Many in sports betting refer to “laying the points”. In a point spread wager, this implies supporting the favorite. Said another way, when we “lay the points,” one is betting on the team projected to win by even more than the point spread set by an oddsmaker. If your team is a -5 favorite, say, it will have to win by at least six points to pay the bet.
Although your team wins are your main worry, they also have to cover what the bookie has lopped off for you to be a winner. Common bettors will commonly choose such sports as the NBA and NFL, where strong teams routinely face weak ones and point spreads are used to balance the degree of competitiveness. We examine more closely in this piece what “laying the points” really means, offer several instances, and talk about whether it is worth it after all.
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Examples of Laying the Points in Sports Betting
Let us now review some examples to assist in your better understanding.
| Examples ⤵️ |
|---|
| The Los Angeles Lakers won the title of an in-season tournament by defeating the Indiana Pacers 123-109 (3.5 points more than projected). The team covered the spread, so the bettors with the Lakers laid their points. |
| Sporting a 4½ point spread, the Los Angeles Rams faced the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. For those who bet on Cincinnati, fortunately, they covered the spread even though they lost the game 23–20. |
For those laying to win a “laying the points,” these instances show that the favored side must win by more margin than the spread. You lose your play, even if they do knock down the game.
Is Laying the Points a Smart Betting Strategy?
Depending on the team and the spread, betting on point spreads can be a pretty smart gamble. The old wisdom says that: ‘Good teams win games, and great teams cover the spread!’ However, many casual bettors simply pick the favorite without thinking about whether they can actually cover the particular point spread that their odds are designed to cover.
For example, the odds on teams like the Golden State Warriors or New England Patriots, which are big names in American sports, are sometimes quite extreme when betting on them. Indeed, they win the game, but with a large spread to cover, it is not so easy and is a much riskier gamble.
Also, be very careful when your heart is emotionally attached to any team. If you see your favorite team winning and then losing because they failed to cover the spread, it makes you angry.
In fact, betting on points can be a sensible approach if you are investing in favorites. Usually a good spread and a predicted team win means an easy win and extra money.
Key Factors to Consider When Laying the Points
If you’re unsure if laying the points is the best course of action, take into account the following:
Has the favorite lately been on a hot streak, or are they under duress? If a team is in good spirit, they have better possibility of covering the spread.
Usually, teams excel on their home grounds. A house advantage makes it easier for them to cover the distance.
See whether the team’s average victory margin either matches or surpasses the spread. You have to ponder if a team used to win by three points finds their spread to be 6.5.
It will be more difficult to cover a team that has had little rest or returns from match to match in poor condition.
The most crucial aspect of sports betting favorites is public perception. Public betting allows very popular teams to automatically wager their spreads, which makes it difficult for them with their well-known names to keep on covering at lower odds. See the tightly moving line.
How to Identify Which Team is Laying the Points?
Once you understand point spread behavior, choosing which team is laying the points comes easily. Next to the point spread of the favorite on the betting line will be a negative (-). If Team A is classified as -3, for example, they’re favored and must win by a margin of more than three points to cover the spread.
Conversely, the underdog will show a plus (+) sign. For example, should Team B—listed at +6—win the game hands-down or lose by less than six points, you would still be eligible to win the bet.
Usually included in point spreads are half-points, such -3.5 or +6.5, to avoid ties. If the favorite wins exactly the spread, your stake is refunded—a push.
You so only need to search for the minus (-) sign to identify the team laying the points.
The Conclusion
Carefully consider elements including the team’s previous form, their home versus away performance, the point spread, and any scheduling problems including tiredness before laying bets. Steer clear of betting on teams with inflated spreads, particularly if public opinion has drastically changed the line of reference. Studying thoroughly and carefully assessing the conditions can help you raise your chances of making profitable bets.
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