What Does Laying The Points Mean In Betting?

Laying the points is another way of saying that you are betting on the favorite to win and cover the spread. In other words, you are giving up some points to the underdog in exchange for a higher probability of winning your bet.

For example, if you lay the points with Team A at -7, you are betting that Team A will win by more than 7 points. You are risking $110 to win $100 (or any other ratio based on the juice or vigorish). If Team A wins by 8 points or more, you win $100. If Team A wins by less than 8 points or loses, you lose $110.

Laying the points is a common strategy for many bettors who like to back the stronger teams and expect them to dominate their opponents. However, laying the points also comes with some risks and challenges.

What are the Risks and Challenges of Laying the Points?

One of the main risks of laying the points is that you are betting against the public opinion. The bookmaker sets the point spread based on how they expect the public to bet on the game. The more people bet on one team, the higher the point spread will be for that team. This means that if you lay the points with a popular team, you are going against the majority of bettors and hoping that they are wrong.

Another risk of laying the points is that you are exposing yourself to more variance and unpredictability. The point spread is not a precise measure of how much better one team is than another. It is influenced by many factors, such as injuries, motivation, weather, coaching, officiating, and luck. Sometimes, a team can win a game but fail to cover the spread by a small margin due to a late score, a missed field goal, a turnover, or a penalty. These events can be frustrating and costly for bettors who lay the points.

A third risk of laying the points is that you are paying a premium price for your bet. The bookmaker charges a commission or juice for every bet they accept. This means that you have to risk more than you can win when you lay the points. For example, if you lay -7 with Team A at -110 odds, you have to risk $110 to win $100. This means that you have to win more than 52.38% of your bets to break even in the long run.

How to Lay the Points Successfully?

Laying the points can be a profitable strategy if done correctly and carefully. Here are some tips on how to lay the points successfully:

• Do your research and analysis before placing your bets. Look at various factors that can affect the outcome of the game, such as statistics, trends, matchups, injuries, motivation, weather, etc.
• Compare different bookmakers and find the best odds and lines for your bets. Sometimes, you can find better value or lower juice by shopping around.
• Be selective and disciplined with your bets. Don’t bet on every game or every favorite. Look for spots where you have an edge or an advantage over the bookmaker.
• Manage your bankroll and risk wisely. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose or chase your losses. Set a budget and stick to it.
• Review your results and learn from your mistakes. Keep track of your bets and evaluate your performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your skills.

What is the Point Spread?

The point spread is a number that the bookmaker sets to make the betting more balanced and fair. The point spread represents the expected difference in points between the two teams in a game. For example, if Team A is favored to win by 7 points over Team B, the point spread would be -7 for Team A and +7 for Team B.

The point spread means that if you bet on Team A, they have to win by more than 7 points for you to win your bet. This is called covering the spread. If Team A wins by exactly 7 points, the bet is a push and you get your money back. If Team A wins by less than 7 points or loses the game, you lose your bet.

On the other hand, if you bet on Team B, they can either win the game or lose by less than 7 points for you to win your bet. This is called beating the spread. If Team B loses by exactly 7 points, the bet is a push and you get your money back. If Team B loses by more than 7 points, you lose your bet.

To Sum Up

Laying the points is a common and popular way to bet on sports, especially on football and basketball. It means that you are betting on the favorite to win and cover the point spread. However, laying the points also comes with some risks and challenges, such as betting against the public, facing more variance, and paying a premium price. Therefore, you need to do your homework, shop for the best odds, be selective, manage your money, and review your results. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of laying the points successfully and profitably.