Betting Systems - Betting With Points

In sports betting, one can elect to bet with the points or to lay the points. When one bets with the points, one is betting that the underdog can win the game and / or lose the game by no more than the number of points designated by the oddsmakers’ line. As this article will show, the author has devised a plan in dealing with betting with the points.

A sharp once told the author that betting on a team to simply ‘cover’ a game as an underdog with the points is a bad bet. One has to be sure that an underdog can and will win a game in order for an underdog bet to be strong. In other words, one should only bet the underdog with the points, if one feels strongly that such an underdog will win the game straight up. It is rather difficult to back a team simply thinking that they will cover a spread. In most cases, in fact, the favorite often times wins and covers games. It is in rare circumstances that the favorite wins the game straight up, but does not cover the game—such games are interesting and are usually those that are featured on national television.

The author has likewise followed suit and only played underdogs, taking the points, when the author has felt that the points would add value to the play. Taking the points is like insurance if such a team happens to lose the game in the last few moments of the matchup. Underdogs are inherent good bets anyways, since most people love playing favorites, but taking the points at the right conditions and situations will prove profitable in the future.

As stated earlier, the novice sports bettor should be aware of the fact that oddsmakers often shade the line against the favorite in nationally televised games. Therefore, backing the underdog in such matchups is very profitable. A flashy, high-octane offensive team like the Phoenix Suns is a great example (although the Suns are typically a good ATS—against the spread—team, due to their style of play and its complement to the new NBA rules).
In closing, only bet the points if one is sure that the underdog has a good chance of winning the game straight up.