Point Spreads Explained: Sports Betting Guide to What They Are

If you’re new to sports betting, you’ve probably heard people talk about “the spread” or “covering the spread.”

The point spread is one of the most popular bet types in football and basketball, especially in the NFL, college football, and NBA.

In simple terms, the point spread is a number set by sportsbooks that represents the expected margin of victory between two teams.

It’s essentially a handicap that evens the playing field, making a matchup between a strong team and a weaker team more balanced from a betting perspective.

Instead of just picking the winner of a game, point spread betting challenges you to predict how much a team will win or lose by.

What is a Point Spread? (Definition & Basics)

A point spread is the predicted scoring difference between two teams, used by oddsmakers to level the odds for betting.

One team is labeled the favorite (expected to win) and the other the underdog (expected to lose). The favorite is “giving” points, indicated by a minus sign (-), while the underdog is “getting” points, indicated by a plus sign (+).

The actual spread number (ignoring the +/-) is the same for both teams – it’s the cushion given to the underdog and the hurdle for the favorite.

For example, imagine the Chicago Bears are -7 and the Detroit Lions are +7 in a game. This means the sportsbook expects Chicago to win by seven points.

If you bet on the Bears at -7, they must win by more than 7 points for your bet to win (they need to cover the spread by winning decisively). If you bet on the Lions at +7, they can cover by either winning the game outright or losing by less than 7 points.

In this scenario, 7 points is the point spread (also called “the line”).

Why not just bet on who wins the game? The point spread makes betting on either team attractive, even if one team is much stronger.

It levels the playing field between teams of varying skill, giving the underdog a head start and the favorite a handicap. This way, a matchup with a heavy favorite can still draw bets on both sides.

Sportsbooks use the spread to encourage balanced betting action – ideally half the bets on the favorite and half on the underdog. The goal is to get roughly 50/50 action so the book isn’t overly exposed on one side. In a well-set spread, the favorite and underdog each have close to an equal chance to “cover” in the eyes of bettors.

Point spreads are most common in high-scoring sports like football and basketball. In the NFL and college football, you’ll routinely see point spreads ranging from just a couple points for evenly matched teams, up to two, three, or even four touchdowns (e.g. -28) when a powerhouse faces a weak opponent.

In the NBA and college basketball, spreads can vary from a few points to around 15–20+ in mismatches. The concept remains the same: the favorite gives points, the underdog gets points.

How Do Point Spreads Work? (Favorites, Underdogs & “Covering”)

When you look at a point spread, you’ll see something like Team A -7 (-110) vs Team B +7 (-110) on a sportsbook line. Let’s break down what that means:

Favorite (-7) – The team with the negative number (Team A) is the favorite. In our example, Team A is favored by 7 points. For a bet on the favorite to win, Team A must win by more than 7 points. If they win by 8, 10, 20 points – great, they covered the spread. But if they win by exactly 7 or anything less, they failed to cover from the bettor’s perspective (more on pushes in a moment). A favorite “giving 7 points” essentially starts the game at -7 in the betting sense.
Underdog (+7) – The team with the positive number (Team B) is the underdog. They are “getting 7 points,” meaning bettors have a 7-point cushion. If you bet on the underdog, Team B can lose the game by 6 or fewer points and still win your bet (because those +7 points keep you within the spread). Of course, if the underdog actually wins the game outright, that also wins the bet (winning outright is definitely within +7!). The underdog essentially starts with a +7 head start in the betting score.
Covering the Spread – “Covering” means the team you bet on beat the spread. A favorite covers by winning by more than the spread number. An underdog covers by staying within the spread (losing by fewer points than the spread, or winning the game). Bettors will often talk about a team’s record “ATS” (against the spread), which reflects how often that team covers the spread, not just whether they win games. Covering is all that matters for the point spread bet’s outcome.

Now, let’s address the outcomes. For any point spread bet, there are three possible results: win, lose, or push.

Win: You “beat” the spread. For example, say the Dallas Cowboys are -7 favorites and they win the game by 10 points. If you bet Dallas -7, you win because they covered (10-point win > 7-point spread). If you had taken the opponent at +7, that bet loses in this case.
Lose: You failed to cover. For instance, if the Cowboys only won by 3 points as a -7 favorite, a bet on Dallas would lose (they didn’t cover the 7-point spread). Conversely, anyone who took the +7 underdog wins their bet, because the underdog stayed within 7 points.
Push: The final margin lands exactly on the spread. If Dallas won by exactly 7 points (matching the -7 spread), neither side wins – it’s a push or tie. In a push, the sportsbook refunds the wager amount to bettors on both sides . Essentially, it’s as if the bet never happened – you get your money back. No one “covers” in a push.

