Spread betting is one of the most exciting and high-potential ways to bet on sports, offering a huge variety of markets that differ from traditional fixed-odds sports betting.
Instead of placing a wager at a fixed-odds price set by a bookmaker, spread bettors can choose to buy or sell at a line offered by a spread betting company.
If you believe the outcome will be more than the spread you buy, and if you think the makeup will finish below the line you sell.
The more you are right, the more you win, but equally, the worse the call, the more you lose.
- Fantastic Promotions
- Fun Social Media Content
- New Bookmaker
#AD 18+ *New customers only. Bet £5+ in a single real-money bet within 7 days of registration to receive £20 in Free Bets and 2 Rocket Odds Boosts, credited within 24 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Free Bets and Rocket Odds Boosts expire 7 days after credit. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
- Enhanced Offers
- Request A Bet Feature
- Vast selection of sports markets
#AD 18+ New customers only. £10 minimum deposit. First single, e/w or multiples bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens for Football BuildABets only. 2 x £10 bet tokens for Football Accas only. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets are non-withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 7 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
- Enhanced Offers
- Exceptional Mobile App
- Fun Social Media Content
#AD 18+ New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
How Spread Betting Works
Spreads are available on a wide variety of sports and markets and the spread betting firms set the line.
For example, the spread of total goals in a Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool may be set 2.5-2.7. If it is a tight, low-scoring game, you could sell at 2.5. If it is a goal frenzy, you could buy goals at 2.7.
Firms also offer long-term markets, which provide opportunities for large profits. Brentford’s total Premier League points might be set at 39.5-41, and the option is to buy or sell at that mark.
If you bought at 41 for £10 per point, you would need the Bees to eclipse that 41 mark for a winning return. If Brentford collected 51 points this season, you would win 10x your stake as they make up ten points ahead of the spread.
If the Bees can only pick up 30 points come the end of the campaign, that would result in a loss of 9.5x the stake. It’s a high-risk, high-reward option, which can reward or punish, depending on how accurate the judgment of the bettor is.
What You Can Bet On With Spreads
Football, Snooker, Darts, Cricket, Rugby, and all major sports are available when it comes to spread betting. From the time of the first goal, total 180s, the highest match break, first-innings runs and tryscorers’ shirt numbers there are a huge range of markets to play.
You can make a trade on the total number of points a Premier League team will collect in a season or the number of goals Erling Haaland will score.
There really are so many sports and markets to spread bet on.
Pros and Cons of Spread Betting
Pros:
- There is huge upside in many markets with the prospect of winning 20x, 50x, 100x your stake or potentially even more.
- A bet simply doesn’t win or lose, it can win more or lose more as the match or tournament progresses and keeps punters interested throughout.
- A spread bet can offer higher rewards for a correct judgment.
Cons:
- Losses can exceed your initial stake and can continue to increase throughout an event.
- There is more volatility in markets, with potential for makeups far above or below the spread.
- It’s important to have a good knowledge of spread betting and it’s nuances before placing a trade.