What is the difference between over/under bets and point spread bets?

[ShockMaster]

Over/under bets, also known as totals, involve wagering on the combined score of both teams in a game, predicting whether it will be above or below a specified number set by the sportsbook. In contrast, point spread bets focus on the margin of victory in a game, where one team is given a handicap to level the playing field. Bettors choose a side to cover the spread, meaning the favored team must win by a certain number of points, while the underdog can either lose by fewer than that amount or win outright. Essentially, over/under bets center on overall scoring, while point spread bets emphasize the relative performance of teams against each other.

 

[CR7]

Over/under bets are a type of wager where the focus is on the total combined score of both teams in a game, and the bettor predicts whether the actual total will be over or under a specific number set by the sportsbook. On the other hand, point spread bets involve betting on the margin of victory in a game, where one team is handicapped to even the odds, and bettors choose a side based on whether they believe the favored team will win by more than a specified number of points or if the underdog will either win or lose by less than that margin.

In over/under bets, the final score is all that matters for the outcome of the bet, regardless of which team wins or loses, as it is a total based on the combined scores of both teams. With point spread bets, the focus is on how one team performs against the other in terms of the margin of victory, and the handicap is factored into determining the result of the bet.

Overall, over/under bets are centered around the total scoring of a game, while point spread bets revolve around the performance of the teams relative to each other and the designated handicap established by the sportsbook. Both types of bets offer different perspectives for sports bettors to engage with games and can add excitement and variety to the betting experience.