What constitutes a bad beat on point spread, moneyline and game total wagering options?

We are taking a look at some examples today on Sports Illustrated's Gambling 101.

You think you're going to hit your bet- the game is going exactly how you imagined and then.... at the last second you lose it- this my friends is a bad beat.

Football bettors know bad beats are bound to happen- NFL 2019 Week 15 action, offers a classic example.

The Redskins were +6.5 point underdogs and were leading 27-24 with less than one minute to play. The Eagles scored a touchdown, to take a 31-27 lead with 26 seconds left on the clock, but Washington bettors were still ahead with the spread. Then on the final play of the game the QB fumbled a lateral attempt and Nigel Bradham scored a 48- yard fumble return touchdown. The Eagles won the game 37-27.

Since the final two scores were posted with so little time left on the clock, there wasn’t anything Washington bettors could do to protect against this point spread bad beat.

It doesn't just happen in NFL match-ups, it can happen in  a buzzer beating three-point shot in basketball, or an empty net goal in hockey, to a last inning rally in baseball, bad beats just happen. 

Since they usually occur late in a match – there isn’t much bettors can do to avoid a bad beat.

There is one trick tough, bettors who watch point spread tickets take a hit are wise to hedge their bets prior to the game ending or heading into overtime. LIVE hedge betting can help soften the blow of a bad beat.

Just remember friends it's gambling- sometimes you win sometimes you lose and sometimes it's a really bad beat.

Sports Illustrated is here to help so make sure you bookmark the glossary of terms and tune in for another Gambling 101 here on SI.com.