With the ever-growing popularity of sports betting, sports fans and gamblers alike are often exposed to different terms and phrases related to wagering. One of the most common terms used by sportsbooks when setting betting lines is the ‘spread’. This article aims to explain what a +7 spread means in the context of betting.
What is a Spread?
A spread is a type of bet that requires the bettor to predict the margin of victory or defeat. It is also known as a ‘point spread’, as it is usually expressed as a number of points. The spread is used to handicap a game in order to level the playing field for both teams. The spread is set by the sportsbook and/or the oddsmakers in order to make the game more attractive to bettors by making the game more even.
In order to determine the winner of a bet, the bettor must not only pick the winner of the game but must also predict the margin of victory or defeat. For example, if a team is favoured to win by 7 points, then the bettor must pick the team to win and by more than 7 points in order to win the bet.
What Does a +7 Spread Mean?
A +7 spread means that the bettor must pick the team to win by more than 7 points in order to win the bet. This means that if the team is favoured to win by 7 points, then the bettor must pick the team to win by 8 points or more in order to win the bet.
If the team is the underdog, then the bettor must pick the team to win, or lose by less than 7 points in order to win the bet. This means that if the team is the underdog and is given a 7 point spread, then the bettor must pick the team to win, or lose by 6 points or less in order to win the bet.
For example, if Team A is a 7-point favourite over Team B, then the bettor must pick Team A to win by 8 points or more in order to win the bet. If Team B is a 7-point underdog, then the bettor must pick Team B to win or lose by 6 points or less in order to win the bet.
Why is the Spread Used?
The spread is used by sportsbooks and oddsmakers to make the game more attractive to bettors by creating a more even playing field. When setting the spread, the oddsmakers will take into account factors such as the strength of each team, injuries, and other factors that may affect the outcome of the game.
For example, if Team A is a strong favourite and is expected to win by a wide margin, then the spread may be set at +7 in order to make the game more attractive to bettors. This means that the bettor must pick Team A to win by 8 points or more in order to win the bet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a +7 spread means that the bettor must pick the team to win by more than 7 points in order to win the bet. If the team is the underdog, then the bettor must pick the team to win, or lose by less than 7 points in order to win the bet. The spread is used by sportsbooks and oddsmakers to make the game more attractive to bettors by creating a more even playing field.