bet365 is a renowned operator due to its sleek interface, high-functioning app, and robust betting markets. There are numerous banking methods to cater to your deposit and withdrawal needs. You’ll also find helpful promotions to provide you with more value on your wagers.
Spreads are among the most popular wager types available at bet365. They work especially well in football and basketball since both sports are more high-scoring. You’ll find competitive odds that align with the rest of the market at bet365, so you won’t have to worry about paying extra juice or getting a lower number on an underdog.
In this article, we’ll provide a thorough rundown of everything you need to know about spreads at bet365. You’ll learn about different strategies along with the process involved with placing a wager here. This will get you ready to attack spreads, especially during the NFL season.
How to Bet Spreads on bet365
To place a bet on spreads at bet365, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create an Account or Sign In
Access the bet365 landing page by clicking one of the Get Bonus-type. You can also read our bet365 hands-on review for more information. This will set you up for the best signup bonus at the site. While making your account, you’ll need to create a username and password while providing personal information like name, address, and more. Existing users can sign in.
Step 2: Deposit Funds
Fund your balance by clicking “Deposit," which is prominently displayed on the top-right. You can use several different payment options, such as Credit/Debit and PaySafe. The great part about this process is that you’ll see your deposit immediately reflected in your balance, so you’re ready to bet!
But before depositing, remember to take advantage of this bet365 promo that gives you $200 in free bets by wagering just one dollar.
Step 3: Navigate the Betting Markets
There are two ways to access the betting markets — either click “Sports" or choose from the leagues listed on the left of your screen. This will populate the day or week’s slate of games. Since spreads are among the traditional markets, you’ll find them on the main screen.
Step 4: Add to Your Bet Slip
When you’ve decided on your preferred spread, click it to put it on your bet slip. You can then type in your stake under “Set Wager." bet365 will calculate your potential return for you, which is based on the odds. You’ll be notified if there are any changes in odds as you’re placing your bet.
Step 5: Straight or Parlay?
Now is the time to determine whether you want this as a straight wager or parlay. If it’s the former, click “Place Bet." If you want to create a parlay, go back to the main screen and add another spread. You can put up to 20 legs within your parlay. Remember, you need to hit each of these picks in order to win.
What Is Spread Betting on bet365?
Each game is assigned a spread, which is the projected margin of victory.
The favorite is minus the points, meaning that they must win by more than that number for your bet to hit.
The underdog is plus the points, so they can either win the game or lose by fewer than the spread.
You’re able to choose the full game or a portion (quarter or halves).
Here’s an example:
Dallas Cowboys -4.5 (-110) at New York Giants +4.5 (-110)
- Taking the Cowboys requires them to win by five or more points.
- Going with the Giants would need them to win or lose by four or fewer.
How Do bet365 Spreads Work?
The spread is determined by a number of factors, including head-to-head matchup, home/away splits, recent performance, player injuries, weather conditions, and sharp/public money.
You may notice that the spread will move as it gets closer to game time, especially if there’s major news that could impact the result.
Football and basketball spreads can vary, while hockey and baseball have the same -1.5 number.
This is known as the puck line for hockey and run line for baseball.
There are rare exceptions in the NHL where you may see a team favored by 2.5, but it’s mostly the standard -1.5 Odds on spreads vary in hockey and baseball, but are usually -110 in football and basketball.
bet365 Spread Rules
Please keep the following rules in mind when wagering on spreads at bet365:
- If a spread is a whole number instead of a decimal, you may end up in a “push," which is a voided bet.
- This is where the final winning margin lands exactly on the spread (ex. Cowboys -3, they win 27-24). You will receive your money back in this case.
- Baseball games must go a full nine innings (8.5 if the home team is winning) for spread bets to stand.
- This means that games that finish early due to rain (i.e. six innings) will not count.
Spread vs Moneyline
Spreads involve the margin of victory, while moneylines just require you to select the winning team. For example, if I took the Broncos -3.5 and they won 27-24, I’d win my moneyline bet but lose my spread wager since they won by fewer than four points.
Moneyline wagers have more risk on favorites and more reward on underdogs, while spreads have odds that are mostly -110 on both sides. The higher the spread on a game, the more expensive the moneyline is on the favored team.
Here’s an example of spread vs moneyline:
Los Angeles Lakers +6.5 (-110) at Phoenix Suns -6.5 (-110)
- I’d risk $110 to win $100 on the Lakers +6.5 at -110 odds.
Lakers +300 at Suns -350
- Betting on the Suns to win by any margin would risk $350 to win $100.
Underdog vs Favorite
Each game has an underdog and favorite. The underdog is plus the points. and the favorite is minus. This means that the former can win the game or lose by fewer than the spread, while the latter has to win by more than the spread.
Here’s an example to clarify:
Philadelphia Eagles -6.5 (-110) vs Washington Commanders +6.5 (-110)
- We can identify the Eagles as the favorites (minus sign) and the Commanders as the underdogs (plus sign).
