Sports Betting: TAKE A CHANCE ON THE SPREAD; WHY NOT PUT YOUR SHIRT ON PLAYERS' NUMBERS.

OPTIONS: Think price index, favourites and match ups when you go racingSHIRT NUMBERS is another popular market. Just say the market was 35-38 for the Manchester United v Arsenal match.

You expect plenty of goals from both attacks and therefore elect to buy for pounds 2 at 38.

The game ends 1-0 to Manchester United with Roy Keane (No. 16) scoring the winner.

You would lose in this case (38 - 16 = 22 X pounds 2 = pounds 44).

If, however, Roy Keane scored a hat-trick and Thierry Henry, who wears number 14 on his back, also bagged three for The Gunners in a 3 - 3 draw, the Shirt Make Up would be 90, hence a tidy profit.

You would come away with pounds 104. i.e. (90 - 38 = 52 X pounds 2 = pounds 104).

Spread betting also allows you to back your selection to do badly.

You can take a profit or cut a loss, if you wish, in running during most events.

The more volatile a market the bigger danger of losing your shirt but on a more positive note, for those of you brave and hardy souls, these sort of markets can yield handsome dividends too.