As a sports bettor, getting acquainted with industry-specific jargon can unlock new levels of understanding and strategy. Our mini-series continues as we delve into another phrase that frequents the HOFBets community: the ‘Backdoor Cover'.

What is a ‘Backdoor Cover'?

A ‘Backdoor Cover' occurs when a team covers the point spread because of events (like a last second touchdown) that happen late in the competition, regardless of the match's overall outcome.

While it can add an unforeseen thrill, a backdoor cover can be the source of both elation and frustration for bettors, depending on which side of the bet they find themselves.

An Example of a ‘Backdoor Cover':

This is an example that will typically occur in higher scoring sports such as football or basketball, as the spreads for these sports are typically set at higher numbers. One thing that can typically contribute to the dreaded (or beloved) backdoor cover is when one team is blowing out the other, it will be typical to empty the bench and substitute in your reserve players. In this case, sometimes the team losing will still continue to score, bringing the line closer back to what was set for the game.

Another common contributor to this occurrence is when a team is down by a margin that they cannot feasibly come back from but they still manage to hit a last second shot that pushes the total past the line.

Suppose we take the Spurs at -4 in this upcoming NBA Summer League game:

Let’s say the Spurs were up by six during the last possession of the game. It would not be realistic for the Lakers to comeback with this little time left, but it would still make sense that one of their players would shoot a three to try and salvage something. If this shot were to hit while the buzzer sounded, the Spurs would only have won by three – the Lakers would have achieved a backdoor cover. They've ‘covered the spread', not by winning the game, but by keeping the losing margin less than the point spread.

If they hit a two-pointer, then the spread would have pushed. Missed that article? Check here.

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The Impact of a ‘Backdoor Cover':

Backdoor covers add an unpredictable element to sports betting. They can turn what looks like a sure win into a loss or a near-certain loss into an unexpected win. It's a concept that underscores why every second of the game matters in sports betting.

Strategies to Deal with ‘Backdoor Covers':

While you can't predict a backdoor cover, there are ways to approach it strategically:

Bankroll Management: Given the unpredictability of backdoor covers, effective bankroll management becomes crucial. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Spread Analysis: Analyze point spread trends for teams, focusing on their propensity for late-scoring or ‘giving up' late scores.

In-Play Betting: Live or in-play betting allows you to adjust your betting strategy as the game progresses, potentially safeguarding against a backdoor cover scenario.

Conclusion:

The term ‘backdoor cover' adds an unpredictable twist to sports betting, emphasizing the importance of strategies that accommodate for every possible outcome. As we continue to explore and explain these betting terms, you'll be well on your way to becoming a more informed, strategic bettor.

Ready to uncover more sports betting terminologies? Stay tuned for our next post. If you found this article helpful, share it with your fellow bettors and let's continue learning together. Happy betting!

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All odds in this article are from DraftKings Sportsbook.