Trevor Jones is an expert in iGaming with a passion for writing US sports, such as football and basketball, in particular. He is extremely knowledgeable about US gambling regulations and has previously contributed articles to Augusta Free Press, Tech Report, Basketball Insiders and Legal Sportsbooks. He is an avid sports and betting enthusiast and a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors, though follows all of the major sports leagues.
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All posts by Andrew MorganAlternate spread is a term that refers to the different options you have when placing spread bets. Sportsbooks typically choose one spread bet line to advertise next to a match. You can find other options when you explore deeper markets. These are alternative spread betting markets.
All you have to do is click on a particular match to see more markets. Alternate spreads can be a great way to find longer odds, or you can use them to have more assurance your bet will come in.
What Does Alternate Spread Mean?
Most sportsbooks offer three specific markets for a match – spread, moneyline, and totals.
The spread is indicated by a negative number next to the favorite. The same number is stated as a positive value next to the less favored team. These indicate the handicap or advantage they are given in the bet. An example is an underdog being given +4.5 points and the favorite being penalized the same amount (-4.5 points).
Typically, sports betting sites use lines that mean each bet has odds as close to +100 as possible. The larger the perceived gap between the two teams’ quality, the bigger the line marker number.
However, sportsbooks offer alternate lines. You can explore spread bets with different line markers by clicking on a match to see further markets. Among the props bets, there will be alternate spread or alternate handicap bets. There will be more spread betting options with different handicaps and advantages for both teams.
What is an Alternate Spread and How Does it Work – Examples
The main spread choices are listed alongside the list of upcoming NBA games in the basketball area of the page. This is highlighted in the following picture.
This example also highlights how different line markers can highlight the perceived difference in the quality of the teams. The Philadelphia 76ers are seen as vastly superior to the Charlotte Hornets. This is shown by the -11 handicap given to the 76ers. Meanwhile, the Warriors and the Raptors are more closely matched, which the 3.5 spread line marker indicates.
Say you back the Golden State Warriors -3.5 at odds of -105. For that bet to come in, the Warriors have to win the game by at least four points. A final score of Warriors 100-94 Raptors gives you a winning bet, because the margin clears that four-point mark. This is known as covering the spread. Should the game end Warriors 100-97 Raptors, your bet loses even though the Warriors won the game. A Warriors defeat by any margin also leaves you with a losing bet. When the bet is successful, a $100 wager returns $195.24 in total, which works out to $95.24 in profit.
Alternate spread markets are the markets that do not use the marker initially set by the sportsbook. They are also known as alternative handicap betting options. They are particularly popular in basketball and football betting.
Perhaps you think the gap in quality between the Warriors and the Raptors is more significant than the line suggests. In that case, you could take a larger handicap than -3.5 on the Warriors in exchange for better odds. Backing the Warriors at -7.5 moves the odds from -105 up to +165. With that line, you win the bet if this NBA game finishes Warriors 100-91 Raptors. The Warriors 100-94 Raptors result from the example above, which won you the earlier bet, would now leave you with a losing bet. That happens because the winning margin falls below 7.5. A Warriors defeat also means the bet loses. Should your bet succeed, a $100 stake returns $265 in total, giving you $165 in profit.
Advantages of Alternate Spread Betting
Alternate spreads give players more flexibility when spread betting. They also facilitate different betting styles.
It is in the best interest of the sportsbook for you to lose, so they will choose spread line markers that are favorable to them. Exploring alternative point spread bets allows you to take more control.
You might use an alternate spread bet to remove the chance of a void bet. If the sportsbook suggests a whole number margin, you could use alternate line betting to choose a .5-line marker. This removes ambiguity and the chance of a void or pushed bet. The practice is known as buying the hook.
If you think the sportsbook has misjudged the likely winner and loser, you can find alternate lines to benefit from the mistake. The odds, along with your potential payout, will be significantly longer if you bet on the less favored team with a higher handicap applied.
You could also use alternate spread bets to move the betting odds in the other direction. Either way, you have the power to manage the risk of your bets by betting on alternate lines and different point spreads.
Why Bookmakers Offer Alternate Spread Betting
There are alternate spread bets with shorter odds than those on the main page. These markets will naturally have smaller payouts, so this is one reason why local and offshore sportsbooks might allow you to bet alternate lines.
The odds will shorten when players opt to buy the hook by shifting a whole line marker by -0.5. Therefore, players will need to stake more to win the same amount. People who are looking to avoid the chance of a void or pushed bet might be willing to take the hit. If they lose, the sportsbook stands to gain more from this change in the point spreads.
How to Place Alternate Spread Bets Online
Follow these simple steps to place a spread bet using an alternate line.
1. Choose a Sportsbook
You can use the recommendations on Basketball Insiders to find a quality sportsbook. Go to their homepage by clicking on the relevant link.
2. Register
Click the “Join Now” button in the top right-hand corner. Other sportsbooks might prefer a different term. Complete the registration form you are directed to and confirm your details.
3. Deposit
Go to the site’s cashier area and select the deposit option. Pick your preferred payment method and type in how much you want to add to your account. Be sure the amount covers whatever sports betting bonuses you’re hoping to claim. If a bonus code is needed, enter it in the appropriate field.
4. Find Alternate Spread Lines
Find the list of sports in the sportsbook and choose a sport. This example uses basketball. Choose a competition and click the match you’d like to bet on to see further markets. Find the alternate spread or alternate handicap selection. Click the odds of the alternate spread bet you want to add to your betting slip.
5. Place bet
Enter the stake you’d like to bet and click to confirm.
How to Bet with an Alternate Spread Offline
- Go to the window of your retail sportsbook.
- Tell them you’d like to place an alternative line spread bet. State the match you’d like to place your bet on.
- If you know which spread markets are available, you can tell the cashier or ask them to show you the list.
- Tell them the amount you would like to stake.
- Find out the possible payout and proceed if satisfied.
- Hand over your money and take your betting slip. You will return with the slip to claim your winnings if you are successful.
Where Can You Bet Alternate Spreads?
You can find alternative spread betting options at any sportsbook worth using.
For the most part, these are offered on the bigger betting markets, especially within the US. Alternate spreads are available for games in the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS. Nearly every matchup comes with at least one alternate line.
Some of the less popular sports may not have alternative spread markets though.
Many state-licensed online sports betting sites offer alternatives to their spread betting markets.
Conclusion
Alternate spread bets are spread bets that you make using a line marker different from the one suggested by the sportsbook. They are a great way to manage the risk of your bet or bet against the grain for larger odds.
There is a practice of using alternate spread betting to avoid push bet results. This is known as buying the hook. You often find alternative spread markets on major US sports.
Alternate Spread Betting FAQs
What is alternate spread in betting?
How do alternate spreads work?
Which sports can you bet on using an alternate spread?
What is the difference between regular spread betting and alternate spread betting?
What does alternate spread mean in football?
Before you put any of this into practice with real money, make sure the sportsbook is licensed in your state. Sports betting is only legal in states that have regulated it, and each one keeps a public list of approved operators, for example the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the New York State Gaming Commission. You must be 21 or older in most states. If betting stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for free, confidential help.
