What does “lay the points” mean in sports betting?
Comprehensive guide on laying the points in sports betting and how arbitrage betting offers a risk-free alternative.
What does “lay the points” mean in sports betting?
To “lay the points” in sports betting means to bet on a favorite team or player to win by more than a specified point spread.
This form of betting balances the odds between unevenly matched competitors by handicapping the favorite with a points deficit.
While laying points involves predicting margins of victory, arbitrage betting removes the guesswork by guaranteeing profit regardless of the outcome.
Understanding Point Spreads in Sports Betting
Point spreads are used by sportsbooks to level the playing field when one team is heavily favored. The favorite is assigned a negative point value they must win by, while the underdog gets a positive point value. Betting on the favorite to ‘lay the points’ means wagering that they will win by more than the spread.
- •Point spread represents the margin the favorite must exceed
- •Laying points means betting on the favorite to win by more than that margin
- •Taking points means betting on the underdog to either win or lose by less than the spread
💡Example of Laying the Points
If Team A is favored by 7 points, laying the points means betting on Team A to win by more than 7 points. If they win by exactly 7, the bet is a push and the stake is returned.
If $100 is wagered on Team A to lay 7 points at -110 odds, a win by 8 or more points returns $190.91 (stake plus profit).
Risks and Challenges of Laying the Points
Laying the points can be challenging because it requires accurately predicting not just who will win, but by how many points. Unexpected events like injuries or game tempo can affect outcomes. This introduces risk and uncertainty, making it difficult to consistently profit.
- •Winning margin prediction is inherently uncertain
- •Close games can lead to push results or losses
- •Bookmaker odds and vigorish reduce potential profits
💡Close Game Example
If a favorite team is expected to win by 7 points but only wins by 3, a lay the points bet on -7 loses despite the favorite winning the game.
A $100 bet at -110 odds would lose the entire stake if the margin is less than 7.
How Arbitrage Betting Offers a Superior Alternative
Arbitrage betting removes the uncertainty of predicting point margins by taking advantage of differing odds across bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of the outcome. Instead of risking a loss on a single spread, arbitrage bettors place offsetting bets that cover all possibilities.
- •Eliminates the guesswork of point margins
- •Locks in profits by covering all outcomes
- •Reduces emotional and financial risk
Automation with Tools like ArbitUp
Calculating arbitrage opportunities between various bookmakers can be complex and time-consuming. Tools like ArbitUp automate these calculations, making it easier to identify and execute profitable arbitrage bets quickly.
- →Automates odds comparison across multiple sportsbooks
- →Calculates optimal stake sizes to guarantee profit
- →Saves time and reduces calculation errors
💡Arbitrage Example Simplified
If Bookmaker A offers odds on a team to lay 7 points at -110, and Bookmaker B offers better odds on the underdog to cover the spread, an arbitrage bettor can stake both sides proportionally to guarantee profit regardless of the result.
Stake amounts are calculated so total payouts equalize, ensuring a positive return.
Strategies for Successfully Laying the Points
To improve success when laying the points, bettors should research team performance against spreads, consider injury reports, and monitor line movements. However, even the best analysis cannot eliminate risk entirely, which is why arbitrage betting offers a more consistent approach.
- •Analyze historical performance against the spread
- •Monitor injury and lineup changes
- •Watch for line movement to identify value bets
💡Using Line Movement to Find Value
If the spread moves from -7 to -6.5, laying points at -6.5 may offer better value, increasing chances of winning the bet.
Smaller spreads reduce the risk of losing the bet if the favorite wins by a narrow margin.
Laying Points in Different Sports
While laying points is most common in football and basketball, similar concepts apply in other sports with handicaps. Understanding sport-specific nuances helps bettors make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls that arbitrage betting can eliminate.
- •Football and basketball use point spreads extensively
- •In tennis or soccer, handicap betting serves a similar purpose
- •Arbitrage opportunities exist across all sports with point or handicap betting
💡Handicap Betting in Soccer
A soccer team might be given a -1 goal handicap, meaning they must win by more than one goal for a lay bet to succeed.
Laying the handicap requires the favorite to win by at least 2 goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Ignoring the importance of the juice, which reduces net profits
- ⚠️Failing to consider the possibility of a push and how it affects the bet
- ⚠️Underestimating the difficulty of predicting winning margins accurately
- ⚠️Overlooking line movements that impact the value of laying points
- ⚠️Not diversifying betting strategies and relying solely on point spreads
- ⚠️Mismanaging bankroll by placing overly large bets on risky spreads
- ⚠️Neglecting to use arbitrage tools that can help minimize risk and automate calculations
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork by securing guaranteed profits regardless of the event outcome through strategic, offsetting bets.
- ✓Removes the risk associated with predicting point margins
- ✓Provides consistent, risk-free profit opportunities
- ✓Simplifies complex betting scenarios with automated tools
Get Started with ArbitUp
Ready to start earning guaranteed profits?
ArbitUp is the best and most affordable arbitrage betting tool, offering automation and real-time alerts to maximize your success.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.