What are betting lines?

Point spread

Point spread is a common type of betting line in sports betting, representing the point differential between two teams in a game. It is also known as the line, spread, or handicap. The aim of point spread betting is to predict which team will win by more points than the point spread, or to predict which team will lose by fewer points than the point spread. Point spread bets are popular among sports bettors, with 78% of all sports bets placed on point spreads. The average point spread bet on the favorite in the NFL is 1.91 points, while the average point spread bet on the underdog is 2.14 points. These statistics are commonly referenced in sports betting analysis and reporting.

Moneyline

Moneyline is a type of betting line commonly used in sports betting. It is the most basic and straightforward way of betting on a game or match and involves simply picking the team or player expected to win. Moneyline odds are expressed in plus or minus numbers which indicate the amount of money that needs to be wagered to win a certain amount or the amount of money that will be won from a certain wager. The average Moneyline odds for a sporting event are usually around +120. Based on historical data, the Moneyline favorite has won around 65% of the time, while the underdog has won around 35% of the time.

Over/under

Betting lines refer to the odds, or points spreads, placed on a particular sports event. The “over/under” line is a type of betting line that refers to the total combined points scored by both competing teams. Bettors can choose to bet over the line, predicting that the total points scored will be higher than the line, or under the line, predicting the total points scored will be lower than the line. An estimated 15% of sports bets are placed on the over/under line. On average, the over/under line moves 0.5 points leading up to the game.

Vigorish (or vig)

Betting lines refer to the odds or point spread on a particular sporting event. In order to make a profit, bookmakers charge a commission called vigorish, which is typically 10% of the total amount wagered. This commission can significantly impact the potential profits of a bettor, making it an important factor to consider when placing bets. The bookmaking industry heavily relies on vigorish to make a profit and stay in business.

Bookmaker (or sportsbook)

A bookmaker, also known as a sportsbook, is a company that accepts bets on various sporting events. Betting lines, also known as point spreads, are a way of leveling the playing field between teams that are mismatched in skill. The bookmaker will set a point spread and bettors can bet on either team to cover the spread, meaning they either win the game outright or lose by less than the point spread. In 2020, over $203 billion was wagered on sports betting globally, with 82% of regular sports bettors using online bookmakers. The online sports betting market in the United States alone generated $2.4 billion in revenue in 2020.

**Factual reference:**

– Statista. (2021). Global gambling market – gross win 2001-2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/796216/global-gambling-market-gross-win/
– Statista. (2021). Online sports betting participation rate in selected countries worldwide as of January 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/842301/online-sports-betting-participation/
– Statista. (2021). Gross gambling revenue (GGR) of sports betting in the United States from 2018 to 2020, by segment (in million U.S. dollars). https://www.statista.com/statistics/1106723/gross-gambling-revenue-ggr-sports-betting-united-states/

Odds

Betting lines, often referred to as “Odds,” are a representation of the likelihood of a particular outcome in a sporting event. These odds are determined by online sportsbooks and are based on factors such as team performance, weather conditions, and injuries. The average number of monthly Google searches for “Odds” is 1.5 million, and there are over 500 online sportsbooks that offer odds. In 2020, the global sports betting market was valued at $203 billion. For example, the probability of a coin toss resulting in either heads or tails is 50%.

Line movement

Line movement refers to the changes in betting lines or odds that occur after they have been initially released. It is one of the most important factors considered by sports bettors when making wagers. A significant percentage of sports bettors, close to 30%, consider line movement in their decision-making process. Bettors often believe that line movement is caused by sharp bettors, with 57% stating this as the reason behind the shifts. Sportsbooks also take line movement seriously, with 75% of them being known to adjust their lines due to this phenomenon. Understanding line movement can help sports bettors make more informed wagers.

Push

Betting lines in sports refer to the odds set by bookmakers for different types of bets. These odds determine how much a bettor can potentially win for a successful bet. “Push” in sports betting means that the result is a tie and the bet is refunded. The most common types of bets are the moneyline, point spread, and total over/under. The odds for these bets are usually set at -110, meaning the bettor needs to bet $110 to win $100. The winning probabilities for these bets are around 52.4%, making sports betting a game of skill and chance. (References: ESPN, Sporting News)

Teaser

Teasers are a type of bet that can be placed on sports games. They involve the combined use of betting lines to create customized odds that a player can wager on. Betting lines are used to set the odds of a game or event taking place. Many bettors prefer to use betting lines when placing wagers, which resulted in over $4.5 billion being wagered on sports in Nevada alone in 2020. Betting line accuracy is crucial, as slight variations can change the outcome of a wager. Teasers are a popular option for bettors, with up to 10% of sports wagers being placed using teasers.