Sportsbooks dislike pushes, so they often set spreads with a half-point (e.g. -3.5 or +3.5) to avoid a tie outcome. That half-point is sometimes called the “hook.” With a spread like 3.5, there’s no possibility of a push – a game can’t have a half-point difference.

Example: If Team C is -3.5 and Team D is +3.5, Team C must win by 4 or more for a bet on the favorite to cash, while Team D can lose by 3 or less (or win outright) for the underdog bet to cash. A 3-point win by Team C would mean the favorite didn’t cover (because they fell 0.5 short of the 3.5 spread).

The hook adds just a bit more clarity – one side will definitely cover. Many football and basketball spreads include a .5 for this reason, to eliminate pushes.

It’s important to note that point spread betting is about the margin, not necessarily who wins the game. A team can win the game but not cover the spread, and vice versa.

For example, if you bet a 10-point favorite and they win the game, you might think you won your bet – but if they only won by 7 when they needed to win by 10+, your bet actually loses.

On the flip side, an underdog can lose the game but still make its bettors money by covering the spread. This is why you’ll hear bettors say things like “Team X won, but didn’t cover,” or “Team Y lost the game, but covered the spread.” The spread creates that extra layer beyond just the final score outcome.

Quick recap: The favorite’s point spread (-X) is how much they must win by to cover, and the underdog’s spread (+X) is how much they can lose by and still cover.

If the final score margin is bigger than the spread in favor of the favorite, favorite bettors win.

If the final margin is smaller than the spread (or the underdog wins outright), underdog bettors win.

If the margin is exactly the spread, it’s a push (tie) and bets are refunded.

Why Do Sportsbooks Use Point Spreads?

Point spreads exist because not all teams are evenly matched. If sportsbooks only offered straight-up bets on who will win (known as moneyline bets), betting on big favorites would be too easy and not very rewarding (you’d have to risk a lot to win a little).

The point spread gives bookmakers a tool to balance the action and make nearly any game interesting to bet on, even if one team is heavily favored.

Imagine a powerhouse team versus a bottom-dweller – without a spread, almost everyone would bet on the favorite to win outright. By introducing a point handicap, sportsbooks can get people to consider betting the underdog too (since the underdog now has a virtual lead before the game even starts).

The spread “handicaps” the favorite and boosts the underdog, so bettors have a tough choice and money flows to both sides of the wager.

Sportsbooks aim to have roughly equal money wagered on both teams. When the bets are balanced, the book is guaranteed a profit from the built-in fee (the vig or juice, usually -110 odds) regardless of who wins the game.

The point spread is set with this in mind – it’s not only a prediction of the score difference but also a tool to entice betting on the underdog and limit bets on the favorite.

In an ideal world for the bookmaker, the favorite covering and the underdog covering would each be about a 50/50 proposition, yielding even betting action. Of course, it doesn’t always work out perfectly, but that’s the goal.

In short, sportsbooks use point spreads to level the betting odds between two uneven teams. The spread makes betting on either side more attractive, which keeps games with heavy favorites interesting from a wagering standpoint.

It wouldn’t be much fun (or profitable for the book) if everyone just loaded up on the obvious winner every time. The point spread keeps things competitive by giving the underdog a fighting chance at the betting window if not on the actual field.

Real-World Example: Point Spread Results (Win, Lose, or Push)

Let’s walk through a real-world style example to illustrate how point spread bets play out:

Matchup: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (NFL)
Point Spread: Patriots -7, Jets +7 (often shown as NE -7 / NYJ +7)

