Betting The Line

[whufc]

This sounds like a real silly question, but im new to betting on the NBA and would greatly appreciate someone explaining what betting up and under the line is for eg, Cleveland were paying $2.00 for -10.5 and New York Knicks $1.75 for +10.5

[Dissident]

This sounds like a real silly question, but im new to betting on the NBA and would greatly appreciate someone explaining what betting up and under the line is for eg, Cleveland were paying $2.00 for -10.5 and New York Knicks $1.75 for +10.5

I'm new-ish to it as well, but to put it simply, they work out how many points one team is better than the other, and make it (As good as ) level odds.

So in the above example, they are saying that Clevelend are a 10 1/2 point better team than the Knicks.

If you bet on CLE -10.5 ... then to WIN you need CLE to win by 11 or more.
If you bet on NYK +10.5 ... then to WIN you need NYK to lose by 10 or less (or win, obviously).

Just add, or take, the line from/to the score at the end!

If it's 100-91 win to CLE then NYK+10.5 would win, not CLE-10.5

[whufc]

to easy dis,
thanks thats a great explanation i like Cleveland to beat the line, i think they will win by 22pts

[Dutchy]

Yeah what your referring to is the TAB odds...they set the line (-10.5) at $1.85 (poor odds) and as the money comes in for one they adjust the price, so in your example more money has come in NYK than CLE, maybe an injury to LBJ??? so they have reduced the price on NYK and put out the price for CLE hoping to balance the books by people like yourself taking the $2-00.

Now the TAB are the only book that I know that dont adjust the line according to the $$$$ that come in...so instead of adjusting the price bookies will keep the price around $1.90 for both but amend the line...e.g the line might now be -9.5 for both...hope this makes sense

[whufc]

yeah i get you mate,
I was going to back Cleveland for the win @ $1.12 but the ten point line @ $1.90 sounded much better but at this stage they might not even win the game.

[Dutchy]

yeah not looking good ATM!!!