Reading sports betting lines is an essential skill for anyone looking to bet on on their favorite sports teams. While it may seem daunting, breaking down the different components of a line helps to simplify it.

A comprehensive guide on how to read sports betting lines and offer step-by-step instructions on interpreting them.

The first step in reading sports betting lines requires the three types of bets: moneyline, point spread, and over/under. A bet on the moneyline is a bet on a team to win the game outright, with no points awarded or deducted. For example, if the New York Yankees are playing the Boston Red Sox, the favorites might be listed at minus 150 (the favorite) and the Red Sox at plus 130 (the underdogs).

A point spread bet is a bet on a favorite to win by a specific number of points. If the point spread is listed as NY Yankees – 7, it indicates the favorites must win by at least 8 points for a bettor to win your bet. If a bettor bet the underdogs +7, the underdogs can lose by up to 6 points for you to win your bet.

under bet is a bet on whether the total points scored in the game will be over or under a certain number. For instance, if the over/under is listed as 9.5, a bettor can bet on either the total number of points scored to be over 9.5 or under 9.5. If the final score is New York Yankees 8, Boston Red Sox 5, the total points scored is 13, and since 13 is over 9.5, a bettor would win your over bet.

To interpret the line for your chosen contest, you will need to look at the moneyline odds, point spread, and betfoot over/under number. The favorite is listed first, and the moneyline odds are listed in a format of either a negative number (favorite) or a positive number (underdog). The point spread is listed as a positive or negative number depending on the favorite or underdog.

To make a bet, a bettor need to choose a side (favorite or underdog) and a type of bet (moneyline, point spread, or over/under). Next, you need to decide how much you want to wager, keeping in mind that you will need to wager the opposite amount in order to break even. Finally, place your bet at a sportsbook or online betting platform.

Reading sports betting lines needs a basic understanding of the different types of bets and how to read the line. By following these steps and being familiar with the separate line components, a bettor can make informed decisions and place wagers on your favorite sports teams.