What is a Side Bet? Side Betting Explained
Side betting is all about placing a bet on one team or player to win a game or match. It’s one of the most common and straightforward ways to bet on sports. You’re simply choosing the “side” you think will win whether it’s a particular team in a game or a specific player in an individual sport. Side betting can be done through the moneyline, point spread, or even a mix of both, depending on the sport and how you like to bet.
While side betting sounds pretty easy, it can get more complicated once you factor in odds, point spreads, and different betting formats. So, let’s break down how side betting works and how it fits into the bigger picture of sports betting.
How Does Side Betting Work?
At its core, a side bet is simply a bet on who you think will win a specific event, whether it’s a team or a player. Depending on the sport, you’ll have a few different options for side betting, such as the moneyline or point spread. Here’s a quick breakdown of both:
- Moneyline Betting: This is the most basic type of side betting. You’re betting on a team or player to win the game outright no point spread, just win and you win.
- Point Spread Betting: In point spread betting, oddsmakers create a spread to balance out the skill levels of the two teams. The favorite has to win by more than the spread, while the underdog can either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread to win the bet.
How Point Spreads Work in Side Bets
Point spread bets are super common in sports like football and basketball. The spread gives one team an advantage and places an extra challenge on the other. Here’s an example from the NBA:
- Philadelphia 76ers +7.5 (-110) vs. Boston Celtics -7.5 (-110)
In this case:
- The Celtics are the favorite and must win by 8 or more points for you to win a bet on them.
- The 76ers are the underdog, and they can either win the game or lose by 7 points or fewer for your bet to cash.
The -110 next to each team shows the odds, which means you need to bet $110 to win $100. If you bet on the Celtics and they win by at least 8 points, you’re in the money. But if they win by less or lose outright, your bet on the Celtics is a loss, and those who bet on the 76ers win.
Moneyline Side Bets
The moneyline is another way to place a side bet, but this time, it’s just about picking the winner no point spread involved. The payouts, though, are adjusted based on which team is the favorite and which is the underdog.
For example, in an NFL game:
- New England Patriots -150 vs. Miami Dolphins +130
Here’s what this means:
- A bet on the Patriots (-150) means you need to bet $150 to win $100 if they win.
- A bet on the Dolphins (+130) means a $100 bet would earn you $130 if they win.
Moneyline bets are straightforward, but they don’t offer as much flexibility as point spread bets, especially when betting on a heavily favored team.
Types of Side Bets
There’s a good variety when it comes to side bets, depending on the sport and how the sportsbook sets things up. Some common types include:
- Straight Bets: The classic bet on a team or player to win outright, available in both point spread and moneyline formats.
- Totals (Over/Under): While not technically a side bet, this type of bet lets you wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
- Halftime/Quarter Bets: Some sportsbooks offer side bets on specific parts of a game, like which team will lead at halftime or win a certain quarter.
- Prop Bets: Proposition bets are side bets on specific events within a game, like which team will score first or whether a player will hit a certain number of points. Props are a fun way to mix things up.
Why Side Betting is So Popular
There are several reasons why side betting is a favorite for both beginners and seasoned sports bettors:
- Easy to Understand: Whether you’re betting the moneyline or the point spread, side bets are pretty simple you’re just picking who you think will win or cover the spread.
- Lots of Variety: You can find side bets across tons of sports, from football and basketball to soccer, tennis, and beyond. Plus, you can bet on different aspects of the game like the point spread or the outright winner.
- Balanced Betting: Thanks to the point spread, you can find value in betting on both favorites and underdogs. The spread levels the playing field, so you’re not always forced to bet on just one side.
- Available Everywhere: Side bets are offered by pretty much every sportsbook, making them super accessible no matter where you place your bets.
Challenges of Side Betting
While side betting is straightforward, it does come with a few challenges that bettors need to be mindful of:
- Changing Point Spreads: The spread can change before a game starts based on factors like injuries, weather, or where the public is betting. This can throw off your original strategy.
- Vig (Juice): The vig or juice is the commission that sportsbooks take, usually represented by -110 odds. This means you need to win a little over 52% of your bets to break even, which can be tough without a solid plan.
- Betting on Favorites: Bettors often lose money by automatically betting on favorites without considering the spread. Just because a team is favored doesn’t mean they’ll cover the spread or give you a good return on your bet.
- Betting with Your Heart: Betting on your favorite team can cloud your judgment. When emotions get involved, it’s easy to make bets that don’t make sense logically.
Tips for Side Betting
Want to up your side betting game? Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Do Your Homework: Always research both teams before making a side bet. Look at recent performance, injuries, and how they match up head-to-head.
- Watch Line Movements: Lines can shift as more money comes in on one side. Keep an eye on these changes—they can give you insights into where the smart money is going.
- Stick to Your Budget: Manage your bankroll carefully. Avoid chasing losses by increasing your bets, and don’t get overconfident after a win.
- Leave Emotion Out of It: It’s fun to bet on your favorite team, but it’s also easy to lose money that way. Keep your bets based on research and logic, not feelings.
- Look for Underdog Value: Underdogs are often undervalued by the public, and betting on them can pay off, especially when you think the odds don’t reflect the true potential.
Conclusion
Side betting is one of the most accessible and popular forms of sports betting. Whether you’re betting on the moneyline, point spread, or other aspects of a game, side bets provide plenty of ways to make money from your sports knowledge. While they’re easy to understand, it’s important to approach side bets with a solid strategy, research, and an understanding of how odds and spreads work. By staying disciplined and leaving emotion out of it, you can improve your chances of success and enjoy the excitement of sports betting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a side bet?
A side bet is a wager on which team or player will win a game or event, often through a moneyline or point spread.
How does a point spread work in side betting?
The point spread is a margin set by oddsmakers to balance the teams. The favorite must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can win or lose by fewer points than the spread to win the bet.
What’s the difference between a moneyline and a point spread?
A moneyline is a bet on the outright winner, while a point spread requires the favorite to win by a certain margin or the underdog to stay within that margin.
Can you lose a side bet if your team wins?
Yes, if you bet on a favorite to cover the spread and they win the game but not by enough points, you can lose the bet.
What sports offer side bets?
You can place side bets on football, basketball, soccer, tennis, and most other sports.
Is side betting easier than parlay betting?
Yes, side betting is usually simpler because you’re betting on just one outcome, while parlays involve multiple bets that all have to win for a payout.