Point Spreads/Handicaps
Point spreads are a bookmaker’s way of evening out to mismatched teams. A bookmaker will assign a negative number to the favorite and a positive number to the underdog. At the end of the game, these numbers will be used to adjust the team’s final score.
| Example |
|
| Buffalo |
+6 |
| New York |
-6 |
In this example a wager on Buffalo is a winner if Buffalo wins or loses by 5 points or less. A wager on New York is a winner only if New York wins by 7 points or more. If the final score has New York winning by 6 the wager will be graded as a push and bettors will have their wagers returned.
Moneyline
The moneyline is a bet on which team you think will win straight up. In order to even the action on both teams, bookmakers will charge more for bettors to take the favorite and offer more reward for bettors who take the underdog.
| Example |
|
| Kansas |
+140 |
| Detroit |
-160 |
In this example a bettor who takes the favorite Detroit will be required to risk $160 for every $100 they want to win but by taking Kansas the bettor will win $140 for every $100 they risk. In the event of a tie all wagers will be returned to the bettors. Please note that in certain sports such as soccer where more ties occur bookmakers will offer a third moneyline option, allowing bettors to bet on a tie occurring. In this situation if the game ends in a tie, bettors on Kansas and Detroit will be losers and anyone who wagered on a tie will be graded as a winner.
Totals
The total allows you to predict whether the final combined score of both teams will be over or under the listed number.
| Example |
|
| Miami |
Over 46 |
| Texas |
Under 46 |
In this example if Miami and Texas score a combined total of 47 points or more all bets on the Over 46 will be graded a winner and any bets on the under will be graded a loser. If the teams score a combined total of 45 points or less the reverse is true. If the teams score exactly 46 points, the result will be a push and all wagers will be returned.
Team Totals
The total allows you to predict whether the final score of a team will be over or under the listed number.
| Example |
|
| New England |
Over 21 |
| New England |
Under 21 |
In this example if New England scores a total of 22 points or more all bets on the Over 21 will be graded a winner and any bets on the under will be graded a loser. If the teams score a total of 20 points or less the reverse is true. If the teams score exactly 21 points, the result will be a push and all wagers will be returned.
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