This is another popular one and I am shocked how many people still for fall for this every time.

What you need to look out for, is a new member on Betting or Sports Forums.

The new member will post up a message saying something like:

This scam is everywhere, and even more so on the internet than anywhere.

You will get a mailshot or come across a website that has been advertised somewhere and the results will be absolutely amazing, profits galore they state, come join us and make pot loads of cash!

Let me tell you now, no genuine tipster would ever portray themselves like that because they know it's not the done thing.

This is the classic scam.

A smooth talking salesman will usually try and get you on the phone to really convince you that you are going to be part of a "secret gamble", but I assure you, this is not the case.

How do I know that this is true ? Well, many years ago, when I was young and naive, I fell for this trick!

The salesman will tell you that the horse in question has been meticulously prepared for this one race for months.

Asian Handicap quite simply eliminates the draw in any football match. It does so by handicapping both teams, with halves and quarters, as well as level ball (see below).

Can you show me an example ?

Well, you have fixed odds betting such as Arsenal @ 1.90 to beat Birmingham away, with a £10 stake. The Asian handicap equivalent would probably be Arsenal -0.5.

Arsenal -0.50 means Arsenal have to win by 1 clear goal or better, for your bet to win, as they start the match half a goal behind. Hence, should Arsenal draw or lose, they would have lost the bet, as they would still be behind by half a goal.

Are the prices different on Asian Handicaps ?

This bit is quite simple. The majority of Asian Handicaps will be 1.90 each team. The reason for that is because the handicap is supposed to make it a level game. However, some bookies will offer a better handicap with reduced odds, and also a worse handicap, with better odds, to entice you either way.

Can you show me all the types of Asian Handicaps ?

The biggest myth about spread betting in general, is that it is exceptionally dangerous, that is utter rubbish. It is as dangerous as betting fixed odds, if you bet more than you can afford, then you are going to run into trouble.

Spread Betting is something I have been doing for a while now myself. One thing you must do is start off with small stakes, preferably on the beginners spread betting platform, BetHiLo.

The next myth is one I hear all the time – “Spread Betting is too complicated, I just don’t understand it”.

The reason being this, is quite simply you have not given enough time or patience to fully understand it, and it is nowhere near as difficult as some people make out, it’s alarmingly easy in fact.

Spread Betting is something every punter should know how to do, otherwise, you can’t even begin to understand, what you are missing. I’ll go as far as saying, fixed odds only punters, are living in the dark ages, and denying themselves so many more opportunities to earn good profits.

Spread Betting has lots and lots of different markets – so how can you begin to use them all ?

Quite simply, you don’t. You find which markets you feel you have an edge on. Just like when you find a football league, or perhaps Grand Slam Tennis events, that you always seem to punt well on, you stick to those.

Learning and punting spread betting is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, take your time, understand it, and anything you don’t understand, then you can ask in The Punters Lounge “General Betting Help” forum for advice.

Have you an example of how to spread bet and exactly how it works ?

Ok, below I will give you two different markets on Football.

Hearts v Ferencvaros - Total Goals Spread

(SELL) 2.50 – 2.60 (BUY)

This means that you can predict lower (SELL) or higher (BUY), just like the Over/Under 2.5 Fixed Odds Goals Bets.

To “SELL” the figure in question is always on the left. To “BUY”, it is always the figure on the right, which is your interest. The Spread Betting Firm here, is basically saying they think there will be between 2 and 3 goals. If Man Utd were playing Dover, you could expect that spread to go from 2.50 – 2.60 to probably 4.80 - 4.90, because naturally Man Utd should hammer Dover.

Now, say you have a very strong opinion that there is definitely going to be a goal fest in this match, you would “BUY” @ 2.60 for say £10.

If the result was 5-3 at full time, that is a total of 8 goals. You take those 8 goals, deduct the amount you bought at, which was 2.60 goals, leaving a total profit of 5.40 goals at stake of £10. So, £10 x 5.40 = £54.00 profit. If your stake had been £100, you would have made £540.00.

If the result was 0-0 at full time, then you have made a loss. You would have bought at 2.60 goals for £10, and the total goals are 0. So, your loss is 2.60 x £10 = £26.00, if you had bet £100, your loss would be £260.00.

Please bear in mind, you can “close” the bet, at any point during the match.

For Example:

You have sold goals @ 2.50 for £100 and Hearts are leading 3-0 in the 30th minute. Obviously your bet is in serious trouble at this point, as you are already showing a 0.5 goal loss per your stake. You have the choice to close your bet and take it on the chin, something all good spread bettors have and continue to do at times.

Hearts v Ferencvaros - Hearts Supremacy Spread (Supremacy is basically the amount of goals a team will win by over the opposing team)

(SELL) 0.70 – 0.80 (BUY)

This means that you can predict lower (SELL) or higher (BUY), on how many goals you think Hearts will or won’t win by.

