Are you tired of the limited betting options provided by standard point spreads? Alternate spread betting offers a fresh perspective on sports betting, allowing you to customize your bets and find more favorable odds. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of alternate spreads, their benefits, and how to maximize your profits using them. But first, let’s answer the question: what does alternate spread mean in betting?
Understanding Alternate Spreads in Betting
Betting can take different forms. One of which is alternate spread betting. Here, the favorite has a negative number, and the underdog a positive number. To bet alternate lines, bettors can choose from various alternate betting lines offered by sportsbooks. This offers bettors more possibilities beyond the typical point spread, allowing them to modify the spread and the odds to find more favorable betting options.
To find alternate lines, bettors can compare odds and lines across multiple online sportsbooks, which can be accessed by navigating to the game on which they want to bet and selecting the alternate tabs. This gives bettors the opportunity to deviate from the total or spread set by the sportsbook, offering more betting options and increased chances of winning.
Main Spread vs. Alternate Spread
Sportsbooks offer alternate lines to enable bettors to modify the point spread in favor of the favored or underdog to acquire more attractive odds. These alternative spreads can be adjusted by up to 10 points in some cases, depending on the sportsbook or betting platform.
Betting on alternate lines involves buying or selling points on the spread or total for a sporting event, which can lead to increased potential winnings and more favorable odds. For example, in an NBA game, an alternate line could flip the spread to make the Heat the favorite, or increase the number of points the 76ers are giving up.
Incorporating alternate spreads into parlays and teasers can lead to increased potential winnings.
Factors Affecting Alternate Spreads
In NFL games and college football betting, alternate spreads widen the spread for an underdog to increase the likelihood of them achieving a score of seven points or more. In MLB betting, run lines are a form of wager analogous to point spreads in football and basketball.
Alternate run lines in MLB betting provide bettors the opportunity to modify the run line and alter the odds in favor of their selected team. The standard run line for underdogs is +1.5 and for favorites is -1.5 in MLB betting. Bettors can maximize their potential payout in MLB betting by selling points and adjusting the odds of underdogs and favorites accordingly.
Sports Offering Alternate Spreads
Alternate spreads are typically offered for wagering in various sports, including sports betting on:
- NFL
- College football
- NBA
- College basketball
- MLB
- NHL
Unfortunately, alternative spreads are not available for soccer betting.
Knowing the sports that offer alternate spreads can help you diversify your betting options and increase your chances of success.
NFL and College Football
Alternate spreads are utilized in NFL and college football betting to widen the spread for an underdog, increasing the likelihood of them achieving a score of seven points or more. In an NFL game and college football, alternative spreads are available to enable bettors to modify the point spread in favor of the favored or underdog to acquire more attractive odds, with some cases allowing adjustments of up to 10 points.
Strategies employed when betting on alternate spreads include line shopping, selling points for increased payouts, and combining bets in parlays or teasers. To achieve success with alternate spread betting, it is advised to stay up to date on team performance, pay attention to key numbers, and adjust to playoff environments.
NBA and College Basketball
In NBA and college basketball betting, alternate spreads play a significant role in increasing the spread for a favored home team. Alternate spreads in these sports enable bettors to adjust the point spread in favor of the favorite or underdog to find more appealing odds. The exact range of alternate spreads offered may differ depending on the sportsbook or betting platform.
MLB and NHL
In MLB games, alternate lines are commonly employed prior to the game commencing, with baseball games featuring a small Run Line that supports the favorite to win by 1.5 runs or more. Betting on the favorite to win by 2.5 or 3.5 runs would give bettors greater odds. Those who are confident in a comfortable victory may find good value in this type of wager.
Similarly, in NHL games, alternate lines are regularly used to increase the number of betting options, with puck lines being an alternate spread used in NHL games, which is a combination of a point spread and a money line.
Implementing strategies like line shopping, selling points for increased payouts, and combining bets in parlays or teasers can help maximize success when betting on alternate spreads in MLB and NHL.
How to Bet on Alternate Spreads
To bet on alternate spreads, you will first need to find the alternate lines offered by your sportsbook. In most cases, you can locate these lines by navigating to the game on which you want to bet and selecting the alternate tabs.
Once you’ve found the alternate lines, it’s essential to analyze the odds and potential payouts to ensure you’re making informed decisions. Let’s dive into some practical tips for betting on alternate spreads.
Finding the Best Alternate Spreads
To find the most favorable alternate spreads, bettors should compare odds and lines across multiple sportsbooks. By doing so, you can make sure you’re getting the best value for your bets and maximize your profits.
To find alternate lines, first select the desired league, then click on “Alternate Point Spread” and select from a variety of potential bets along with the corresponding odds. Keep in mind that not all sportsbooks offer the same range of alternate lines, so it’s essential to shop around.
Analyzing Odds and Potential Payouts
When betting on alternate spreads, it’s crucial to evaluate the odds and potential payouts associated with each line. The formula for calculating potential winnings is Potential Winnings = Wager Amount x (Odds/100). It’s essential to consider the relative strength of the teams, current weather conditions, and any other relevant factors that could influence the game’s outcome when evaluating the point spread.
