NFL Point Spread Explained

Filed in archive Did you know , NFL on June 4, 2010

© Dan4th

With the NFL being the one sport in the US with the highest betting, it is probably a surprise to know that many people do not understand betting or how the odds and favorites are chosen. For the bookmakers, the best outcome is to have people place bets on both teams. What is even better is that the same number of people place bets on each team...the bookie can't lose because the bookie makes a profit from commissions. The punter who doesn't understand NFL Point Spread will most certainly be the loser.

When two teams play a sport there is usually one who is the most likely to win and one who is the most likely to lose. In spread betting, the points are added, or subtracted from the score. Depending upon who the bet was placed for, the final tally dictates the betting winners and losers.

If the gambler places bets on the favorite, the favorite team must 'give the points away' and still score enough to beat the score of the underdog who 'takes the points'.

It is all supposed to even up the betting odds; of course, if you go just to watch the game you are always a winner.