How Do Alternate Betting Lines Work?

The legalization of sports wagering is continuing to spread throughout the United States, and now that it is a fact in Arizona, it's time to take part in the action. No matter what you are looking for, there is no shortage of betting thanks to betting lines for almost any major professional or college club. Bookmakers put a lot of effort into choosing the best lines for each sport. They are frequently very exact, which is why casinos are still in operation.

You may desire slightly altered sportsbook lines when placing bets. This could be to increase your chances of winning a bet with a smaller reward, or conversely, to reduce your winning odds with the possibility of a larger payout. This is where alternate betting lines can be beneficial. Sportsbooks permit you to adjust the lines, leaving the decision of its worth to you.

This guide aims to enhance your understanding of the technique by covering betting on alternative lines, and will include examples from various sports.

explained different betting lines

If you utilize various lines, you gain more control over your bets. Shifting the line in your favor can result in a lower potential payout. Conversely, if you weigh the odds in favor of the sportsbook, the opposite occurs. Different lines are usually accessible for point spreads and flat totals. A mere 0.5 point shift in any direction can significantly alter your odds, making sports betting particularly popular.

The basics of point spreads and numbers bets will be discussed in the following sections, accompanied by illustrations of various betting lines.

Different ranges in spread betting

For those unfamiliar, the stage spread is essentially a method used by oddsmakers to balance the competition. If you’ve taken part in any game, you’ll know that not all teams are created equal. Usually, one is stronger than the other. To counteract this, oddsmakers often give the weaker team extra points.

For instance, suppose the Arizona Cardinals are slated to be 5.5-point underdogs in their forthcoming away game against the Seattle Seahawks. This is how it would be depicted on the NFL betting board, maintaining the conventional -110 odds for both teams.

• Arizona Cardinals +5.5 (110)
• 5.5% of 110 Seattle Seahawks

The favored team is denoted by a negative sign before its number, while the underdog is represented by the plus sign. For the Cardinals to cover the spread in this case, they would need to either win the game outright or lose by no more than 5.5 points. However, if you believe the Seahawks are better than what the bookmakers suggest, they would need to win this game by more than 5.5 points.

So, how does the reward system work? Commonly, the point spread is set at -110 for each goal, with bookmakers striving for balanced action on both ends. To understand this better, let’s take $100 as an example. In order to gain a profit of $100 on a winning bet with -110 odds, you would need to place a bet of $110. It’s generally hard to consistently beat bookmakers because both sides usually have negative odds, which is their way of profiting from such bets.

Suppose you’ve done your research and decided to place your bet on the Cardinals, but you’re not quite confident they will cover the +5.5 point spread. This is where the alternate betting lines come into play. To increase your chances of a successful bet, you could consider shifting the number by 1.5 points, moving it from +5.5 to +7. This gives you a higher probability of winning, but it also reduces the payout. Your revised bet might look something like this:

• Arizona Cardinals + 7 (146)

The odds have shifted from 110 to -146 due to you moving the line in your favor. Consequently, you don’t need to place a $110 bet to get a $100 profit anymore. Instead, a bet of $146 is required to earn a $100 profit on a successful wager.

Alternatively, suppose you firmly believe that the Cardinals could exceed the expectations of the oddsmakers, with a range of +5.5. You adjust the series by 2.5 points as you are confident that not only they will manage that spread, but they can also take care of +3. Here’s what your bet might look like:

• Cardinals of Arizona + 145

If the Cardinals either win the game outright or lose by less than three points, you could potentially receive a substantial payment. If you wager $100 and your prediction is correct, you could earn a profit of $142. This is what the odds of +142 imply.

betting on alternative traces in totals

Wagers placed on the combined score of both teams in a game are referred to as totals or over/unders. When betting on these figures, the winner of the game or the margin of victory is irrelevant. The bet is made on whether the actual points scored will be higher or lower than the number set by the oddsmakers.

This example will guide us through NBA betting. The oddsmakers often set the odds at -110 for both sides, similar to the point spread. Consider a match between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers with an over/under of 220 points. The betting board might appear as follows:

• Over 220 (110)
• less than 220 (110)

Consider betting on the over if you believe the combined score of the Suns and Lakers will exceed 220. If you’re confident, you might place a wager on the over, predicting the total score will not surpass 220. The odds for this could be similar to those for the point spread bet.

Shall we proceed to lay some bets then? If you fancy the over but want to enhance your winning odds, you can amplify the number five factors to 215. The wager might now look like this:

• 177 is more than 215.

You would have to place a bet of $177 to potentially gain a $100 profit, due to the number shifting five full points to your advantage, altering the odds from -110 to -177.

Alternatively, if you are completely sure that the aforementioned will occur, you could adjust by five points in the same direction and establish the line at 225.

• greater than 365

If the odds against you are changed, a bet of A$100 at +140 odds could now lead to a profit of A$140 if it’s correct.

