How to Read Sports Odds: A Beginner’s Guide

Sports betting is booming, drawing in everyone from young first-timers to seasoned Baby Boomers. But before placing your first wager, it’s important to understand how to read sports odds. Once you get the basics down, the whole process becomes a lot more enjoyable and potentially profitable.

1. Point Spread: Leveling the Field

The point spread is most common in football and basketball. It doesn’t predict the score but rather balances betting action between teams.

Example:

#115 New York Giants +3  
#116 Philadelphia Eagles -3

• The Eagles are the favorites, needing to win by 4 or more to cover the spread.
• The Giants, as underdogs, cover if they win or lose by 2 or fewer.

You’ll also notice numbers like #115 these are rotation numbers used for placing bets at a sportsbook window or online. You bet by number, not just by team name.

2. Totals (Over/Under): Betting on Points

Another popular option is betting on the total score of both teams combined.

Example:

Total Line: 46 points  
Bet options: OVER 46 or UNDER 46

• If the final score is 28–24, that’s 52 total points. Over 46 wins.
• If the score is 21–17, that’s 38 points. Under 46 wins.

3. Money Line: Picking the Winner Straight Up

For sports like baseball and hockey or even football without spreads you can place a money line bet, which simply picks the winner.

Example:

#115 New York Giants +145  
#116 Philadelphia Eagles -165

• Betting the Eagles at -165 means you must risk $165 to win $100.
• Betting the Giants at +145 means you’d win $145 on a $100 bet if they pull the upset.

No point spread just pick the winner and let the odds determine your payout.

Putting It All Together

Here’s how a full betting line might look on a sportsbook:

These are the three core bet types point spreads, totals, and money lines that form the foundation of sports betting odds. While presentation might vary slightly between sportsbooks, the logic behind the numbers stays the same.