A point spread is a handicap system used in sports betting, particularly in football and basketball. It is a tool used by sportsbooks to even out the betting action on both sides of a given game. If a team is expected to win by a wide margin, that team will have a larger point spread than if they are predicted to win by a close score. The +8.5 point spread is a type of handicap system used to balance out the betting action on a certain game.
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How Does +8.5 Work?
In order for a +8.5 point spread to be in effect, the team that is favored by 8.5 points must win the game by 9 points or more to cover the spread. For example, if the New England Patriots are favored to beat the Miami Dolphins by 8.5 points, the Patriots must win the game by 9 points or more for a bet on the Patriots to be considered a winner. If the Patriots only win by 8 points, the bet is considered a push, meaning that the bettor would get their money back, but not win any money.
The point spread also works in reverse, meaning that if the underdog Miami Dolphins were to win the game, or lose by 7.5 points or less, then a bet on the Dolphins would be considered a winner.
What Are the Benefits of a +8.5 Point Spread?
The +8.5 point spread is beneficial for sportsbooks because it helps to even out the action on each side of the game. If there is too much action on one side, the sportsbook can adjust the spread to balance out the action and keep the book in business.
For the bettor, the +8.5 point spread can be beneficial because it gives the underdog more of a chance to cover the spread and win the bet. The +8.5 point spread can also be beneficial for the bettor because it offers more value than a game with a smaller spread.
What Are the Drawbacks of a +8.5 Point Spread?
The +8.5 point spread can be a bit more risky for the bettor because it requires the favored team to win by a bigger margin. If the favored team does not win by 9 points or more, the bettor will lose the bet.
Another drawback to the +8.5 point spread is that it can be harder to predict the outcome of a game with such a large spread. Even if the favored team is expected to win by a wide margin, it can still be difficult to predict how much they will win by.
Conclusion
The +8.5 point spread is a type of handicap system used in sports betting, particularly in football and basketball. It helps to even out the betting action on both sides of a given game and can be beneficial for the bettor because it gives the underdog more of a chance to cover the spread and win the bet. However, it can also be more risky for the bettor because it requires the favored team to win by a bigger margin, and it can be harder to predict the outcome of a game with such a large spread.