If the odds were reversed (+1.5), then your bet would cash if the underdog either loses by no more than one point, or wins outright. In this example, -1.5 means the favored team must win by more than 1.5 points for the bet to cash. NBA point spread betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on basketball, as it adds some excitement to every basket and better odds over picking an outright winner. A basketball bettor must lay $110 to win $100 when wagering on point spreads, for example, which are game-specific lines set by NBA oddsmakers with hopes of getting equal action on both sides. It defines the amount required to earn $100 on either side of a wager and appears frequently on popular options. 110 is often referred to as the 'magic number' of sports betting. Video Poker Guide: Play the Best Online Video Poker Gamesīasketball has a wealth of options to choose from for any sports bettor - we'll examine a few different methods and explain how to read the corresponding NBA odds.