As an avid sports bettor and data analyst, I understand the confusion around the +7.5 alternate point spread. It may seem complicated at first, but it simply refers to the number of points an underdog team is getting against the standard spread set by oddsmakers. Let‘s break down alternate spreads and what that +7.5 means in betting terminology.
A Beginner‘s Guide to Point Spreads
Before diving into alternate spreads, it‘s important to understand how standard point spreads work. This will provide the foundation to grasp the meaning of +7.5 and other alternate line concepts.
The Basics of Standard Point Spreads
A point spread represents the projected margin of victory between two teams. The favored team is given a negative spread while the underdog gets a positive spread.
Here‘s an example:
- New England Patriots -7
- Buffalo Bills +7
This point spread suggests the Patriots are expected to beat the Bills by 7 points. For a bet on the Patriots to cash, they would need to win by more than 7 points to "cover the spread." Meanwhile, a bet on the Bills covers if they lose by fewer than 7 points or somehow win the game outright.
The spread is set by oddsmakers to attract equal betting action on both sides. This allows sportsbooks to mitigate risk and generate profit through the house vig.
Why Betting the Spread is Popular
Wagering against the point spread is extremely popular because it essentially creates a handicap to make both teams equally appealing to bet on. Bettors can back the underdog to cover the large spread and get lucrative payouts. Or they can lay the big number with the favorite for a higher probability of cashing a smaller ticket.
Point spread betting accounts for nearly half of all bets and gives you many more games to wager on. Every matchup has a spread, rather than just picking a straight-up winner.
Covering the Spread
To "cover the spread" means the team beat the number set by oddsmakers. Here‘s how it works:
- If you bet on the Patriots -7, they must win by >7 points to cover
- If you bet on the Bills +7, they must lose by <7 points or win outright to cover
If the margin lands exactly on 7, it‘s a push and original bets are returned. Now let‘s get into alternate spreads and the meaning of +7.5.
Understanding Alternate Point Spreads
In addition to the standard spread, sportsbooks offer adjusted lines referred to as alternate point spreads. Here are the key aspects of betting alternate spreads:
What Are Alternate Spreads?
- Additional spreads offered besides the primary spread
- Gives bettors more wagering options and flexibility
- Adjusts the margin of victory by increasing or decreasing the spread
For example:
- Primary spread: Patriots -7
- Alternate spreads: Patriots -3.5, -10, -14
Why Sportsbooks Offer Alternate Lines
Sportsbooks create extra spreads to accommodate bettor preferences and maximize wagering volume. Reasons include:
- Bettors find the standard line unattractive
- Provides opportunity to middle the spread
- Allows betting on more outcomes
- Offers better payout for greater risk
How Alternate Spreads Work
- Same principle as standard spread betting
- Underdog must lose by less than alt spread or win outright
- Favorite must exceed alt spread margin to cover
So if the Patriots are -14, they must win by >14 to cover. If you take the Bills +14, they must lose by <14 or win the game.
Reduced Payouts on Alternate Lines
- Lower odds than standard spread since higher probability
- Must risk more to win the same amount
For example, Patriots -3.5 may pay -110 odds rather than -7 at -105.
Now that you understand the basics, let‘s get back to deciphering the +7.5 alternate spread.
What Does +7.5 Mean in an Alternate Spread?
When you see +7.5 in an alternate point spread, it means:
- The underdog team is getting 7.5 points against the standard spread
- This is the handicap margin set by oddsmakers
- The dog must lose by less than 7.5 points or win outright to cover
For example:
- Primary spread: Patriots -10
- Alternate spread: Bills +7.5
The Bills normally are +10 point underdogs. But the alternate line of +7.5 only gives them 7.5 points instead of the full 10.
Why Bet an Alternate Underdog Spread?
There are strategic reasons to take an alternate underdog spread like +7.5:
- You think the favorite will win but not cover the primary spread
- The alternate spread offers a more attractive payout
- You want to reduce the risk of the dog losing by more than 10 points
How to Bet and Win an Alternate +7.5 Spread
To cash a bet on the alternate +7.5 spread:
- The underdog must lose by exactly 7 points or fewer
- Winning the game outright also covers the spread
- Losing by 8+ points means the favorite covers
So if you bet Bills +7.5, you win if they lose by ≤ 7 points or win. But if the Pats win by 8+ points, you lose the bet.
Hopefully this gives you a solid grasp on what the +7.5 means when betting an alternate NFL point spread. Now let‘s look at some examples.
Alternate Spread Examples
Here are a few examples using real NFL odds to demonstrate how alternate spread betting works.
2022 Super Bowl Odds
| Team | Primary Spread | Alternate Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | -1.5 | -3.5 |
| Eagles | +1.5 | +3.5 |
The Chiefs are slight 1.5 point favorites on the main spread. But the alternate spread of -3.5 forces them to win by 4+ points. The alternate spread of +3.5 is more attractive for Eagles backers, requiring Philly to lose by no more than a field goal.
2022 Cowboys vs. Commanders Odds
| Team | Primary Spread | Alternate Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | -6.5 | -10.5 |
| Commanders | +6.5 | +10.5 |
Dallas is -6.5 chalk on the main spread. But the alternate spread of -10.5 forces the Cowboys to win by 11+ points. If you like Washington, the +10.5 alternate is more attractive since it only requires them to lose by 10 points or fewer.
2022 Packers vs. Bears Odds
| Team | Primary Spread | Alternate Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Packers | -7 | -10.5 |
| Bears | +7 | +10.5 |
The Packers are -7 chalk against their divisional rivals. But the +10.5 alternate spread makes Chicago +10.5 underdogs, meaning they only need to lose by 10 points or fewer to cover.
As you can see from these examples, the alternate spread gives you added flexibility by moving the line up or down. Understanding what the +7.5 means allows you to make strategic wagers based on how you expect the game to play out.
Final Thoughts on Alternate Point Spreads
While it may seem complex at first glance, the +7.5 simply means the underdog is getting 7.5 points against the standard spread. Sportsbooks offer alternate spreads to cater to bettors by providing added options.
The basics are simple:
- The underdog must lose by less than the alt spread or win outright to cover
- The favorite must exceed the alt spread margin to cover
Don‘t be afraid to utilize alternate spreads to gain an edge. Just be sure to shop for the best alt lines and payouts across multiple sportsbooks.
I hope this comprehensive beginner‘s guide to alternate point spreads gives you the confidence to start betting and winning using this strategy. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help break down complex sports betting concepts.
