Not all sporting events are evenly matched. So when odds get lopsided, how can sports bettors level the playing field before they take a punt?
Line betting!
In the simplest sense, line betting is when you wager on a handicap associated with a match, rather than betting on who will win. The underdog receives a positive handicap, and the favourite receives a negative handicap. When you back one side against the other, you’re betting on that team being able to cover that handicapped margin of points.
Line betting is relatively simple once you understand how it works. A full explanation is below, but if you’re ready to try line betting firsthand, here are just a few of the best Australian betting sites that offer line betting:
Ladbrokes
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Dabble
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BoomBet
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Neds
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Bet365
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Line Betting Explained: An Overview
Line betting is one of the most popular forms of sports betting in Australia. It allows punters to bet on a game where the bookmaker has applied a handicap – which also can be called the “line,” or, in some countries, the “spread” – to create a more balanced betting market. This means you’re not just betting on which team will win, but whether a team will cover the line.
Whether you’re betting on AFL, NRL, or another Australian sport, line betting can help you find better value and make smarter bets.
What Does The Line Mean In Betting?
The line is the handicap set by bookmakers to even out the perceived difference in skill between two teams. It often reflects how bookies expect the game will go, too.
The favourite team will be given a negative line (e.g. -6.5 points), meaning they must win by more than that margin for your bet to win. The underdog will receive a positive line (e.g. +6.5 points), meaning they can lose by up to that margin and still be a winning bet.
A team’s recent form, injuries, and betting trends also are factored into a line. The end goal of the line is to make both betting options as close to a 50/50 proposition as possible. This is why the odds for line bets are typically around $1.90 to $2 in Australia.
How Does Line Betting Work?
Line betting means that the final score of a game will be adjusted based on the handicap before your bet is graded as a win or loss. So after the match ends, the bookmaker applies the line, and the bet is settled based on the adjusted score, rather than the real-world score.
For example, if a team is listed at -6.5, they must win by at least 7 points for the bet to be successful. If the opposing team is listed at +6.5, they must either win the game outright or lose by 6 points or fewer for the bet to win.
Line Betting Example Using AFL Teams
Let’s say you’re wagering on an AFL match between the Sydney Swans (-9.5) and Carlton Blues (+9.5). That +/- 9.5 number represents the betting line.
* If you bet on Sydney -9.5, they must win by 10 points or more for your bet to win.
* If you bet on Carlton +9.5, they must either win outright or lose by 9 points or fewer for your bet to win.
Let’s say Sydney ultimately wins by exactly 9 points. In this case, a line bet on Sydney would lose, while a bet on Carlton would win.
If Carlton were to win outright, then in this case, backing them in a line bet would result in a winning wager as well. The handicap is applied in line betting regardless of whether a team wins or loses the actual match itself.
See the latest lines our experts are backing in today’s sports betting tips, then place your bet at one of our preferred bookmakers below.
Line Betting FAQs
Is A Line The Same As A Handicap?
Yes, the line is essentially the same as a handicap. A line is created when a bookmaker applies a positive or negative point margin to teams matched up against one another. By using this point margin to handicap the final score, the bookie has created a more balanced betting market than the odds you’d likely find if you simply backed the favourite to win.
How Is The Line Determined?
Oddsmakers set the line based on a number of factors, including team performance, key injuries, betting trends, and even the weather. The goal is to create an equal betting market where both sides have roughly a 50% chance of covering the line – even when one team is strongly favoured to win the match over the other.
Does The Line Change?
Yes, the line can change based on all of the same factors that were used to set the handicap in the first place. If, across the entire Australian sports betting market, more money is placed on one side than the other, bookmakers may adjust the line to balance their bets. This is why you’ll sometimes hear a reference to what the line “opened” at when it was first put on offer, as compared to what the line “closed” at when the match began.
How Much Can You Win Line Betting?
As with all sports bets, winnings from line betting will depend on the odds and the amount you wager. Most line bets in Australia offer odds around $1.90 to $1.95, meaning a $100 bet typically returns around $190 to $195 if it’s successful.
What Is Your Best Line Betting Tip?
Our most widely shared line betting suggestion is to check multiple bookies to find the best odds before you place a bet.
For example, one sports betting site might offer lines at $2, while other sportsbooks offer it at $1.90. That means a winning wager would reward you with $200 at the former, but you’d only take home $190 if you placed this same bet with the latter.
That $10 might not seem like much, but it can add up in a big way over time. This is especially true when you consider how easy it is to compare odds at different Australian sports betting apps and online sportsbooks.
If you’re not a member of two or more sportsbooks, give yourself a chance to get the best odds possible by joining one of these new sports betting sites now:
TradieBET
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Final Thoughts
Line betting is an exciting and strategic way to bet on sports, offering more flexibility than traditional head-to-head betting. By understanding how the line works, you can use this handicap to your advantage while betting on AFL, NRL, or many other sports.
If you’re ready to see what line betting is all about, check out one of our recommended Australian sportsbooks below and try it today.
Good luck!