To “SELL” the figure in question is always on the left. To “BUY”, it is always the figure on the right, that is your interest. The Spread Betting Firm here, is basically saying they think Hearts are favourites, but not big favourites.

Now, say you have a very strong opinion that Hearts will win this match, you would “BUY” @ 0.80 for say £50.

If the result was 3-0 at full time, then that would be mean you have made a profit. You take your 3 goals, deduct the 0.80 goals you bought at, leaving a total win of 2.20 multiplied by your £50 stake. So, £50 x 2.20 goals = £110.00 profit. If your stake had been £200, you would have made £440.00.

If the result was 3-3 at full time, then you have made a loss. You would have bought Hearts @ 0.80 goals for £10, Hearts supremacy will be 0 because they have drawn the match 3-3, so your loss is 0.80 time your stake. So, your loss is 0.80 x £50 = £40.00, if you had bet £200, your loss would be £160.00.

Please bear in mind, you can “close” the bet, at any point during the match.

For Example:

You have bought Hearts Supremacy @ 0.80 for £50 and Hearts are leading 3-0 at half time. At this point, you are looking at a healthy profit, and have the choice of letting the bet run, in the hope Hearts score more and increase your profit, or take the profit and run, because you think Ferencvaros may come back into the match.

Where can I Spread Bet ?

Below are the only current recommendations, I may add more in the future, but some are fairly new and not as financially stable as the ones below.

Sporting Index

The world leaders in spread betting, an extremely impressive and professional set up.

Sporting Index have more markets than any other spread betting firm, and the rest have a long way to go, to get anywhere near as good as this. Constant promotions of the highest quality, and their staff are only to willing to sit on the phone with you, for as long as it takes for you to understand the query you have put to them.

Punters Lounge rating 11/10 – Yes I did say eleven, they are that professional.

Click here to open a Sporting Index account and claim your £200 supremacy bet!

BetHiLo

Please note you cannot hold a BetHiLo and Sporting Index account at the same time, you have to close one, when transferring to the other, this is the gaming law.

This is owned by Sporting Index, and is a prime example of why they get such a high mark. The one big problem with spread betting originally was the minimum stakes were a bit too high for the average punter. Along come Sporting Index, in the shape of their beginner platform, BetHiLo, to save the day yet again.

You can bet as low as 1p, so hardly any risk, and BetHiLo is soooo simple, it’s staggering. They really have captured what needed to be done, for those people who said spread betting was too difficult to understand.

I myself chose BetHiLo to begin with, and having their online teacher, “Beth” turned on, you simply cannot go wrong. BetHiLo is the baby steps instruction to spread betting, and is advised to all new spread bettors, before you move on to Sporting Index, which obviously offers a lot more, for the intermediate, and advanced spread betting punters.

Punters Lounge rating 10/10 – Full marks again.

Click here to open a BetHiLo account and claim your £30 cash offer!

Spreadfair

Spreadfair is unique, as it is the very first spread betting exchange. Very much like Betfair were the pioneers in betting exchange arena. Spreadfair have exploited a gap in the market, and it is already hugely successful, backed by a very stable company.

It is only a matter of time before Sporting Index respond to this, and I’m sure it will be good for the whole spread betting scene, as more competition means better spread margins for us all.

Spreadfair is highly recommended by Punters Lounge and gets a 9/10 rating.

Click here to open a Spreadfair account and claim your Free £50 Bet!

Are there any Free Bets or Sign Up Promotions?

Spread Betting firms are the kings of sign up promotions, quality bonuses and weekly specials without question! Their bonuses are unrivalled, and Punters Lounge will from time to time, have exclusive offers open to Punters Lounge members only.

The bonuses in detail are below:

Sporting Index

Add to the thrill of the football season with a £200 football bet on any live Premiership or Championship match.

*Credit and suitability checks, **terms and conditions apply. See site for further details about an account with Sporting Index. Sports spread betting involves a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original stake. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure that you understand the risks involved and only bet with money you can afford to lose. Sporting Index is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

BetHiLo

Fancy putting £30 cash in your pocket? All YOU have to do is open a bethilo account and place FIVE bets.

*Suitability checks, **terms and conditions apply. See site for further details about an account with Bethilo. Sports spread betting involves a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original stake. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure that you understand the risks involved and only bet with money you can afford to lose. Bethilo is a trading name of Sporting Index, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

0-0 Cashback!

Don't fret if you've gone HIGH of shirt numbers and the scoresheet remains blank at the final whistle. We're here to help.

Click here to open a BetHiLo account and claim your £30 cash offer!

Spreadfair

£50 Free Bet

Place one bet of any size on any market and Cantor Spreadfair will credit £50 to your account.

• World's first sports spread betting exchange.
• Bet against other spread bettors
• Get narrower spreads
• You choose price and stake
• Open an account online in minutes

Click here to open a Spreadfair account and claim your Free £50 Bet!