line in football sports betting explained

Note that by using a half-point in the spread, the sportsbook has ensured on this occasion that there cannot be a tie on the handicap. If you do, Cleveland has to win by 6 points or more for your bet to be successful. So, if you bet on Tennessee with a 5.5 point head start, if they win the match or lose by less than 5.5 points, your bet will be successful.Įqually, you may feel that Cleveland will overcome that 5.5 point disadvantage. In NFL this will come in the form of points, in baseball it will be runs and in ice hockey it will be goals.Ĭleveland is considered to be superior to Tennessee, so in order to level the playing field, Tennessee is given a notional 5.5 points head start by the sportsbook. Whatever you choose to call it, the bet acknowledges and caters for the difference in ability between teams by giving the perceived underdog an advantage a head start if you like. Hence while it is known as the spread in NFL and NBA, NHL bettors will know this as the ‘ puck line’, while baseball bettors will be used to seeing it called the ‘ run line’. This type of bet is known by a number of different terms, depending on the sport with which it is associated. It is always worth checking the terms and conditions of your sportsbook to determine their rules in such an event. In sports where a tie is possible, moneyline stakes are refunded if that game ends in a tie. Bettors of Chicago would need to stake $170 to win $100, whereas those who think Green Bay will win the game will win $150 should they bet $100.

Line in football sports betting explained