Betting Odds - Can Someone Please Explain To Me?

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
It seems like it's bass ackwards. Why does the team that is supposed to win get the - odd such as LSU gets -7. Why isn't it +7 for the projected winner. Like win by 7. It seems it would make it a bit easier. Maybe I'm missing something. :confused:
 
-7 means if you take LSU in abet you have to give 7 points. It is based upon money. Point spreads move to get the money even so the bookie makes his juice.
 
Think of it like playing 1 on 1 with Lebron James in a game to 20. He is better than you so he spots you points, lets say 10, your start out the game at +10 points. Same concept, the worse team gets spotted + points. But as thawks1 said, it not what odds makers actually think will happen in the game, its set to equalize betting on both sides.
 
It means because they're the "better" team they enter the game at -7 points from a betting point of view. So that means LSU has to win by more than 7. Or you could look at it the other way with Iowa being +7. Iowa enters the game with a 7 point lead from a betting point of view. Bookies can't just let people bet who they think is going to win because everyone would just bet the favored team every time. Like the other poster said, it gets people to bet both sides.
 
Think of it like playing 1 on 1 with Lebron James in a game to 20. He is better than you so he spots you points, lets say 10, your start out the game at +10 points. Same concept, the worse team gets spotted + points. But as thawks1 said, it not what odds makers actually think will happen in the game, its set to equalize betting on both sides.

I would take LeBron in that bet.
 
You're better off not understanding it. Gambling is for suckers. Vegas didn't build all those million dollar casinos by being lucky.
 
What if you have a soft spot for builiding million dollar casinos? i consider this work philanthropy.
 
It seems like it's bass ackwards. Why does the team that is supposed to win get the - odd such as LSU gets -7. Why isn't it +7 for the projected winner. Like win by 7. It seems it would make it a bit easier. Maybe I'm missing something. :confused:

Hey Melrose, it may make more sense for you to look at the "moneyline" which is odds on a straight up win. In this case it is +245 for Iowa. So if you just want to bet that Iowa is going to win outright (no spread), for every $100 you bet you will win $245. On the opposite side, if you want to bet that LSU will win you have to wager $290 to win $100 (-290). The difference in the 290 and 245 is the profit the house has built in.

Dont know if this just confused you more, but it seems to be easier to understand for gambling noobs in my experience.
 
OH, I'm not planning on betting, I was just curious why they call it a -7 for a winning team. Just total curiosity. I'm not really the betting type.
 
Fwiw, here is what I think.
unless you spend atleast 10 hrs a week on it, dont even try it.
When you think you are good enough, just spend a whole season writing down what you would have done, and see how you do.
this year I laxed off, but normally I spend 20+ hrs a week watching ball and doing homework.
I suspect, that if a guy were to look at non cons only, kf rarely covers. I dont mind and I personally think it shows class. He is getting better at making sure they know they are beat, but I dont give 14+ points on anyone. Wisconsin was always good at running up the score, but who knows now.
So I tend to shy away from those games.
This year, like I said I laxed off and went 7-2. I normally go about 12/13- 3/4. Next year will be a tough one if we win our bowl, as the hawks will not be undervalued, depending on our new lb's we could be right on or slightly overvalued. Which means you will not get favorable odds.
To start the year, I think nebraska will be undervalued. They have to get a qb and stop the bleeding on turn overs, which I think they will.
I always have a set start amount and figure it over 5 games, because if I cant get 3-5, why keep going.
If there is any one thing I can not stress enough it is, there is no free lunch. If you have money to burn, that is one thing, otherwise you have to put the work in. I also suggest having lots of paper and a desk to work at.
Dont be greedy. Keep on a even keel. Dont panic. It has a mental side to it as well. Just tcob.
 
^^^^tldr
The short version. When your dreams about putang are replaced by football, you have started to put in enough work.
 
Think of it like playing 1 on 1 with Lebron James in a game to 20. He is better than you so he spots you points, lets say 10, your start out the game at +10 points. Same concept, the worse team gets spotted + points. But as thawks1 said, it not what odds makers actually think will happen in the game, its set to equalize betting on both sides.

I need at least 19 points from Lebron.
 
Fwiw, here is what I think.
unless you spend atleast 10 hrs a week on it, ................................... Just tcob.
I concur if the diff isn't any diff then the regular nocon diff, I would be inclined to not panic even on the even keel. Paper and a desk are yesterday's methods. Paper isn't environmentally friendly. And my phone is now my desk. And when I feel bleary eyed the phone desk becomes an Ipad. (bigger letters). I too agree n the prospective value of the second row. However nowadays we are seeing some market techniques in the game of oddsplaying. Word now is positions like backer play are being dollar cost averaged. Pretty cool. Just IMHO.
 
I suppose you could use two electronic devices to look up and store your compiled info and observations.
I have used backers, but not often.
If comfortable, i prefer to parlay and pick a few singles each week. Parlays pay nicely, so you can fall in you percentages and still come out smelling good.

Now as i said i am not greedy and just want to pay for a trip or two to attend some games. This works for me and keeps me even keeled.
I know some pretty heavy hitters and i could not live like that. They are up, they are down. Their mood is dependent on how they did that day.
Me i place, go to watch, if i win, i went for free, if not i still got to go and have a good time. I like going for free. :)
 
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It seems like it's bass ackwards. Why does the team that is supposed to win get the - odd such as LSU gets -7. Why isn't it +7 for the projected winner. Like win by 7. It seems it would make it a bit easier. Maybe I'm missing something. :confused:

It is a bit confusing. Many things in life are. We just have to get used to it.

For example, 1985 seems like it should be in the 19th century. It even begins with 19. Trust me though, it belongs in the 20th.

Which brings us to the great decade debate. Assuming time begin with the big bang, the first year ended exactly when the second began. The 10th ended when the 11th began in 0011. Life is weird.
 
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