For the online sports betting aficionado, there is nothing more exciting than beating the odds.  The thrill of victory can come in different forms: you can win a wager on the outcome of a football game set by a differential of a point spread, or you can win a wager on a baseball game at 6-5 odds.  Now, this is all perfectly clear to the regular guy or gal who wagers on online sportsbook lines on a regular basis.  What if you are a recreational gambler, or even a beginner?  What are the differences that exist in the various forms of online sports gambling?

There are two basic formats for online sportsbook gambling.  You can bet games either by the point spread or by the money line.  The following is a delineation of these terms and of how a practical approach to each format will allow you to wager intelligently, conservatively and with a winning edge.

Point Spread – This term is used interchangeably with “the line” and “the spread.”  The point spread is the most common method the sportsbook handicappers use to establish the margin in which to handicap teams involved in a contest.  Think of it this way – the handicapper says to himself that Team A is 6 points better than Team B.  If we are using NFL terminology, let’s use the example that the New York Giants, playing at home with a healthy roster, are 6 points better than the Dallas Cowboys.  When you see the line posted on your favourite online sports gambling website, the team on the left side of the ledger, the New York Giants, is the favourite.  Then, there is a minus sign with a number in the middle, as indicated by (-6).  On the right hand side of the ledger is the underdog, in this instance the Dallas Cowboys.   What it means is that the Giants have to defeat the Cowboys by a final score of over 6 points to win.  If they fail to do so, they lose the bet.  If the final score is 36-30, a differential of 6 points, then the game is considered a “push” and is declared a non-bet.

Money Line – This term is used mostly in baseball and hockey and in boxing matches from time to time.  This line takes the place of a point spread.  The money line is wagering on the outcome of the contest no matter what the final score should be.  In other words, the team you bet on has to win the game, regardless of the final score.  When you review money lines on online sports gambling websites, the team on the left side of the ledger is the favourite.  In the middle, you will see a minus sign with a total, while the underdog is listed on the right side.  Let’s take, for example, a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals.  Taking all factors into account, including, but not limited to, home team, scheduled pitcher, weather conditions, physical and mental state of the teams and the patterns of wins and losses over the last ten games, the money line is set by professional handicappers.  In this instance, the Red Sox could be a -140 over the Royals.  That means that if you wager $100 on Boston and win, you will win $100 in return.  However, if you make an online sports gambling wager on Boston and lose the game, you stand to lose $140.  

Online sports betting is fun and can be profitable if you understand the nuances involved with your online sportbook bet.

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