What is spread betting & how does it work?

Spread betting lets people speculate on the direction of a financial market or other activity without actually owning the underlying security; they simply bet on its price movement. There are several strategies used in spread betting, from trend following to news-based wagers.

What is vigorish in spread betting?

The vigorish, also known as juice, can be seen on each spread bet before placing your wager. The vig can be thought of as the book’s fee for taking the wager. Arguably the best thing about spread betting is that the odds are normally between the -120 and +100 odds range.

What does a +1.5 spread mean in baseball betting?

Alternatively, a +1.5 spread means that the favorite must win by two points, runs, etc. or more. The +1.5 is the standard “run line” in MLB betting. Many baseball games are decided by fewer than two runs. In the event that the underdog only loses by one, they would be doing what is called “winning by the hook.”

How do you know if a point spread is a good bet?

Look for reverse line movement. Pay attention to any reverse line movement, which occurs when the point spread moves in the opposite direction of the betting percentages. This can indicate sharp money or insider information, and may signal an opportunity to place a bet on the underdog team.