How betting lines differ by sport
Every sport uses the same few ideas, a head start (spread), a combined score (total) and a bet on who wins (moneyline). What changes is the unit, the usual size of the numbers, and how ties are handled.
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Worked example
To start, the box below is filled in with LAL -4.5 -110. This starting line is an NBA point spread. Tap a line from another sport under the card to compare. The box is editable: type any line, or tap one under the card, and the explanation updates.
LAL −4.5: LAL must win by 5 points or more.
What it means
4.5 points are taken off LAL's final score (the favorite gives up points). The other side of this bet is the opponent at +4.5, which wins on any result other than a 5+ point win for LAL.
Scenarios
| If… | LAL −4.5 | Opponent +4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| LAL win by 8 points | Win | Loss |
| LAL win by 3 points | Loss | Win |
| LAL lose by 2 points | Loss | Win |
The numbers
LAL −4.5 −110
- Implied probability
- 52.38%
- Decimal
- 1.91
- American
- −110
- Per 100 staked
- returns 190.91 (profit 90.91)
Watch out for
The spread isn't the price. In LAL −4.5 −110, −4.5 is the points and −110 is the odds. A minus spread means that team is the favorite.
Learn more: Point spread guide
Common lines to try
Spreads and totals
| Sport | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | Point spread; 3 and 7 are key margins | Points |
| NBA | Point spread, can pass 10 | Points, above 200 |
| MLB | Run line, usually 1.5 | Runs (u 8.5) |
| NHL | Puck line, usually 1.5 | Goals (O/U 5.5) |
| Soccer | Handicap, Asian handicap | Goals (O/U 2.5) |
| Boxing | None | Rounds (O/U 9.5 rounds) |
Points, runs and goals totals count both sides together. A boxing round total counts how long the fight lasts.
Moneylines and ties
| Sport | Moneyline | Ties or draws |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | Alongside the spread | Possible in the regular season |
| NBA | Alongside the spread | None: overtime until a winner |
| MLB | The main market | Very rare: extra innings |
| NHL | The main market | None: overtime, then a shootout in the regular season |
| Soccer | Three-way (1X2) | Common |
| Boxing | The main market | Possible: depends on the market |
What stays the same
- Spread: add the line to the team’s score and compare with the other team. A line ending in .5 can’t push. More in the point spread guide.
- Total: add both scores together and compare with the line. More in the over/under guide.
- Moneyline: a minus price is what you stake to win 100, a plus price is what 100 wins. More in the moneyline guide.
- Price: every line has a price, and both sides together add up to a little over 100% in implied probability. More in the why −110 guide.
What changes
- Low-scoring sports (baseball, hockey) usually set the spread at 1.5, with alternates available, and let the price do the work. High-scoring sports (football, basketball) move the spread itself.
- Ties are handled differently. Soccer uses a three-way market. Boxing depends on whether the market includes the draw. The NFL can tie in the regular season. Other sports play on.
- Overtime and extra time usually count in US sports, but soccer markets are usually settled on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Check the market rules.
Sport guides
Common misreadings
- A spread works differently in every sport.
- The reading is always the same. Add the spread to the team's score and compare. Only the name and the usual size change.
- Every sport handles a tie the same way.
- No. Soccer and boxing can end level, the NFL regular season can end in a tie, and the NBA and NHL always produce a winner. Check each sport's guide and the market rules.