You’re ready to dive into the world of DraftKings, but there’s one term that keeps popping up: “spread”. What’s it all about? Understanding the spread is pivotal to your success on the platform, and we’re here to break it down for you.
The spread, also known as point spread or betting spread, is a fundamental concept in sports betting. It’s a figure set by bookmakers to provide a numerical advantage or disadvantage to competing teams, creating a level playing field. This way, you’re not just betting on who will win, but by how much they’ll win.
In the context of DraftKings, one of the leading daily fantasy sports providers, understanding the spread can significantly boost your strategy. Let’s delve deeper into what spread means on DraftKings, and how you can use it to your advantage.
What is the Spread in Sports Betting?
To truly get a grasp on sports betting, it’s essential to understand the fundamental aspect known as the spread. Bookmakers derive this figure, which serves to balance the competing teams’ perceived inequality. It’s a calculation aimed at creating a fair playing field for betters.
Imagine you’re eyeing a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Let’s say expert bookmakers have set a spread of 7 points in favor of the Lakers. If you decide to bet on the Lakers, they would need to win by more than 7 points for you to secure a victory in your bet. This concept is similar to giving handicap to a stronger player in golf.
One of DraftKing’s unique facets is its games are often quite close—which makes understanding the spread even more vital.
With Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on DraftKings, the idea of a spread is slightly warped. In DFS, you’re not betting against a bookmaker’s spread—you’re competing against other players trying to predict who will surpass their projected fantasy points.
To put it simply:
- Identify the event you want to bet on.
- Choose a team or player.
- Consider the spread set by bookmakers.
- Place your bet taking into consideration the points given or received due to the spread.
When you begin to fully appreciate the spread’s role in sports betting, you’re boosting your chances of having a winning strategy, and thus increased profitability. Keep in mind, this is but one piece of the collective puzzle that makes up the intricate world of sports betting.
Importance of Understanding the Spread on DraftKings

You’ve learned the mechanics of the spread. Now, it’s essential you understand its significance on platforms like DraftKings, a hub for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
Mastering the Spread Affects your Success Rate
One glance at the betting tables and you’ll see the spread’s role is crucial in bettor’s decision making. To illustrate, in the 2019 NBA season, a total of 1284 games were played. Now, consider the table below:
|Favored Team Covered Spread |Underdog Covered Spread |
Total Games
|———————– |——————– |
NBA 2019 Season Games
| 612 (47.7%) | 672 (52.3%) |
1284
Nearly half the favored teams didn’t cover the spread. Had you blindly backed favorites, your success probability would’ve been less than toss a coin! Detailed knowledge of the spread would’ve substantially increased your winning potential.
DraftKings, with its DFS, adds another layer of complexity. Participants build their fantasy team looking primarily at player performance. Here’s where the spread lends strategic insight, incentivizing the choice of players from underdog teams who may outperform expectations. Understanding team performance vis-a-vis the spread can steer you towards making superior selections and increase your chances of securing a victory.
Impact of the Spread on DraftKings’ Scoring
Player points on DraftKings aren’t as simple as ‘how many points did player X score?’ Factor in the spread and the complex scoring mechanism becomes clearer.
For example, imagine the LA Lakers are playing against the Boston Celtics. LeBron James’ projected points tally may look tempting, but if the Lakers are heavy favorites per the spread, there’s a chance LeBron might not play the entire game. With a significant lead, the coach might bench him to avoid injury.
However, on the underdog’s side, star players like Jaylen Brown will probably play the full game, desperate to outscore projections and close the gap. The spread, in this situation, helps draft a team that maximizes your score.
How Does the Spread Work on DraftKings?
Understanding how the spread works on DraftKings is crucial for taking your betting game to the next level. The spread, also called the line or point spread, is a type of bet where DraftKings sets a margin of victory for a game. Essentially, you’re betting on whether a team will cover this spread.
As an example, let’s use a 2019 NBA game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. If DraftKings sets the spread at -7.5 for the Celtics, they need to win by more than 7.5 points for you to win your bet.
In terms of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), the spread is also influential. It not only affects your betting decisions but also impacts your strategic player selections. If you’ve got your eye on a star player that’s expected to cover a large spread, your chances of winning increase. After all, players on teams that are heavily favored have a higher chance of performing well.
Here’s a table showcasing some 2019 NBA spread data:
Team | Average Spread | Win/Loss Ratio |
---|---|---|
Celtics | -5.9 | 53/29 |
Knicks | +8.1 | 21/45 |
As seen above, the Celtics played most of the season as favorites due to their strong performance, with an average spread of -5.9. On the other hand, the Knicks often played as underdogs with a spread of +8.1.
Given these insights, it’s clear that understanding the spread enriches your DFS strategy. Rather than haphazardly selecting your players, you’re now capable of leveraging the spread for a more promising team composition. Simultaneously, your betting decisions turn from mere guesses to informed choices and your likelihood of success increases.
The key takeaway: understanding the spread takes you from being a bettor hoping for the best, to a skilled player equipped to make winning decisions on DraftKings. Just remember, as much as the spread is a powerful tool, it’s still only one aspect of the equation. There are many other factors at play that will ultimately determine your success. As always, DraftKings encourages responsible play.
Tips for Using the Spread to Improve Your DraftKings Strategy
When it comes to improving your DraftKings strategy, understanding the spread is a game-changer. Here are some tried-and-true tips that will help you use the spread to your advantage, bolstering the strength of your DFS play on DraftKings.
1. Evaluate the Spread for Every Game
On DraftKings, you’ll notice a spread attached to every NBA or NFL game. It’s essential to study the spread before making your picks. A greater spread can indicate that a team is strongly favored. This might increase the potential for higher point totals from star players, significantly influencing your DFS player selection.
2. Consider the Impact of Away Games
Believe it or not, the spread’s effect can vary based on whether a team is playing at home or away. Statistically, teams tend to perform better at home. So, if an away team is favoured despite the home court disadvantage, that’s a strong indication of their expected performance.
3. Emphasize Matchups with Close Spreads
Games with narrow spreads often mean that the teams are evenly matched. These games are more likely to be higher scoring and closer-fought matches, leading to potentially higher points for players.
4. Pay Attention to Over/Under Values
Along with the spread, DraftKings also provides an over/under value which signifies what the approximate total points predicted for a game are. Combining these two can provide a more holistic view when selecting players.
For example, let’s take two NFL games from 2019:
Game | Spread | Over/Under |
---|---|---|
Rams vs. Saints | Rams -1.5 | 50.5 |
Patriots vs. Dolphins | Patriots -18.5 | 46.5 |
While the Patriots have a higher spread, indicating they’re heavily favored, the Rams vs Saints game actually has a higher over/under value. This suggests that game could be more competitive and lead to higher individual point totals.
By using the spread to your advantage along with these tips, you’re already ahead in the game of DFS. Strike a balance between astute spread analysis and understanding the elements that influence it, and watch as your DraftKings success rate escalates.
Conclusion
So you’ve got the hang of what spread means on DraftKings and how it can be a game-changer in your DFS strategy. Remember, it’s not just about knowing the spread but also about leveraging it effectively. Always evaluate spreads for each game and don’t forget the impact of home vs. away games. Prioritize matchups with close spreads and keep an eye on over/under values. With these tips in your arsenal, you’re now equipped to make smarter player selections and strategic decisions. Here’s to upping your DraftKings game and boosting your chances of success. Happy gaming!