Home » What Does Spread Mean in Betting? What You Need to Know

What Does Spread Mean in Betting

Are you a sports fanatic and want to bet on your favorite team, but don’t know where to start? Then you’re in the right place. Sports betting makes watching your favorite teams even more exciting and pushes you farther to the edge of your seat… and words can’t explain how ecstatic you feel when a bet hits. But before you get started, you need to know some of the terminology so you’re not just throwing your money (or crypto) away.

One of the most popular, and a favorite amongst the top sports gamblers out there, is spread betting.

Point spreads level the playing field between teams of differing strengths, making games more exciting and bets more strategic.

We’ll break down what spread betting is all about, how you can learn to master it, and the benefits of using cryptocurrency spread betting.

What Spread Betting is all About

You’ve probably heard the term spread betting before, and it’s actually been around since the 1940s—invented by a mathematics teacher who ended up becoming a bookmaker. Now, sportsbooks use point spreads to level the betting field between two different teams. Basically, sportsbooks will assign a point “handicap” to the favorite and a points “advantage” to the underdog. Ultimately, this creates a balanced betting scenario and makes bets more evenly distributed and hedges the risk for the bookies.

What Does +/- Mean in Spread Betting

When you’re looking at the lines on team sports, you’ll often see +/-. This is pretty straight forward.

The + (Plus Sign)

The + (Plus Sign) means that the underdog can lose by (or win) to cover the spread.

The – (Minus Sign)

The – (minus sign) means that the favorite must win by that point amount to cover the spread.

How Spread Betting Works

Spread betting is prevalent in sports like football and basketball. For example, in an NFL game, if the Dallas Cowboys are favored to win against the Philadelphia Eagles with a spread of -6, the Cowboys must win by more than 6 points for a bet on them to payout. Conversely, if you bet on the Eagles +6, they must either win outright or lose by fewer than 6 points for your bet to be successful.

In the NBA, if the Los Angeles Lakers are favored by -4 against the Miami Heat, they need to win by more than 4 points for bets on them to win. If the Heat are at +4, they can win outright or lose by less than 4 points for your bet to be a winner.

The Best Strategies for Spread Betting

There are so many strategies out there for spread betting, but using the K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method—it’s a heck of a lot easier. There are a few ways that can help improve the odds of winning a spread bet.

Conduct Research and Analysis Before Placing a Spread Bet

Successful spread betting requires meticulous research. Delve into team statistics, player performances, and recent game outcomes. Utilize resources like Fantasy Life and Covers for in-depth analysis. Key metrics include offensive and defensive efficiency, shooting percentages, and turnover rates.

Considering Injuries and Other Factors

Stay up to date on player injuries, suspensions, and other factors that could influence game outcomes. An injury to a key player can significantly impact a team's performance and the spread. Additionally, consider external factors like weather conditions, travel schedules, and team morale.

Shopping for the Best Spread

Different sportsbooks offer varying spreads and odds. It’s essential to shop around and find the best spread available. This ensures you get the most favorable terms for your bets. Platforms like CryptoRush provide competitive spreads and a secure betting environment. Check out their sportsbook for more details.

Bankroll Management

Effective bankroll management is crucial. Set a betting budget and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Spread betting can be thrilling, but maintaining discipline and strategy with your bankroll is essential.

Benefits of Using Crypto for Spread Betting on Sports Teams

Privacy and Anonymity

When you bet with cryptocurrency on CryptoRush, you benefit from enhanced privacy and anonymity. Your transactions are not tied to your personal information, keeping your identity secure. CryptoRush uses advanced encryption technology to keep your data confidential.

Security and Speed

Cryptocurrency transactions, secured by blockchain technology, are highly secure and almost impossible to defraud. Transactions are processed swiftly, often within minutes, allowing you to deposit and withdraw funds quickly. CryptoRush's platform is designed for rapid and efficient transactions.

Lower Fees

Crypto transactions usually come with lower fees compared to traditional banking methods, meaning you keep more of your winnings. Betting with CryptoRush reduces transaction costs, making your betting experience more profitable.

How to Bet on the Spread Using Crypto on CryptoRush

CryptoRush stands out as the premier crypto sportsbook out there, offering access to dozens of sports and spread betting.

Set Up a New Account & Get a Welcome Bonus

Creating an account on CryptoRush is straightforward. Visit their CryptoRush, click on the "Sign Up" button, and follow the instructions to register. Make sure you secure your welcome bonus too!

Make a Crypto Deposit

Before you make a deposit, make sure to check out the promotions page to get your 100% Sports Welcome Bonus. Once you’ve double-checked and made sure you’ve opted-in for the bonus, make your deposit… and you’re on your way tp spread betting.

Placing Your Spread Bet on CryptoRush

Alright, once you’ve made your deposit—it’s time to learn the lay of the land. Select your team sport, and you should see something like this.

Right here, I picked America’s favorite past time—baseball— and then under the sport, instead of leaving it toggled on “Winner,” drop down to “Handicap” for your spread betting.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to see all the spread bets for the upcoming games.

Let’s say I want to bet on the New York Yankees vs. Cincinnati Reds game. Here, the favorite is Team 1—in this case, it’s the Yankees. Team 2 is the Reds. On CryptoRush, the team on the top is Team 1 and the one on the bottom is Team 2.

Since I think the Yankees will beat the Reds by more than 1.5 runs, I’ll click on -1.5.

Here’s how the bet looks.

So if the Yankees cover the spread (win by more than 2 runs), the bet would yield $98 per $100 bet. That means if I bet $100 in cryptocurrency, and I’d get back $199.

Pretty simple, right?

For some who like to get frisky, like myself, I may want to parlay spread bets. That means combining different spread bets. So let’s say I think the New York Mets would cover the spread too.

If both teams cover the spread, then a $100 bet in crypto would yield $399.99. But keep in mind, this is a really risky bet, and if one team doesn’t cover the spread, or wins by just 1… then the parlay is broken and I’d lose the $100.

Try Spread Betting on CryptoRush

Remember, the + is for the underdog and the – is for the favorite. That means the underdog can lose by less than the margin and you can still win the spread bet. On the flip side, the favorite must win by more than the margin for you to win the bet.

Now that you know what spread betting is, it’s time for you to get in on the action. You should know enough to make an informed wager.

If you’re new to CryptoRush and sign up today, you can take advantage of the 100% Sports Welcome Bonus. That means even if you don’t hit one of your bets, you can have more cryptocurrency to wager.

Steven Wong.

Author

Steven made his mark as a trader exploiting the options market and as a savvy crypto investor. With a keen eye for exploiting bets and markets, he turned to online casinos for the fun of it. He loves to play crypto casino table games like baccarat and blackjack from the comfort of his home. His unique blend of trading and betting prowess allows him to provide unique insights to our audience.