Patriots win by 10 (27-17 final score). The Pats were favored by 7 and they won by 10, which is more than the spread. That means New England covered the spread. If you bet Patriots -7, you won the bet. Patriots bettors are happy, because the team cleared the 7-point hurdle. Jets +7 bettors lose in this case, since the underdog lost by more than 7.
Patriots win by 7 (24-17 final). The Pats won by exactly the spread number. This results in a push. Neither Patriots -7 nor Jets +7 bets win or lose – all wagers are refunded. It’s essentially a tie from the betting perspective. (This is why that half-point “hook” can be significant; if the spread had been -7.5, a 7-point win by New England would actually be a loss for Patriots bettors.)
Patriots win by 3 (20-17 final). In this scenario, New England won the game but did not cover the 7-point spread (they only won by 3). A bet on Patriots -7 loses. Meanwhile, a bet on Jets +7 wins, because the underdog kept the game within 7 points. The Jets “covered” despite losing the game outright – a great outcome for anyone who backed the underdog with the points.
Jets win outright (21-20 final, for example). The underdog not only covered but won the game. Any Jets +7 tickets win easily (winning outright is definitely within +7!). Patriots -7 bettors take a loss because New England didn’t come close to covering in a straight-up defeat.

As you can see, covering the spread is the key to winning a point spread bet. It’s not just about who wins the game in reality, but who wins against the spread.

A favorite can win the game yet lose for spread bettors if they don’t win by enough.

An underdog can lose the game yet still win for bettors if they exceed expectations and keep it close.

This dynamic leads to interesting betting talk. You might hear something like, “The Chiefs won, but didn’t cover the 10-point spread,” or “The underdog Browns covered the spread in a close loss.” Bettors track teams’ performance against the spread (ATS) as an indicator of whether they tend to exceed or fall short of oddsmakers’ expectations.

Alternate Spread Lines (Buying or Selling Points)

In addition to the standard point spread on a game, many sportsbooks offer alternate spread lines. An alternate spread (or “alt line”) is simply a point spread that’s different from the main listed spread – effectively you can choose a softer or tougher spread than the original, with the odds adjusted accordingly. This allows you to control your risk versus reward on a bet.

If you think the favorite will win by way more than the standard spread, you might “sell points” and take a larger spread for a higher payoff. For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are -7 favorites but you believe they’ll blow out the opponent, you could bet an alternate line of Chiefs -14.5 for a bigger payout than the regular -7 line. Since -14.5 is much harder to cover, the sportsbook will reward that risk with higher odds (perhaps +200 or more, meaning double your money if it hits).
On the other hand, if you’re not as confident in the favorite, you could “buy points” to get a safer spread but at a cost of worse odds. For instance, you might take Chiefs -3.5 as an alternate spread instead of -7. This easier spread (they only need to win by 4) will likely come with a steep price (maybe around -200 odds, meaning you risk $200 to win $100). It’s a trade-off: you increase your chances of winning the bet, but the payout is smaller.

The same principle works with underdogs: you can take an underdog at a larger + spread for safer but lower payout, or a smaller + spread (or even flipping them to a favorite role with a – spread) for a chance at a bigger payday.

Sportsbooks often list a whole menu of alternate spreads (and associated odds) for each game. These options let you fine-tune how much cushion or challenge you want beyond the main point spread.

Keep in mind: when you adjust the spread, the odds (juice) will change significantly. A small shift around key numbers (like 3 or 7 in football) can have a big impact on odds.

Alternate lines are an advanced tool – great if you have a strong conviction about a game’s outcome, but always compare the risk vs reward. If the standard spread doesn’t quite fit your expectations, an alternate spread might be worth a look.

Run Lines and Puck Lines (MLB & NHL)

Point spreads aren’t just for football and basketball. Other sports have similar concepts under different names:

Run Line (MLB): In baseball, the common “point spread” is called the run line, and it’s almost always 1.5 runs. Because baseball games are typically low-scoring, the standard is that one team is -1.5 (favorite) and the other is +1.5 (underdog). If you bet a baseball favorite on the run line -1.5, they need to win by 2 or more runs to cover. If you bet the +1.5 underdog, they can lose by one run (or win the game) and still cover. The run line gives the weaker team a small cushion, similar to a point spread of 1.5. It’s essentially baseball’s version of a spread. Do note that alternate run lines exist too (you might see -2.5, +2.5, etc., offered for different odds), but 1.5 is the standard line listed for MLB games.
Puck Line (NHL): Hockey uses a similar system called the puck line, and it is also typically set at 1.5 goals. The favored hockey team is -1.5 (must win by 2+ goals), and the underdog is +1.5 (can lose by 1 goal or win outright) to cover. Just like the run line, the puck line gives a modest buffer to even out games in a low-scoring sport. So if the Chicago Blackhawks are -1.5 on the puck line, they need a multi-goal victory to cover, whereas their opponent at +1.5 can play them close and still reward bettors.

