What Does -1.5 Mean in Betting?
When you see a team listed at -1.5 (also displayed as minus 1.5), it means that team is the favorite and must win the game by two or more goals/points for the bet to cash.
This type of line is especially common in lower-scoring sports such as soccer, baseball, and hockey, where games are often decided by one or two goals/runs.
A spread of 1.5 points is particularly common in lower-scoring sports like soccer, baseball, and hockey where games are often settled by a narrow margin.
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How -1.5 Spread Betting Works
Think of it this way:
- Your chosen team begins the game with a virtual handicap of -1.5.
- At the end of the match, subtract 1.5 points/goals from your team’s score.
- If your team still has more points than the opponent after the adjustment, your bet wins.
Example
- Real score: Team A 3 – Team B 1
- Bet: Team A -1.5
- Adjusted score: Team A 1.5 – Team B 1
👉 Your bet wins, because Team A still leads after the -1.5 adjustment.
If Team A had only won 2–1, the adjusted score would be Team A 0.5 – Team B 1, which means your bet would lose.
How to Win a Bet at -1.5 spread betting
To win when betting -1.5:
- Your team must win the game.
- The margin of victory must be at least 2 points/goals.
This makes -1.5 a riskier option than betting the moneyline, but it usually offers better odds and payouts, since the sportsbook demands a larger winning margin.
Key Takeaway
A -1.5 spread bet means the favorite needs to win by two or more. It’s a popular wager in close-scoring sports because it offers better value than a straight moneyline bet—but it carries the extra risk that a one-goal or one-point win won’t be enough.