What Does the + and – Mean in Sport Betting?

The plus and minus in betting refer to American betting odds or the point spread. Understanding what these symbols mean makes it easy to read sports betting odds and place meaningful and lucrative bets.

This guide takes you through everything you need to know about what these symbols mean, how to read American betting odds and point spreads, and how to sign up with a sportsbook that offers American betting odds. So, let’s get started.

One of the most important things for sports bettors to know, especially those new to betting, is how to read betting odds. Bettors who understand betting odds have a far greater chance of placing winning bets than those flying by the seat of their pants. An essential part of reading American betting odds is knowing what the plus and minus placed next to these odds mean.

These two symbols give meaning to the odds and refer to the amount a bettor must put down when backing a team in order to win. However, these work differently depending on whether the team or athlete is the favorite or the underdog.

What Does – Mean in Betting?

What Does + Mean in Betting?

Now that we know how to read American betting odds, let’s look at point spreads, which are a little more complex and also use the plus and minus symbols.

The point spread is also referred to as handicap betting. Here, the sportsbook has an instance on its hands where there is a strong favorite set to face a relatively weak opponent. This means that the odds are very much in favor of one team, which leads to minimal and unexciting odds.

To remedy this, the sportsbook applies a handicap or points to the two teams, adding points to the underdog and removing them from the favorite to level the playing field.

In addition to now showing the odds for each team, the sportsbook also highlights the points added or removed from a squad or athlete. So, let’s take a closer look:

How to Read a Point Spread

Since a point spread shows both the handicap and the odds, let’s see what this looks like. In the example below, we see a baseball game that will take place between the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now, instead of just the odds, we see the point spread too. The point spread is the number at the top (+/- 1.5), and the odds are the figures below this. So, here the Cincinnati Reds are the favorite to win the point spread, with odds of +1.5  -125.

What Does Minus 1.5 Mean in Plus Minus Betting?

What Does +1.5 Mean in Betting?

Which Sports Can I Bet On Using Plus Minus Betting?

To take advantage of plus minus betting, bettors must sign up with a sportsbook, create a profile, and deposit funds first. Luckily, this is quick and easy to do and we show you how using our short guide that follows. Here, we use BetOnline as an example, but the process is much the same for most sportsbooks, so you can follow these steps for BetOnline alternatives too.

Step One – Register with BetOnline

Search for and then open the BetOnline website and click the green “Join” button. Next, add your details on the registration form that opens, and choose a username and password. Then, click “Create Account.”

Step Two – Get Verified

Once you have registered your account, BetOnline will email you a verification link which you must click to activate your new profile. After you’ve done this, use your new username and password to sign back into BetOnline and access your account.

Step Three – Make Your First Deposit

Next, you’ll need to fund your account so that you can place bets. So, click the blue “Banking” button on the homepage. Then, choose your payment method from the dropdown menu, and add the amount you wish to deposit. Next, type your BetOnline promo code “BOL1000” in the promo code box provided to claim your sign-up bonus. Finally, click “Deposit Now” and follow the prompts to finalize your payment.

Step Four – Choose Your Sport

Click on the “Sports” tab on the BetOnline homepage. Then, select the sport you want to place your plus-minus wagers on, for example, basketball. Next, from the options available for this sport, select the league and match you want to put your money on.

Step Five – Place Your Wager

Once you have selected the game, click on the appropriate line to populate your bet slip with the relevant details. Next, type in the amount you want to put down on your bet slip. Then, click “place bet,” and you’re done!

While getting used to reading sports betting odds may take time, there are a few tips you can use to help you along the way. Below, we offer our top tips for + and – sports betting.

Tip One: Remember, Odds Can Change

When reading odds for a particular match, keep in mind that these odds can change quickly depending on the action on the line or other circumstances, and as a result, they change often. The top regulated and offshore sports betting sites adjust their odds in real-time, so keep an eye on them in case the signs flip or placing a hedge or arbitrage bet makes sense.

Tip Two: Seek Value in the Underdogs

If you choose to wager according to favorites and underdogs, take the time to look for value in the underdogs. In some instances, it makes sense to wager on the underdog as these bets typically bring in greater profits. Sometimes, the public will heavily back the home team, placing them as the favorite according to the action. However, the opposing team may be stronger and end up winning despite being the underdog.

Tip Three: Not All Favorites Are Equal

While a team or athlete may have a minus (-) next to their name, it doesn’t mean they are the favorite by streaks. While a sportsbook will generally designate a favorite in a matchup, sometimes both teams have equal chances of winning and will, in this case, both have a minus (-) next to their names.

When this happens, it is important to look closely at the number next to the symbol. The team with the number further from 100 is the favorite. For example if Team A is -105 and Team B is -110, then Team B is the favorite. However, as with all other betting, wagering on the “underdog” here is still more lucrative than backing the favorite.

Tip Four: Shop Around

Sportsbooks will determine their own odds based on recent happenings. While most of these are similar, finding odds that are slightly better can make a huge difference if you win on a large wager. As a result, it is best to shop around and look at the odds various sportsbooks provide in order to find the most competitive odds that offer the best payouts.

Which Site Offers the Best Plus Minus Betting?