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Betting Guide
The point spreads in NFL games are set by a complex set of data that is weighted with the general idea to draw the most interest possible to both sides of the bet. It’s really amazing how they do it and how often the result itself is close to the total.
What if you just don’t agree with it though? What if the Patriots are playing the Jets and you think -10 isn’t enough? You think this game should be -20? Enter Alternative Point Spreads and if you are right about your hunch, this can pay very well for you.
This article will be all about NFL Alternative Point Spreads. How they work, how to find them and where to bet them. These can be a valuable tool in your betting toolbox so learning where to do them is key.
Where To Bet NFL Alternative Point Spreads:
America: One of the best places for betting football is Bovada and they have you covered with alternative point spreads.
Canada: You can typically find alternative spreads at Sports Interaction, the top sportsbook for Canadians.
Everywhere Else: Bet365 Sportsbook lists these right under their “American Football” section under NFL.
What are NFL Alternative Point Spreads?
A typical point spread on an NFL game will be set with a -110 moneyline to it. This is because it’s designed to get equal action on both sides so a person betting Seattle -7 bets $110 to win $100 and the person betting Atlanta +7 bets $110 to win $100 with that extra going to the sportsbook.
An alternative spread doesn’t work like this though. An alternative spread might see that same game with the Seahawks at -14 (+300) meaning that you get paid $300 on a $100 bet. You could also see the same thing on the other side with the Falcons getting 14 points at -350.
There are a number of different variations of these with that just being one example. You could see Atlanta +7, +14 or even -7 with each one having unique odds attached that pay (or cost) more than a typical bet would.
Many sportsbooks these days will offer an incredible variety of point spreads where you can go from +7 to +7.5 to +8 all the way up to +14 or +15 depending on whether their limits are in terms of odds.
Common NFL Alternative Point Spread Questions:
I’ll speak from personal experience here and take you back to Super Bowl 48 when the Seahawks played the Broncos. I really believed in the Seahawks in this one and took an alternative line of -14.5 at +650.
The final score of that game? 48-3, Seahawks. That was the highest offered and I wish there had been a -20 line that I could’ve bet on as well.
When should I bet alternative point spreads?
There’s a lot of options when it comes to betting on an alternative point spreads. I generally like to look at it when odds are shorter than a touchdown.
So if the Vikings are -4.5 against someone, I analyze that game and see if I believe the Vikings are going to win by at least a touchdown to where it makes sense to bet the alternative point spread total in that one. If I believe it is the case I will do Vikings -6.5 in that one getting better odds with my belief it has more value than betting the Vikings at -4.5.
Games with a high point spread where a blowout is expected can be good too. The Patriots don’t really care what the betting line is – they just want to smash their opponents. So if the line is -14.5 and you think the Patriots are going to smash them, then you can bump up that point spread line to -17.5 or -18.5 or whatever you want.
How do alternative NFL point spreads work?
Exactly the same as a regular point spread.
So if the Patriots are -4.5 against the Steelers on the regular point spread and you bet them that means you are taking 4.5 points away from the Patriots final score. So if the Patriots win 30-26, you would lose your bet because after taking away 4.5 points the Patriots have 25.5 points which is less than the Steelers score of 26.
Alternative point spreads work the exact same way. If the Patriots are -4.5 and you bet Patriots -6.5, you would need the Patriots to win by at least 7 points for you to win that bet.
How To Bet NFL Alternative Spreads:
American Football games are always easy to find on a sportsbook. At Sports Interaction and Bet365 Sportsbook, it will be linked right on the left sidebar.
At Sports Interaction just click the “+” with a number by it to see the game props and scroll down until you see “Alternate Spread”. While at Bet365 Sportsbook it is listed right on the main NFL page under “Main Props”.
For Bovada just click the “Football” button up top, find the NFL game you are looking for and click the “>” with a number by it.
NFL Alternative Spread Betting Strategy:
With this type of bet I am looking to do one of two things: buy down a number that I think is too big or go big on a game that I think will be a blowout.
In the first scenario, I am looking for the football prime numbers that are 3, 7 and 10. These are common scores and ones that can really screw you in point spreads. I’m looking to take a -3.5 and buy it down to -2.5.
The second one is the much more fun one and that is simply match-up based. Give me a team with a great offense or defense and another team that is having struggles or suffering through injuries. I’ll go big if the price is right.
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