When betting on alternate totals with just a half point, look for odds of -125 or better to maximize profits.
Strategies for Betting on Alternate Spreads
To maximize your profits when betting on alternate spreads, it’s essential to employ effective strategies. Some of these strategies include line shopping, selling points for increased payouts, and combining bets in parlays or teasers.
Let’s delve into each of these strategies and how they can help you make the most out of your alternate spread bets.
Line Shopping
Line shopping is a technique utilized by bettors to ensure they get the best value for their money. It involves comparing the odds at different sportsbooks and selecting the one with the most favorable payout. This is a critical aspect of alternate spread betting, as it ensures you’re getting the best value for your bets.
By reviewing multiple sites, you can ensure you receive the best odds available.
Selling Points for Higher Payouts
Selling points is a strategy that involves increasing the spread in your favor, effectively taking on more risk for the potential of a higher payout. For example, if you believe the spread is not accurately reflecting the game, you can opt to double down on your selection by taking an alternate line that shifts the spread in the opposite direction.
This can lead to increased potential winnings, but it’s essential to remember that it also carries increased risk.
Combining Bets in Parlays or Teasers
Parlays and teasers are wagering strategies that involve combining multiple wagers, with an increased payout if all of them are successful. Incorporating alternate spreads into parlays and teasers can lead to increased potential winnings.
However, it’s essential to remember that this approach carries increased risk, as all picks must be successful for the bet to yield a payout.
Tips for Success with Alternate Spread Betting
To improve your chances of success when betting on alternate spreads, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on team performance, pay attention to key numbers, and adjust to playoff environments.
Let’s explore some practical advice for each of these aspects.
Staying Informed on Team Performance
Remaining informed about team performance is essential in alternate spread betting, as it can assist bettors in making informed decisions. Staying abreast of team performance can be achieved by reading news and analysis from reliable sources, following team social media accounts, and watching games.
This will help you make better-informed decisions when choosing alternate spreads to bet on.
Focusing on Key Numbers
In alternate spread betting, key numbers are specific points that are more likely to be the margin of victory in a game, particularly in NFL games. The most prevalent key numbers are: 3, 7, 10, and 14.
Focusing on these key numbers can help you make more informed decisions when betting on alternate spreads, increasing your chances of success.
Adapting to Playoff Environments
During playoffs, the dynamics of various sports can change significantly, requiring adjustments to your betting strategy. Adapting to playoff environments involves sustaining a competitive attitude, rehearsing rotations, and accruing playoff experience.
Additionally, preserving the integrity of the activity or task and being mindful of team dynamics are also essential.
Alternate Totals: Another Betting Option
In addition to alternate spreads, alternate totals offer another way to customize bets and adjust odds. Like alternate spreads, alternate totals provide bettors with additional betting options and increased chances of winning. One such option is the alternate spread bet, which allows for more tailored wagering.
Let’s explore how alternate totals work and strategies for betting on them.
How Alternate Totals Work
Alternate totals refer to lines offered by oddsmakers that diverge from the original over/under for a game. By wagering on an alternate total, bettors can adjust the total either above or below the standard total. To find alternate totals, select the desired league, click on “Alternate Total Points,” and select from the available bets along with the corresponding odds.
Strategies for Betting on Alternate Totals
When betting on alternate totals, it’s crucial to employ effective strategies to maximize your profits. Some of these strategies include line shopping, selling points for increased payouts, and combining bets in parlays or teasers to combine multiple individual bets.
By analyzing odds and potential payouts, as well as staying informed on team performance, you can improve your chances of success when betting on alternate totals.
Summary
Alternate spread betting offers a fresh perspective on sports betting, allowing you to customize your bets and find more favorable odds. By understanding the concept of alternate spreads, employing effective strategies, and staying up-to-date on team performance, you can maximize your profits and improve your chances of success. So, go ahead and explore the world of alternate spreads and totals, and may the odds ever be in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does +7 alternate spread mean?
Alternate spread betting involves placing a bet on either the favorite (indicated with a negative number) or the underdog (indicated with a positive number), depending on the point spread set by the sportsbook. In this case, for example, you can either bet on New England with 7 points or San Francisco giving up 7 points, and the odds associated with each of the spreads will be different.
The point spread is the difference between the two teams’ scores, and it is used to even out the betting odds. If the favorite is given a negative number, then the underdog is given a positive number. The favorite must win by more than the point spread for the bet to pay off.
What is the difference between spread and alternate spread?
Alternative spread betting allows gamblers to pick a different point spread with a higher payout, while regular spread betting does not offer this option. In alternative spread betting, an underdog can take a lower amount of points and still cover, and a favorite can give away more points and still cover.
What is the purpose of alternate spreads in betting?
Alternate spreads offer bettors more possibilities beyond the typical point spread, allowing them to tailor their bets for a more favorable outcome.
