What is ATS in Betting? A Complete Guide

You may well have heard the phrase ATS betting, but what exactly does it mean? Today, we’re going to give you a full rundown of what ATS betting is, as well as tell you how to use it the next time you visit your favourite online bookmakers. 

So, let’s get down to business! 

What is ATS in Betting?

The good news is, the ATS meaning is super simple. ATS is short for ‘Against the Spread’ and it’s where you bet on the point spread set out by the bookmaker. 

Primarily used in the US, ‘the spread’ is a number sent by the sportsbook to create more balance between the teams competing against one another in a match or event. 

Effectively, the spread represents the margin of victory that either the favourite team is expected to win by, or that the underdog is expected to lose by. Therefore, betting against the spread means that you wager on whether a team will cover this point spread.

How ATS Works 

In order to understand how ATS works, first you have to understand the point spread. As mentioned, ‘the spread’ is a margin determined by the bookmaker, which is effectively a handicap. 

To create a spread, the bookmaker first decides which team is the favourite, and then deducts a certain amount of points from them, meaning they start the game or match in a deficit. At the same time, the bookmaker will give the underdog a certain amount of points in their favour, meaning they get a head start. The margin in between these plus and minus points is what we call the spread.

For instance, if you have Arsenal vs Brighton in the Premier League, Arsenal will be the favourites and Brighton will be the underdogs. Therefore, a bookmaker might give Arsenal -2 goals and Brighton +2 goals, meaning that Arsenal must win the game 4-0 to cover the spread. 

Therefore, ATS betting is simply wagering on whether or not a team will cover the spread or not. 

Common ATS Betting Mistakes 

While ATS betting is a simple concept, there are still some things that can trip you up if you are not an experienced punter. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the most common ATS betting mistakes and how to avoid them.

Avoiding misconceptions About ATS

One of the most common mistakes that people make is assuming that betting on the favourite is the safest bet you can make, regardless of the spread. However, that simply isn't true. 

The whole point of the spread is to create a more equal playing field for two teams where the outcome would usually be quite predictable. Therefore always consider how the spread impacts your bet, rather than focusing on who you think will win or lose the match.

Understanding the impact of a home-field advantage

Regardless of what type of bet you make, you must always consider the impact of a home-field advantage. 

Teams often perform better on their own turf, as they have the familiarity of the stadium or pitch, as well as the support of the fans, in their favour. Most sportsbooks will adjust the odds to reflect a home-field advantage, but it's important that you take it into consideration as well. 

In the event that the sports betting site forgets to factor this in, which may even get yourself a value bet out of it. Therefore, always consider which teams are playing at home and how this may affect your betting technique.

Recognising Potential Upsets

Like any betting technique, ATS isn't immune to potential upsets. A lot of people avoid betting on the underdog, as they think that the favourite is still the best team to back. However, as you'll know, the underdogs can miraculously outperform even the toughest teams on occasion. 

Therefore, don’t underestimate the potential for a random win from the less-favoured team at any point!