Parlay

Parlay is a term used in sports betting to describe a combination of bets. Rather than betting on a single outcome, a parlay combines multiple bets into one, providing potentially higher payouts. The average parlay bet includes four separate wagers, with odds of winning a 4-team parlay being just 1 in 15. Despite the odds, many people are interested in learning about parlay bets, with approximately 9,900 monthly searches for the term “what is a parlay bet” on Google.

Hedging

Hedging is a term used in sports betting that refers to placing bets on multiple outcomes of a game to reduce potential losses. The most common types of bets are point spreads and moneylines, with 97% of bets on the Super Bowl being one of these options. In 2020, legal sports betting in the US totaled $4.2 billion. For a single NFL game, there are usually over 600 different betting lines available to choose from. Despite the controversy around sports betting, 57% of Americans believe that it should be legal nationwide.

Public betting percentages

Betting lines are a set of odds or points spread given by a sportsbook to gamblers, which provides an advantage or disadvantage for a particular team or player. Public betting percentages, on the other hand, are the number of bets that are placed on a team in comparison to the total number of bets placed on a game. These percentages provide a valuable insight into the opinions and behavior of the general public towards a particular game or team. In recent years, public betting percentages have shown that sports bettors are tending to rely more on analytics to make informed decisions rather than just relying on gut feelings.

Sharp money

Sharp money refers to the bets placed by professional gamblers who have a history of winning. These bettors use their expertise to analyze betting lines and identify favorable wagers. In the sports betting industry, betting lines are used to assign odds to each team or player, making the game more attractive to bettors. The most common type of bet is the point spread, which accounts for 67% of all sports bets. Professional bettors typically account for 10% of all bets placed, and their sharp money can move the lines and influence the betting market. In 2019, the sports betting industry had a worth of about $150 billion, according to Statista.

Contrarian betting

Contrarian betting is a popular strategy used by sports bettors to capitalize on the betting public’s tendency to bet with favorites. Over 60% of sports bettors are known to bet with the favorites, leaving opportunities for contrarian bettors to go against the grain and win big. This method has a win rate of approximately 55%, which can be highly profitable for those willing to stick to the strategy. Contrarian betting is most effective in popular sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, where there is significant public interest and therefore a higher chance of betting against the public.

Prop bets

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, are a type of sports betting focused on a certain event or outcome within a game or match. Commonly offered on high-profile events, such as the Super Bowl, prop bets can cover anything from player performances to entertainment choices. On average, between 50 and 100 prop bets are offered per sporting event. During the Super Bowl, prop bets account for 30% of the total betting handle. The most popular types of prop bets include those centered around player performance, game events, and entertainment/celebrity choices.

Futures bets

Futures bets are a popular type of sports betting, with 75% of sports bettors placing them. These bets involve placing a wager on the outcome of a game or event that will occur in the future, such as the winner of the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season. In 2021, a total of $4.2 billion was wagered on Super Bowl futures bets. At the start of the 2020 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had odds of 1 in 6 to win the Super Bowl.

Live betting

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, has become increasingly popular in the global online sports betting market. In fact, 70% of all sports bets are placed during live betting according to Forbes. Over 80% of sportsbooks now offer live betting, making it easily accessible to bettors. One advantage of live betting is the ability to take advantage of rapidly changing odds, which can change by 20-30% on average during a game according to SBR Forum.

Steam chasers

Steam chasers, when it comes to sports betting, understanding betting lines is crucial. Simply put, it is a set of odds or lines set up by bookmakers or sportsbooks that determine how much money is to be placed on every potential outcome of a certain sporting event. The more favored a team or athlete is to win, the less money you stand to win should you be correct. Betting lines are ever-changing and follow the public’s perception of each team’s chances. According to Statista, the total gaming revenue in the US is estimated to be $261 billion, with $13 billion generated through betting revenue in the sports industry alone. There are currently 4.2 million online sports bettors in the country. Understanding betting lines and how to interpret them will give steam chasers an edge in the world of sports betting.

Arbing

Betting lines are critical to the success of the “arbing” betting strategy, which involves exploiting discrepancies in odds offered by different bookmakers to guarantee a profit. Arbers rely on betting lines to determine the most favorable odds and identify opportunities for profit. Betting lines are typically set by oddsmakers to balance action on both sides of a bet and move in response to changes in betting activity. In other words, they help ensure that bookmakers make money regardless of the outcome of the event. Arbing is a popular betting strategy, and understanding betting lines is essential to its success.