Where can I find different gaming lines?

Finding different betting lines on most AZ online sportsbook apps is a simple task. For instance, let’s consider DraftKings Sportsbook, although the procedure is probably similar at most other sportsbooks.

Choose the category you wish to bet on from the app’s pages. You will see a full list of games for that sport. Links to “Alternate Point Spread” and “Alternate Total Points” are found near the top. Click on the option you’re interested in to view a comprehensive list of possible bets, along with odds for each outcome.

How to place bets on different outlines

Explaining betting on alternative lines is best done through the analogy of buying or selling items in exchange for odds. When you buy points, you sacrifice some of the potential conflict for a higher probability of winning. Conversely, when you sell items, you enhance the odds but decrease your likelihood of achieving the desired result. Here are some examples of alternative lines for various sports:

Different ranges for the NFL

In sports betting, especially with point spreads, there are key numbers that are important for placing bets. The numbers three and seven are the most important because they often determine the outcome of games due to touchdowns or field goals. It’s essential to understand these when looking at different ranges. For example, let’s say the Cardinals are bringing it back home and their game against the Los Angeles Rams is declared with a 3.5-point favor.

• Los Angeles Rams +3.5% (at +110 odds)
• Arizona Cardinals -3.5 (110)

You comprehend that the Cardinals must secure a victory of more than 3.5 to cover with Arizona at -3.5%. You wish to adjust the line up one complete level to lower it to Cardinals -2.5, as many games culminate with a 3-0 victory margin. Consequently, a three-point triumph becomes a successful bet for you. Now, your wager could look something like this:

• Arizona Cardinals (2.5 (167) – 2.5)

If Arizona manages a three-point victory, it might have been worth it, even though you sacrificed significant odds to win by just one point.

MLB different outlines

Alternate lines are not only favored in the NFL, but MLB bettors also have the option to use them. What distinguishes baseball is that the run line (equivalent to the point spread in baseball) usually has a standard number: -1.5 for the favored team and +1.5 for the underdog. Nevertheless, the odds may significantly deviate from the conventional -110 odds often seen in sports such as football.

For instance, let’s assume the Unibet betting site in Arizona displays a game where the Arizona Diamondbacks are considered as the favorite.

• Atlanta Braves + 205.5
• Arizona Diamondbacks (1.5 + 115)

You may have a negative outlook on the Diamondbacks’ prospects because they have a top player on the mound and increase the scoreline by an additional 1.5 runs. Consequently, your bet would look like this:

• Arizona Diamondbacks (3, +210)

If the Diamondbacks win by more than three runs, the payout you’d receive would be respectable compared to the amount you risked.

NHL different lines

There are numerous alternative betting options for NHL games. For instance, we can establish a new goal total. In this example, we’ll consider a match between the Arizona Coyotes and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Let’s take a look at the total goals at BetMGM AZ for this scenario.

• 143 divided by 5.
• less than 123

According to these statistics, the oddsmakers believe that the aforementioned has the highest probability of scoring. You agree with this prediction, expecting the game to yield a minimum of six goals. You then adjust the over by 0.5 points, modifying your wager accordingly:

• 5 + 120, which is greater than 5.

Your solution has been validated if the ball strikes the back of the net six times.

Alternative gaming advice

Consider the following advice when placing bets on different outlines:

• By creating accounts at various sportsbooks, you can compare the diverse lines against each other to find the most favorable number for the bet you wish to make.
• Obtain your desired line in parlays: A parlay is a wagering style where you must correctly predict multiple outcomes to win, typically offering a high payout. When betting on alternate lines, it could be beneficial to secure the numbers you prefer. Despite the cost of purchasing points, a successful parlay could yield a significant payout.
• Purchase points for greater returns: Conversely, if you are confident in your winning ability, don’t hesitate to sacrifice some points for the potential of a larger profit.
• Monitor key statistics for the NFL: Due to the nature of the rating system, critical numbers are significant when wagering on NFL games. You can potentially utilize these important numbers to your benefit by betting on various lines.

FAQs on different betting lines

Do all sports offer additional lines?

Various betting lines are available for nearly all sports that involve a point spread or full. The importance of these alternate lines can vary based on the sport. However, they are most significant and popular in the context of placing bets on NFL games.

Do alternative lines have any disadvantages?

There are two clear disadvantages of betting on various scenarios. Buying positions that favor you enhances your likelihood of winning a bet, but you will typically receive a lower payout. On the other hand, selling items can yield a substantial return, but the probability of a successful wager decreases.

When should you steer clear of side roads?

Due to the aforementioned drawbacks, certain sports bettors will completely steer clear of differing lines. It’s up to your personal preference whether you want to take a risk and alter the odds to favor or disadvantage your bet. Some gamblers might deem the effort not worthwhile. It’s your decision to determine if it’s something you’re willing to try.