“Line” in betting is basically a handicap. A bookmaker looks at two teams, figures one is better than the other by a certain number of points, and sets a “line” around that gap.
It levels the playing field to what the bookmaker thinks is a 50/50 outcome.
For example, in AFL, if it’s the Bombers playing the Swans (in 2026), the line should be set around the 10-goal mark. The Bombers would have a +59.5 line, and the Swans would have a -59.5 line.
That means if you bet on the Bombers line, they essentially get a 59.5 head start – they need to lose by 59 points or less (or somehow draw or win the game) for you to win your bet. If you bet on the Swans line, it means they need to win by 60 points or more for you to win your bet.
Is line betting popular?
In Australia, line betting flies under the radar a bit compared to head-to-head, but in North America it’s the go-to betting market in almost all sports. Most Americans couldn’t care less about the moneyline (their version of head-to-head) – the “spread” (their terminology for line) is king over there.
For punters here, line betting is worth a look when the head-to-head price on a favourite is too short to bother with. That’s where lines come into their own.
Which sports have line betting markets?
Anywhere there’s a scoreboard, really. AFL, NRL, NFL, basketball, rugby, soccer, tennis – all of them will have line betting markets.
Which bookmakers offer line betting?
Not something you need to shop around for. All of the best betting sites will have lines up on every major fixture, but it’s a good idea to compare a few bookies before placing your bets, as sometimes the line can vary slightly – which can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing your bet.