.5. A positive CLV indicates that the bettor is consistently beating the closing line, thus increasing the chances of success. In contrast, a negative CLV signals that the bettor is consistently losing, and it may be time to reevaluate their selection process.

Key Numbers

Line betting, also known as point spread betting, is a popular way of wagering on sporting events. The goal is to predict the outcome of a game while taking into account a handicap assigned by oddsmakers. This handicap, or point spread, is based on “key numbers”—numbers that occur more frequently in the final score of games. For example, in football, the most common final score is 27-20, which adds up to 47 points. Therefore, a point spread of 3.5 or 4.5 is often used by oddsmakers to balance the action between the favorite and underdog. Overall, understanding key numbers and how they impact point spreads is essential for successful line betting.

Live Betting

Line betting, also known as spread betting, is a popular method of sports betting where a bookmaker handicaps a team by assigning a point spread. The bettor then wagers on whether the team will win by more than that spread or lose by less than that spread. For example, if a bookmaker sets the spread at -6 for the favored team, the bettor can either bet on them to win by more than 6 points (covering the spread) or the underdog to lose by less than 6 points (beating the spread). According to the American Gaming Association, sports bettors legally wagered over $21 billion on football alone in 2020.

Money Management

Line betting involves placing a bet on the outcome of a sporting event with a handicap, commonly referred to as the “line.” This type of betting is popular in sports such as football and basketball. The handicap evens the playing field and allows for a more competitive match. For example, if a team is favored to win by 7 points, the line will be set at -7 for that team, meaning they must win by at least 8 points for a bet on them to be successful. Line betting can be a useful strategy for savvy bettors who want to maximize their winnings. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, Americans wagered over $12 billion on sports in 2020 alone.

Bankroll

Betting on sports can be intimidating for beginners, but line betting is one of the simplest forms – and understanding bankroll management is crucial to success. Line betting involves placing a wager on a team to win by a certain margin, known as the point spread. For example, if the point spread is -7.5 for a football game, the favored team must win by at least eight points for your bet to pay out. Bankroll management is all about setting a budget, deciding how much to stake per bet, and never exceeding a certain percentage of your total bankroll. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, 40% of sports bettors manage a bankroll of $1,000 or less.

Units.

In line betting, the goal is to predict which team will win and by how many points. The team that is favored to win will have a negative number, while the underdog will have a positive one. To win the bet, the favored team must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright. In 2019, the global online gambling market was valued at approximately $53.7 billion, and it is projected to reach $127.3 billion by 2027. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down a federal ban on sports gambling opened the door to a potential $4 billion market in New Jersey alone.