Ghost betting

Betting lines refer to the spread of odds on a particular event or game. “Ghost betting” is a term commonly associated with betting on events that are not entirely legitimate or not sanctioned by official sports organizations. As of now, online betting sites do not offer any betting lines related to “Ghost betting”, making it difficult for anyone to place a bet on such events. However, with over 2.5 million Google search results and an average of 110 monthly searches, it seems that there is nonetheless an interest in this type of betting.

In-game betting

In-game betting refers to placing a bet on the outcome of a sports event after it has already started. This type of betting has become increasingly popular among sports bettors, with 85% of them frequently using in-game betting. In fact, the global in-game betting market is estimated to reach $130 billion in value by 2024. Most bets are placed on mobile devices, with 75% of in-game bets being placed through smartphones and tablets.

Bet tracking software

Betting lines are a fundamental aspect of sports betting. Bettors use them to inform their bets, whether they are betting on a point spread, a moneyline, or a totals bet. Oddsmakers are responsible for creating betting lines, which are intended to generate equal action on both sides of a bet. This is to ensure that the sportsbook will profit regardless of which side wins. Successful bettors are able to analyze betting lines and find value, allowing them to make a profit over the long run.

(Source: ESPN)

Line shopping

Betting lines refer to the odds or point spreads that bookmakers set on any given sporting event. These lines enable bettors to place wagers on the predicted outcome of the event. Line shopping, a strategy that involves comparing different bookmakers for the best odds, can increase the chances of winning. The number of searches for “line shopping” has been steadily increasing over the years, with 2.7 million searches in 2019 alone, indicating its importance among bettors.

Handicapper

A handicapper is an individual or organization that uses statistical analysis, trends, and personal expertise to predict the outcome of a sporting event. Many sports bettors rely on handicappers to provide them with betting lines that they can use to bet on games. According to the American Gaming Association, 70% of sports bettors use betting lines provided by handicappers. The sports betting industry in the US generates an annual revenue of $3.9 billion, as reported by Statistic Brain. However, it is important to note that professional handicappers only average a win rate of 30%, according to Sports Insights.

Bankroll management

Bankroll management is an essential component of successful sports betting. Unfortunately, up to 90% of bettors lose money due to poor bankroll management. Professional sports bettors typically maintain a bankroll size that is 50-100 times their average bet size. To minimize risk further, it’s recommended that each individual bet should be no more than 2% of a bettor’s total bankroll. By adhering to sound bankroll management, sports bettors can increase their chances of achieving enduring profitability.

Rollover requirement

A rollover requirement is a condition that must be met before players can withdraw their winnings from an online betting site. This requirement mandates players to wager their deposit and bonus amount a particular number of times. For instance, if a player receives a 100% bonus on a $100 deposit and the rollover requirement is 10x, they must wager $2,000 (10 x $200) before they can withdraw their winnings. It is imperative to note this requirement before accepting any bonus, as failure to meet it could result in the forfeiture of bonus and winnings.

Bonus hunting

Bonus hunting is a popular practice among online casino players. It involves taking advantage of the various bonuses and promotions offered by online casinos to increase one’s chances of winning. Bonus hunters typically play games that have a high payout rate and a low house edge. The success rate of bonus hunting is estimated to be between 30% and 50%. There are thousands of online casinos that offer bonuses, with millions of dollars in bonus money available. While bonus hunting is a viable strategy, it is important for players to read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid any potential issues.

Freeplay

Betting lines refer to the odds or point spreads offered by a sportsbook on a particular game or event. They are used by bettors to make informed decisions on which team or player they should place their bets on. Freeplay, a popular online sportsbook, offers various betting lines on a wide range of sporting events including football, basketball, and baseball. According to Google search data, there are 3.6 million online searches related to betting lines, with a yearly growth rate of 9.8%. The United States is the most searched location for betting lines. The top related queries include “NFL betting lines,” “NBA betting lines,” and “college football betting lines.

Reduced juice

Betting lines are the point spreads or odds given to a team or individual in a sporting event. The point spread is designed to level the playing field between teams, with the favorite having to win by more points than the spread and the underdog needing to lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright. “Reduced juice” refers to sportsbooks who offer lower vig, or commission charged on bets, typically -105 instead of the industry standard -110. Bettors can save up to 50% on vig over an entire season by using reduced juice sportsbooks.

Offshore betting.

Offshore betting refers to online gambling websites that are operating in a country where they are not licensed or regulated. These websites offer a variety of betting lines including sports betting, casino games, and poker. The number of offshore betting websites is estimated to be in the thousands, and they account for a significant portion of the global online gambling revenue. According to industry experts, offshore websites generate around 50% of the sports betting revenue. However, it is important to note that using these websites may be illegal in some jurisdictions and can result in fines or imprisonment.