ATS betting, short for Against the Spread, is a popular wager in sports betting where you predict if a team will perform better than a set point margin. This point spread evens the playing field by giving the underdog an advantage.
How ATS Betting Works
In an ATS bet, the sportsbook assigns a point spread (e.g., -7.5 for the favorite or +7.5 for the underdog). You win if your chosen team "covers" the spread:
- If betting on the favorite, they must win by more than the spread (e.g., win by 8+ points if the spread is -7.5).
- If betting on the underdog, they must lose by fewer than the spread or win outright (e.g., lose by 7 points or less if the spread is +7.5).
Simple Example
Consider a game where Team A is favored by 10 points. The spread might be listed as "Team A -10" vs. "Team B +10." If you bet on Team A ATS, they must win by 11 or more points to cover. A bet on Team B ATS wins if Team B loses by 9 or fewer points or wins the game.
Key Differences from Moneyline Bets
- Focus on margin: ATS bets ignore the win/loss outcome; they rely purely on covering the spread.
- Balanced odds: Spreads adjust based on team strength, making ATS ideal for beginners due to fairer odds compared to moneyline bets.
Overall, ATS betting provides a straightforward way for newcomers to engage in sports betting without needing deep expertise in final scores.
