How betting lines move
A line moves when the sportsbook changes the number or the price. The move tells you where the market went, not who is right.
Why lines move
- News. A star ruled out, a quarterback change or a rest day shifts the expected margin right away.
- Betting volume. One-sided money pushes the book to adjust the number or the price to balance liability.
- Sharp action. Large bets from accounts the book respects can move a line even with little public volume.
- Weather. Wind and rain lower NFL totals. See this week's forecasts.
Opening, current and closing lines
The opening line is the first number posted. The closing line is the last one before the game starts and is usually the sharpest estimate of the true price because it absorbs the most information.
Reverse line movement
Reverse line movement is a line that moves against the side getting most of the bets, for example 70% of tickets on the favorite and the favorite's spread shrinking. It suggests larger or sharper money is on the other side, but it is only a hint.
Moves in player props
Props are priced in lines and prices. A rebounds line moving from 6.5 to 7.5 is a bigger signal than a price moving from -110 to -120. See biggest prop moves on today's NBA page.