Handicapping

We continue our series of tips for those of you new to the world of online betting, with some insight into what point spreads are, and just how they work.

Understanding the world of point spreads is vital for betting success. Whether you're betting basketball or football, you better understand the spread.

So, here's how it works. The point spread is essentially a theoretical handicap placed on one team, designed to give the two teams in any matchup an equal chance at winning in the eyes of those indulging in sports betting.

So, for the most part in any given contest, be it football, basketball, or frankly anything in life - one side will be perceived as being better than the other. The point spread essentially evens out this imbalance in terms of betting. It can make both teams very attrative, depending on the lines and the situation.

Let's use a hypothetical: the Lakers are playing the Celtics. The sportsbooks want to even the action out and make the Lakers eight point favorites - typically listed as Los Angeles -8. In this example, the Celtics would be +8. What does this mean? Well, it means that if you bet on the Lakers, they will have to win by more than 8 points in order for you to win your bet. If they beat the Celtics, but the score was 116-109, you're out of luck. This is why in some cases you'll want to bet the underdog, even when you're not thinking they'll win. Unless the winner beats the spread, a bet on that team is not a winning bet.

In the event of a tie on the spread - sometimes called a 'push', all bets would be canceled and funds returned to bettors. In our example, a 116-108 win for L.A. would be a push.

Get it? Good. Go do your research, and play smart.