Betting Lines – What Are They and How do They Work?

In a nutshell, a betting line is an artificial equalization between the odds of a specific market. In many cases, a sporting event will take place where one team is significantly better than the other. In order for the sportsbook to create a competitive advantage for the weaker side in the event (often referred to as the “underdog”), the bookie will grant a handicap points advantage. Wagering on lines is also referred to as “spread or handicap wagering. “

Who Sets the Betting Lines?

As it is the bookies that are the ones facilitating the sports wagering, it comes as no surprise that they are also the ones that set them. It is an all-known fact that bookies don’t like setting betting lines, but it is one of the few possible ways in which they can equalize the odds so as to provide a balanced market for its punters. Although every sportsbook has its own algorithm for the formulation of wagering lines, they observe one another constantly in order to create a better market.

When Do Wagering Lines Come Out?

Although there are cases when bookies release the betting lines a few days before the event itself, they are usually announced on the day the sports event is about to take place. “Same day release” is common with land-based bookies; on the other hand, if an online sportsbook tends to put out betting lines on a specific market, they will do so on the day the odds are made available for wagering.

When Are They Applied?

Handicapping odds can happen only if a sporting event is about to be resolved in a win or lose outcome. Some time ago, even with handicaps being in place, there were situations where the market resulted in a “draw.” Usually, when a betting line results in a draw, the wagers are refunded to punters. In order to eliminate the need for refunding its punters, bookies have started giving a handicap of points with a decimal value – this way, a draw result is going to be avoided.

It would be good to know what represents the betting calculators.

The Most Popular Sports Markets with Betting Lines

Any sport that has to do with gathering points and scores is viable to be handicapped by the bookie; however, it is natural that some have more wagering lines than others. Football, Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball are the sports that are known to offer the most handicapped markets. A good “rule of thumb” is that the bigger the sports league is, the more betting lines there will be.

The Best Betting Systems – Sports Betting Strategies That Work

Handicaps Provide an Interesting Paradox

Let’s say that team A and team B are having a football match. Team A is considerably better and has market odds of 1.5. As the underdog, team B has odds of 3.0. Because of that, the bookie will give team B a handicap advantage of 2.5 goals. When the event has concluded, and Team A has won with a result of 1-0, those who have bet on team B would still reap the benefits, because the betting line result would be 1-2.5!

The Need for Equalization Will Breed More Betting Opportunities

In some cases, sportsbooks are forced to provide a handicap bet for some of their markets; however, the reasons for that are much more interesting than simply providing the underdog side with an advantage. If a bookie doesn’t offer a handicapped market for a specific event, another competitor will. In the bookie industry, bookie customers can change on a whim, and this is why it is important for sportsbooks to offer the betting lines punters expect to see.