Gambling 101: What is a Betting Favorite?
How do bettors read favorite lines and is it wise to load up on chalk? We are breaking down favorites today on Sports Illustrated's Gambling 101.
Unless the odds are EVEN, 2-sided sports betting options have a favorite and an underdog.
The Point spread favorite odds range from as low as 0.5 goals in soccer, hockey, and baseball, to upwards of 17 points or more in high-scoring sports like basketball and football.
Also referred to as chalk, point spread favorites always have negative odds and begin a match with a deficit. Let's break down football and basketball favorite odds first. Favorites in these sports are always posted with negative odds.
Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated
For example, Philadelphia is chalk with a minus 6.5 point spread and bettors need to wager $115 to earn a $100 profit, not bad...
The Eagles money line price is ( minus 290) so players must bet $290 to collect a $100 return, ouch...When it comes to baseball and hockey the money line and game total odds work the same.
There is however one major difference with puck line and run line favorites. In sports like the NHL and MLB, juice usually favors the chalk side when giving up pucks or runs.
Bettors receive positive juice when laying the -1.5 run line to bet on the favorite. To gain value, on high-priced money line favorites, bettors can tie two or more sides together on a parlay ticket. They can also look to alternate lines and teaser cards to reduce the spread on heavy favorites. As with all sports betting options, bettors need to perform proper research prior to betting on chalk odds. If research points to a possible blowout – jump in and place a bet on the favorite!
For more tips to make you a better tune in next time for another Gambling 101 here on SI.com
