Betting on Pro Football

[Nija]

So, we do a little Football pool here at work, and I'd really like to win. (who wouldn't) I found a place (http://www.betonsports.com/lines.shtml#) that will give me some information on who I should pick. I checked on the 'betting line' and I open it up, and I can't figure out how to read it :(
If someone could help me out it would be much appreciated.

-gambler anonymous :)

[Nija]

So What I'm getting from this is that in the below mentioned scenario is that San Francisco is supposed to win by 7 points. am I right?



TEAM MONEY LINES SPREAD TOTAL

SEATTLE +240 40
SAN FRANCISCO -290 -6½

Straight Wagering
When wagering on SAN FRANCISCO you must win by at least 7 points to win the bet. When wagering on SEATTLE you cannot lose by more than 6 points to win the bet. On the other hand if the line was a solid -6 and SAN FRANCISCO wins by exactly 6 points then the bet is a "push", and stake or money is returned to your account.

Total (over/under)
Wagering on the total points combined on the game: To win on the "over", the total score for each team will be added together and it must exceed 40 points. When betting the "under", the total score for each team is added together and cannot exceed 39 points to win the wager, if the total score add up to exactly 40 points, the bet is called a "push" and the money is credited to your account.

Money Line Wagering
When wagering on the money line, you must win the game on the field in order to win your bet. Wagering on SAN FRANCISCO $-290, the point spread does not matter. You must risk $290 to win $100. Wagering on SEATTLE $+240, you stake $100 to win $240.

[ray]

Over/Under: The number of total points scored in the game.

For example, St. Louis at NY Giants. Over/Under 47.5.

If you bet that the total number of points is higher than 47.5 you win. Same goes vice versa.

Spread: Difference in the final score.

For example, St. Louis at NY Giants. St. Louis is the underdog and spread is 7.5.

In this instance, if you bet on St. Louis you will add 7.5 points to their score in the end. So, if the final score is St. Louis 13, Giants 20, you would add 7.5 to the 13...and you would win the bet.

If you put money on the Giants, you would subtract 7.5 points from their total score. Thus, St. Louis 13, Giants 12.5. You would thus lose this bet.

Lastly, there is the money line. Occasionally you may see -120 or +115 next to the over/under or the spread.

For example, you bet $10 on the Giants to beat St. Louis with -120 next to the line. This means that your payout will be $10 x (100/120) = $8.33

On the flipside, if you bet $10 on the Giants to beat St. Louis with +115 next to the line, your payout if you win will be $10 x (115/100) = $11.50

[Nija]

Originally posted by lilbigblue
Over/Under: The number of total points scored in the game.

For example, St. Louis at NY Giants. Over/Under 47.5.

If you bet that the total number of points is higher than 47.5 you win. Same goes vice versa.

Spread: Difference in the final score.

For example, St. Louis at NY Giants. St. Louis is the underdog and spread is 7.5.

In this instance, if you bet on St. Louis you will add 7.5 points to their score in the end. So, if the final score is St. Louis 13, Giants 20, you would add 7.5 to the 13...and you would win the bet.

If you put money on the Giants, you would subtract 7.5 points from their total score. Thus, St. Louis 13, Giants 12.5. You would thus lose this bet.

Lastly, there is the money line. Occasionally you may see -120 or +115 next to the over/under or the spread.

For example, you bet $10 on the Giants to beat St. Louis with -120 next to the line. This means that your payout will be $10 x (100/120) = $8.33

On the flipside, if you bet $10 on the Giants to beat St. Louis with +115 next to the line, your payout if you win will be $10 x (115/100) = $11.50

whoa thanks...

it sounds like in the examples you used, that the Giants would be favored to win.

(can ya tell i'm basic :P )

[ray]

I just used that example because the Giants thoroughly manhandled the Rams...and if i'm not mistaken, the Giants were actually the underdogs. Maybe slaus would remember better. :)

[Nija]

I was just going to the made up numbers you presented. Hence, going by those numbers, it would seem as though the Giants were favored to win.

We don't need to be actual until I actually win something :P