Sports betting has been around for centuries, and it has evolved into an industry worth billions of dollars. With the advent of technology, it’s now easier than ever to place bets on various sports events from the comfort of your home, office or anywhere else. However, making money from sports betting requires more than just luck; it takes knowledge, strategy and discipline. One strategy that has proven successful for many professional sports bettors is covering the spread.
What is the Spread?
The spread is a betting term that refers to the predicted margin of victory for the favorite team in a particular match or event. In sports betting, the favorite team is indicated by a negative sign (-) while the underdog has a positive sign (+). The spread is used to level the playing field by giving the underdog a head start or point advantage. This makes it more challenging for the bettor to pick a winner, thus offering better odds and potential payout.
Why Cover the Spread?
Covering the spread means betting on the underdog team to either win or lose by a margin lesser than the predicted spread. For example, if the spread for a game is -5 points, the favorite team needs to win by 6 points or more for a bet on them to win. On the other hand, if you bet on the underdog, they either need to win the game outright or lose by 4 points or less to cover the spread.
Covering the spread is a winning strategy because it avoids the risk of betting on a team to win outright, which is often unpredictable. Most sports events have favorites and underdogs, and the odds of them winning or losing by a certain margin are calculated based on their past performance, current form, injury reports, weather conditions, etc. However, these factors don’t always accurately predict the outcome of a game, and even the best teams sometimes struggle to win by a wide margin.
Benefits of Covering the Spread
1. Higher chances of winning – Betting on the underdog to cover the spread increases your chances of winning the bet, even if they lose the game outright. This is because they are given a head start, and thus have a smaller margin to cover.
2. Better odds and potential payout – The underdog team often has higher odds and potential payout, as they are less likely to win outright. This means that even small bets on the underdog can result in a big payout if they cover the spread or pull off an upset.
3. Less risk – Betting on the spread on underdog reduces the risk of losing the bet, as you don’t need them to win the game outright. This is especially useful in games where the outcome is difficult to predict or when the favorite team isn’t in top form.
Conclusion
Sports betting can be a profitable venture, but it requires discipline, knowledge, and a winning strategy. Covering the spread is a proven strategy that can increase your chances of winning, reduce your risk, and offer better odds and potential payout. However, it’s important to research and analyze the teams’ past performance, current form, injury reports, weather conditions, etc., to make an informed decision. With the right approach and mindset, you can earn consistent profits from sports betting by covering the spread.