Sports Betting - How do you interpret this?

[G_Thang]

I know getbig has some guys who bet and do online poker, but how does the point spread work in sports?  Sorry, I'm too lazy to look it up. 

 Final   1   2   3   4   Pts
Minnesota Vikings    0    14    0    0   14
Green Bay Packers    10    0    10    3   23

GB -9 
Minn +9

I'm assuming GB needed to win by > 9pts for a payout, so 9 even doesn't pay, correct?

[El Diablo Blanco]

being - means you are starting the game with a negative score.  In this case you can say Green Bay started the game down by 9.

So if they finish 9 points apart with GB winning, in sports betting means they tied.  You don't get paid.

[The Abdominal Snoman]

They call a tie in sports betting "A Push"...No payout.

[tommywishbone]

The call a tie in sports betting "A Push"...No payout.

On the wager you listed in your post op, as note here, it would have been a push aka tie.  You would be entitled to your entire bet back. Many sports books will let you "Buy" 1/2 a point. Some guys that handicap and bet sports for a living, actually "buy 1/2 a point" in these types of spots.

[Obvious Gimmick]

bookies love ties b/c nobody gets paid. unless they bought points like AS said.

The line is just designed to have 1/2 of the gamblers bet on A and 1/2 on B. that way, they NEVER lose. They always win 10% (the vig)

[G_Thang]

Ok, if you took Pitt +7 against Bal -7, you'd win since Pitt is about to kick the winning, 23-20, FG, and keeps it under 7, or is that Bal beats them by less than 7.  Two pts but two different outcomes, based on the +/-7?

[tommywishbone]

Ok, if you took Pitt +7 against Bal -7, you'd win since Pitt is about to kick the winning, 23-20, FG, and keeps it under 7, or is that Bal beats them by less than 7.  

Correct sir.  Pitt +7 is a winner!

Balt could have won the game 20 - 14 and if you had Pitt +7 you still would have won your bet.

[G_Thang]

Correct sir.  Pitt +7 is a winner!

I guess guys are right.  Spread keeps bookies from losing.

[tommywishbone]

I guess guys are right.  Spread keeps bookies from losing.

It is VERY difficult to beat the spread in the NFL week after week. Very tough.  The cats that set the line (the point spread) are good, very good.

[tommywishbone]

Ok, if you took Pitt +7 against Bal -7, you'd win since Pitt is about to kick the winning, 23-20, FG, and keeps it under 7, or is that Bal beats them by less than 7.  Two pts but two different outcomes, based on the +/-7?

And remember- you took Pittsburg +7.  You didn't take Pittsburg +7 against Baltimore -7. 

In a bar a guy might say, "I'll give you Pittsburg +7. You want the bet?"    In a casino the wager you make is "Pitt +7."

[G_Thang]

And remember- you took Pittsburg +7.  You didn't take Pittsburg +7 against Baltimore -7. 

In a bar a guy might say, "I'll give you Pittsburg +7. You want the bet?"    In a casino the wager you make is "Pitt +7."

Thanks.  I just never took the time to understand how the system works.  Anyway, I don't play lotto, so I definitely wouldn't take my chances in this type of crap shoot.  But I guess it pays well for the pros, who can play a couple of games weekly and average out winners vs losers. 

[tommywishbone]

I've spent a lot of time in Las Vegas over the last 15-18 years, and in all that time I know two (2) guys who make their living, pay their bills, via sports betting. I've watched these guys place their bets at the window and I've been standing there when they got paid on winners. Rare.

That's why I bet on hookers. $100 bet on a hooker, gets guaranteed results.  

Edited to change 4 to 2.

[Obvious Gimmick]

Thanks.  I just never took the time to understand how the system works.  Anyway, I don't play lotto, so I definitely wouldn't take my chances in this type of crap shoot.  But I guess it pays well for the pros, who can play a couple of games weekly and average out winners vs losers. 

I always here these guys on the AM sports dial on Sat morning. "This is Ray Carbone, The CASH MACHINE!. call me, ill give you 3 guarenteed winners or the rest of the year for FREE."
All bullsiht.
Just bet enough to enjoy the game and make you REALLY root for a team. but not so much as too get pinched when you lose. becasue you will lose. I rarely do any sports betting. but when I do, its a whopping 20 - 50$ a game. maybe 2 games a weekend. total of 4 a year.

[tommywishbone]

^
This.

A little action on a game makes it exciting. And those guys that give away those "Fort Knot, money in the bank, I love money" winners? Just like supplement ads in Muscle Mags.

[joejoe]

It is VERY difficult to beat the spread in the NFL week after week. Very tough.  The cats that set the line (the point spread) are good, very good.

First part is correct, but not for your reason stated. Its hard to win consistently because winners pay the near 10% vig. That is a huge difference to make up when almoat all information is public today. For every line you show me the oddsmakers put correct, I can show you one they missed by double digits.

Just like the bookies and sportsbooks prefer 50% on both teams guaranteeing a profit, the assholes advertising "monster locks or your money back" will give 50% of the callers one team and 50% the other. That way they sucker in half the morons

[tommywishbone]

First part is correct, but not for your reason stated. Its hard to win consistently because winners pay the near 10% vig. That is a huge difference to make up when almoat all information is public today. For every line you show me the oddsmakers put correct, I can show you one they missed by double digits.

Just like the bookies and sportsbooks prefer 50% on both teams guaranteeing a profit, the assholes advertising "monster locks or your money back" will give 50% of the callers one team and 50% the other. That way they sucker in half the morons

The vig is a killer, absolutely. +110 vs 105 is huge.

Keep in mind JJ, we were giving a sports betting newbie some info. No need to add the "vig" to the mix to cause more confusion. IMO.

[tommywishbone]

Vig = Vigorish. Vigorish is Yiddish for "money" or "my money."

The Vig is the "handling charge" any bookie or legit sports book will apply to your wager for taking or "handling" your action.