Point Spread Betting Explained: How It Works & How to Bet

Run lines and Puck lines are other names for spread betting. The only difference is they’re used in specific sports. Point spread bet is the universal term used for football, basketball, soccer, and most sports.

In hockey, Puck Lines is the term and is derived from the round/square ice hockey puck. In baseball, we use Run Lines. The name comes from the runs players make to win matches in the sport. Puck Lines, Run Lines, and Point Spread bets work the same.

Vig, vigorish or juice is the amount a bookie charges for taking the point spread bet. An example is -110 or -105, featured next to the points spread threshold.

The vig is always denoted by a negative sign (-) in point spread betting. If the vig is -110, the bookie needs a $110 bet to pay out $100 when you win the bet. You'll get $100 for every $110 you wager.

You might notice the number of points changing multiple times before the match begins. Most Canadian betting sites change the point spread bet to balance the books. If the number of points goes up, it means more punters are betting on the favourite to cover the spread.

If the points go down, it means more people are betting against the spread. The bookies adjust points to avoid significant losses.

Line shopping is precisely what the name suggests; shopping around for the best betting lines and odds. Bookies set different lines and odds to attract punters or increase their profit margins.

You can compare lines from various bookmarkers to find the most competitive odds. The goal is to find a bookie that provides the most return for the bet. In spread betting, this might come in terms of a lower vig.

Point spread betting can result in two primary outcomes. The favourite will either cover the spread or fail to cover it. Bookies use a "hook" to structure point spread and totals (over/under) lines. The hook is the margin of winning for either team to cover a spread. A hook is represented as a .5 at the end of a whole number. 

Here’s an example:

• Toronto Raptors -8.5, Detroit Pistons +8.5

For a bet on Toronto to win, the team must score 8.5 points more than Detroit. Since there's no .5, the team must score 9 goals or more to cover the spread. If you bet against the spread, Detroit must not lose by more than 8.5 points, which means all they need to do is win or lose by 8 points or less.

The hook plays a crucial role and is also used in over/under bets, where the bookie may offer betting lines like Over/Under 223.5. Betting on Over means the game should produce at least 223.5 (224 or more) points.

If you bet on under, the game total points must not exceed 223.5 (223 or less). Ties are rare in spread betting, especially when the lines feature a hook. 

The .5 eliminates all chances of a draw except for games beginning with a handicap. Introducing a handicap enables the outcome to become a tie. A team can begin the match with a +5.5 handicap, which means the team has 5.5 points to their name before the match. Only handicaps with a .5 can result in a tie.

Making a spread bet is effortless once you understand point spread rules. The steps are basic across most bookies. You can find a reputable sports betting website based on your preferences, leverage bonuses, and explore your favourite sports. Note that spread betting has subtle differences from game to game.

NHL betting features low-scoring events, while NBA betting is high-scoring, so you might find more variations during in-play betting in basketball.

To make a spread bet, find the game you love on the sportsbook and launch it. The point spread bet is part of the the markets available in the snippet. You can bet for the spread or against the spread. Some bookies offer handicaps, and three-way point spread bets. You can also leverage unique sports betting tips, strategies, and features like parlays and in-play (live) betting.

Spread bets are calculated based on the variation in the number of points or goals scored. The bookies subtract the set hook/threshold from the outcome of the favourites to determine if they covered the spread.

You can also add the spread to the outcome of the underdog. Bookies use various factors to calculate spread bets and odds, including h2h stats, team current form and position in local leagues, form, and more.

The points spread bet is popularly used as a single bet, meaning you can have the market alone in your slip. Backing the underdogs offers a higher likelihood and good money for the risk. You can also invest in the favourites to increase your potential outcome. Seasoned punters know a single bet requires more investment to generate a significant payout.

A popular alternative is to create parlays or multi-bets. You can have a point spread bet for one match and another in a different event. Having two matches in your slip immediately increases the odds and potential payout should you win both. 

The caveat is you have to win all events in your parlay slip to get a payout. One wrong result voids the entire slip unless you leverage tools like cash out to save something before the last event is played. Leading bookies allow point spread odds to be combined with other markets in creating combo bets.

You can find same-game parlays where you bet on different markets within the same game. An example is betting against the spread and totals in the same slip. You can also find different game parlays and even different sports parlays.

Nearly all sports involve points or goals, so you’ll find the point spread bet on every event. The market may take on a different name, like Puck Lines or Run Lines. Here are sports where the point spread bet is most popular:

• NFL: The National Football League is the biggest in North America. Canada has its unique version in the CFL. NFL games always offer opportunities for spread betting. You'll find spread bets in all events, from local divisions to conference finals and the Superbowl.
• NHL: The National Hockey League is another popular tournament in Canada and the US. North Americans love ice hockey and organize various events throughout the year. Hockey is a low-scoring game, so most bookies offer 1.5 spreads. You can still find opportunities for larger spreads. Spread betting in hockey is referred to as puck betting.
• NBA: The NBA is a fan favourite, especially in Canada, where the Toronto Raptors is the team to support. The 2019 NBA champions are the only outfit from Canada participating in the NBA. You can find point spread bets throughout NBA matches.
• MLB: Fans of baseball can also bet on point spread odds. Point spread betting in baseball is also known as run line betting. You can bet on the favourite to make a certain number of runs more than the underdog. The spread bet is part of many MLB events.
• College Football: If you fancy betting on college football, the spread is one of the easiest bets to place. You can analyze past performance and current form to gauge how many goals a team can score. Most bookies offer point spread odds for college football.
• College Basketball: Like football, college basketball is open to spread markets and odds. You can even find spread bets on player props. The betting system used here is similar to that in the NBA. You can bet on favourites to cover the spread or go ATS.

Point spread bets are standard across all bookies. If you’re a sports fan, consider starting with your beloved sport, teams, and events. You should also shop for competitive odds and fast payouts. Stick to reputable bookmarkers licensed to offer sports betting odds in Canada.