- Both sides usually have the same odds in spreads (-110/-110), but we could see -115/-105 or -120/+100 at times.
In this case, taking the Eagles means that I need them to win by seven or more.
What Is an Alternate Spread on bet365?
An alternate spread is when you choose a different number than the assigned one. You can increase or decrease the spread, depending on if your goal is to get a more favorable number or to a higher potential payout.
Here’s an example:
Buffalo Bills -2.5 (-110) at Los Angeles Rams +2.5 (-110)
- If I want a more favorable number, I can bring the Rams up to +3.5 at -163 odds.
- If I’m searching for a better payout, I may go with the Rams -2.5 at +135 odds.
bet365 allows you to move the spread as high as 20 points. I can take the Bills -22.5 (+900) if I wanted to shoot for the moon. To find this market on the site, click the game that you want and go to “Same Game Parlay." bet365 will allow you to make a straight bet or create a parlay.
bet365 NFL Point Spreads
There are a number of NFL point spreads to choose from at bet365, such as:
- Full game
- 1st/2nd/3rd/4th quarter
- 1st/2nd half
- Alternate spread
- Live Spread
My advice would be to focus on the full game because it’s easier to project. You can also include an alternate spread if you feel confident about a team winning by more than the number or if you believe that an underdog has a good chance of winning outright. Don’t pay a heavy juice with alternate spreads.
You may also be able to find value on live spreads, where odds are updated as the game goes on, depending on what has happened.
For example, if the Chiefs are -7 and they’re trailing 17-7 at the half, you may be able to get them at a more favorable number, like -3.5.
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the one event where I would include 1st/2nd half or 1st/2nd/3rd/4th quarter wagers.
This is because it’s the only game on the slate and it’s been so heavily scrutinized that you feel that you have a better read.
If you believe the game will be a blowout, taking a team to win on the 1st quarter or 1st half spread is a good idea.
Of course, you’re still sticking with the full game and perhaps mixing in a live wager as well.
Spread Bet Strategies
Here are some strategies to incorporate into your spread betting:
- Don’t be afraid to lay a lot of points — the spread is likely that high for a good reason.
- Remember key numbers in the NFL, where most games end in multiples of 3, 4, 7, and 10.
- Think about a team’s recent performance.
- Consider their strength/weaknesses and how they match up to their opponent.
- Monitor live movement to see how the market is reacting.
- Look at home/away splits to see if there are any disparities.
- Check a team’s record against the spread to if they’ve been mispriced by the market.
Spread Betting for Beginners
Beginners to spread betting should consider the following tips:
- Never risk too much of your bankroll on one bet.
- Make straight bets your point of emphasis because they’re easier to win.
- Keep a win-loss record to see how you’re doing.
- Look at other sportsbooks to find the best spread.
- Mix in parlays here and there for higher payouts, but not too often.
How to Calculate Spread Odds
You’ll notice that spread odds are shown in American format, which are positive or negative numbers related to 100.
Here are a few examples to help you calculate the odds:
Example 1: risk $100 on Giants +6 at -110 odds
- Divide 110 / 100 = 1.1
- Divide 100 / 1.1 = $90.90
- You win $90.90 on a $100 bet
Example 2: to win $100 on Chargers -7 at -105 odds
- Divide 105 / 100 = 1.05
- Multiply 1.05 x 100 = $105
- Risk $105 to win $100
Example 3: stake $100 on Yankees -1.5 at +120 odds
- Divide 120 / 100 = 1.2
- Multiply 1.2 x 100 = $120
- Risk $100 to win $120
Why Are Spreads a Good Bet?
Spreads can be a good bet for these reasons:
- You can avoid paying heavy juice on large favorites by taking them on the spread.
- It gives you a chance to win on your underdog if they lose but cover the number.
- They’re easy to understand once you know the difference between favorites and underdogs.
- The odds are generally pretty similar, ranging from +100 to -120.
- The market may misprice certain teams, giving you good value on their spread.
Can Spreads Be a Bad Bet?
You may also notice some downsides to spread betting:
- You can deal with bad beats if your team wins but doesn’t cover.
- Teams with large leads may bench their players — they don’t care about covering the spread.
- You won’t get a high payout on spread bets (unless you take alternate numbers).
- It can be difficult to predict the winning margin of a game.
- You may handicap a game correctly, only to lose because of unpredictable plays like turnovers.
What Sports Are Available for Spreads?
The following sports are available for spread betting:
- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- NHL
- NCAAB
- NCAAF
- Soccer
- Tennis
Is There Bet Insurance on Spreads?
You may notice a sportsbook offering Bet Insurance as a welcome bonus for new players. This is where your first bet is refunded if it loses. It’s capped at a certain number, usually ranging from $500 to $1,500.
You’re able to include spreads in this type of wager.