In sports like soccer, you’ll encounter point-spread-like bets often called goal lines or handicaps (e.g. Team -0.5, -1, etc.), and in college basketball or other sports, you might just call it the spread. The concept is always the same: one side is giving a certain number of points/runs/goals, the other side is getting that number, to make the bet fair despite differences in team strength.

(Fun fact: In Asia and Europe, you might see something called an Asian Handicap in soccer, which is essentially the same idea as point spread betting, sometimes with quarter-goal increments. It’s all about giving one side a head start.)

Tips for Betting Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting against the spread (ATS) can be both fun and challenging. Here are some tips to keep in mind when wagering on point spreads:

Understand Key Numbers: In football especially, certain margins of victory are more common (3 and 7 points in NFL are classic examples). A spread of 3 or 7 in NFL is significant because games often land on those differences. A half-point move around a key number can be a big deal. Be mindful of these when evaluating a spread – for example, -2.5 vs -3 vs -3.5 in NFL betting can greatly affect the likelihood of covering. In basketball, key numbers are less pronounced, but a half-point is always worth considering if it pushes a line from a tie to a win or vice versa.
Shop for the Best Line: Different sportsbooks might have slightly different spreads and odds for the same game. For instance, one book might have a team at +3.5 while another has +3, or one book might list -7 (-105) and another has -7 (-115). Getting an extra half-point in your favor or a better price on the same spread can improve your chances over the long run. Always compare lines across sportsbooks if you can – this practice is called line shopping, and it’s a smart way to eke out extra value.
Consider the Matchup, Not Just the Number: Don’t bet a team just because “Team A is -10, they’re way better so they’ll cover easily.” Large spreads can be tricky – sometimes a dominant team will ease up late in a game, allowing a backdoor cover by the underdog (where the underdog scores late to sneak within the spread). Always handicap the game yourself: How do the teams match up? Is the favorite motivated to run up the score, or might they play conservatively if they’re ahead? Sometimes underdogs are attractive with the points because they may keep games closer than the public expects.
Watch for Line Movement: Point spreads can move leading up to a game due to factors like injuries, weather, or heavy betting on one side. For example, if a lot of money comes in on the favorite at -6.5, the book might move it to -7 or -7.5 to encourage action on the other side. Pay attention to these moves – they can indicate where the public or sharp bettors are putting money. If you liked a favorite at -6.5 and now it’s -7.5, you lost some value (crossing the key number 7). Timing your bet to grab a good number is part of the strategy. Early in the week, lines might be softer; closer to game day, you’ll have more info (injuries, etc.) but lines will be tighter.
Don’t Chase Big Favorites Blindly: A common mistake for beginners is to assume a highly favored team will not only win but crush the spread. Upsets happen, and more often, favorites win the game but don’t cover the spread. For instance, a top-ranked college team might be a 35-point favorite – they’ll likely win, but they might ease off in the fourth quarter and only win by 28, meaning underdog bettors still cash in. Be cautious with huge spreads. Sometimes the underdog plus the points is the value side, especially if the favorite has little incentive to win by an enormous margin.
Do Your Homework: Just like any bet, research is your friend. Look at team stats, injuries, recent performances, and even historical ATS trends. Some teams consistently perform well against the spread, while others have a habit of underperforming when favored. Also consider home-field advantage: in NFL and college football, home advantage is typically worth a few points in the spread. A team that might be -3 at home could be a pick’em (0) on a neutral field or +3 on the road, roughly speaking. Context like travel, weather, and motivation (e.g. a team needing to win big for playoff impressions) can all factor into whether a team will cover a spread.

Remember that point spread betting usually comes with the standard -110 odds (you wager $110 to win $100) unless otherwise noted. This means you need to win about 52.4% of your spread bets to break even in the long run (due to the vig).

So, managing your bankroll and avoiding bets you’re not confident in is important. Discipline is key – don’t bet on every game, focus on spots where you think the line is off or you have an edge in predicting how the game will go.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better prepared to tackle point spreads and make savvy bets. Betting against the spread adds a layer of strategy beyond just picking winners – but that’s what makes it so popular.

It’s you versus the sportsbook’s number, and now that you know what the point spread is and how it works, you can approach those bets with more confidence and insight.

What Is the Point Spread in Sports Betting?