When you’re new to sports betting, the jargon can get confusing. One term you might hear a lot is “laying points.” But what do laying points mean, and how does it affect your bets? Let’s break it down in plain English.

What Does Laying Points Mean?

“Laying points” happens when you bet on the favorite in a game, and you agree to give up a certain number of points as part of your bet. These points are the spread, which is set by the sportsbook to level the playing field between the favorite and the underdog.

For example, let’s say the New England Patriots are playing the New York Jets, and the Patriots are favored to win. The sportsbook might set the point spread at -7 for the Patriots. If you decide to bet on the Patriots, you’re “laying” 7 points.

This means that for you to win your bet, the Patriots have to not just win the game, but win by more than 7 points. If they win by exactly 7 points, your bet is a push, and you get your money back. But if they win by less than 7 points, or if they lose, you lose the bet.

Why Laying Points Matters

Laying points is important because it changes the way you approach betting on the favorite. It’s not enough to simply pick the team you think will win. You also have to consider whether they’ll win by a large enough margin to cover the spread.

This makes betting on the favorite riskier than it might seem at first glance. You’re not just betting on the better team; you’re betting on how much better they’ll be on that particular day. The spread is designed to make both sides of the bet equally attractive, so you have to weigh the risk and reward carefully.

Laying Points vs. Taking Points

On the flip side of laying points is “taking points.” This is when you bet on the underdog, and instead of giving up points, you’re getting them. Using the same example, if you bet on the Jets at +7, you win the bet if the Jets either win the game or lose by fewer than 7 points. Even if the Jets lose by exactly 7 points, you get your money back because it’s a push.

Taking points can sometimes feel safer because the underdog doesn’t have to win outright for you to win your bet. They just need to keep the game close. But of course, the underdog is the underdog for a reason, so there’s always a risk they might not perform well.

How Spreads Are Set

You might be wondering, how does the sportsbook decide on the spread? Oddsmakers set the point spread based on a variety of factors, including the teams’ recent performances, injuries, weather conditions, and even where the game is being played. They aim to set a spread that will attract an equal amount of betting on both sides, so they can limit their risk.

If more people are betting on one side, the sportsbook might adjust the spread to balance the action. For example, if a lot of money is coming in on the Patriots at -7, the sportsbook might move the line to -7.5 to encourage more people to bet on the Jets.

Strategies for Laying Points

If you’re considering laying points, there are a few strategies you might want to keep in mind. First, look at the teams’ recent performances. Are they blowing out their opponents, or are they just scraping by? A team that’s consistently winning by big margins might be a good candidate for laying points.

Second, consider the matchup. Does the favorite’s strength align well with the underdog’s weaknesses? For example, if a strong passing team is facing a defense that struggles against the pass, they might have a good chance of covering the spread.

Finally, keep an eye on injuries and weather. A key injury or bad weather could make it harder for the favorite to cover the spread, so be sure to check the latest news before placing your bet.

Real-World Example: Laying Points in Action

Let’s go through a real-world example. Imagine the Kansas City Chiefs are playing the Denver Broncos, and the Chiefs are favored by -10 points. If you lay the points and bet on the Chiefs, they need to win by more than 10 points for you to win your bet.

If the final score is Chiefs 30, Broncos 20, you win because the Chiefs covered the spread by exactly 10 points. But if the final score is Chiefs 28, Broncos 21, you lose because the Chiefs only won by 7 points, which isn’t enough to cover the spread.

Wrapping It Up: Why Understanding Laying Points Is Important

In sports betting, laying points is a key concept that affects how you place your bets on favorites. It’s not just about picking the team you think will win—it’s about predicting by how much they’ll win. This adds an extra layer of strategy to your betting, making it more challenging but also more rewarding when you get it right.

Whether you’re laying points or taking them, understanding the point spread and how it works can help you make smarter bets. Always consider the spread as part of your overall strategy, and don’t be afraid to pass on a bet if the spread doesn’t feel right to you.

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