How to read Las Vegas bets and Spreads?

Question

If I am looking at a spread of 124 with a -14, for instance in the NCAA bracket, Coppin State is 124 and St. Mary's is -14, who is the favorite and what does the minus represent? I am trying to fill out a bracket for my Husband's pool at work, but I don't want to come off as a "Girl". I used vegas last year and did respectably, I just can't remember how to read the spreads.

Answer 1

I think you've got things a little mixed up there, but don't worry, it's easy to be confused.  The "124" number you are referring to is the Over/Under, which is a number where you bet whether the total score of the game will be over or under.  In this case, if you think the score will be something like Coppin State 62-Saint Mary's 70, the total score would be 132, which would be "over."  This may seem a little confusing because that number might be on the same row as Coppin State, but a different column.  

The -14 number refers to the pointspread favorite.  That is, the negative number means the favorite would have to win by more than 14 points to win.  If not, then the underdog would win against the spread.  Coppin State's line would in turn be +14, meaning they can lose by no more than 13 to be a pointspread winner.  If they lose by 14, then the result would be a "push" or a tie, meaning the bettor would win their money back.  If you see a line with a 1/2 attached to it means that there can be no push, or tie.  So if the line was St. Mary's -14.5, they would have to win by 15 to win the bet, and there can be no push.  

It sounds like you already know the basics, and just forgot how to read them.  Hope this helps!

Answer 2

In general, "-" means "favorite", and "+" means "underdog"

Here, you probably saw:

Coppin State 124

St. Mary's -14

The 124 is the over/under.

Since there's no "+" it's not a favorite.

To win the over/under, you need to pick one.

The bet is based on the total points scored in the game.  So if the final is 80-70, the "over" wins, because 150 > 124.

The -14 means that to win the bet, St. Mary's must win by more than 14 points.  

If they win by exactly 14, your bet is a push (tie - you go get your money back, but no winnings)

If they win by less than 14, or lose the game outright, you lose the bet.

Or, if you bet on Coppin State, you win if Coppin wins the game, OR if they lose by less than 14 points.

Answer 3

The other two answers make great points, but here is a link to a free basketball betting tutorial http://GamblingReviewsSite.com/nba_guide

Answer 4

St. Mary's is the favorite, and they must win by 14 points to "beat the spread". The -14 simply means that you subtract 14 points from their final score. Conversely, the underdog will be +14, so you would add 14 to their final score if you placed that bet. But you don't do both, just one or the other -- depending on whether you bet on the favorite or the underdog.

The 124 is probably the over/under. You would add the scores of the two teams to get the total, and it may be over or under 124. There is also a chance that it would be exactly 124, in which case you would have a "push" and get your bet back.