What is Spread Betting?

How Spread Betting Works?

Not every matchup features evenly matched teams. To balance this, US sportsbooks use a point spread. This spread adjusts the score for betting purposes, making wagers competitive even when one team is clearly stronger.

What Does the Point Spread Mean?

The point spread adjusts the score to level the playing field between teams. It makes betting on either side more appealing and keeps the action balanced. Think of it as an adjustment used to level the field between two opponents of varying skill levels. 

When you look at a betting board, the spread is the primary number listed next to a team. For example, if the spread is Patriots -6.5 vs. Jets +6.5, a Patriots bet wins only if New England beats the Jets by 7 or more points. A Jets bet wins if New York loses by 6 or fewer points or wins outright.

The number assigned to the spread applies to both sides equally but in opposite directions. The minus sign (-) indicates the favorite, who must “lay” or give those points away. The plus sign (+) indicates the underdog, who “takes” those points. If the line is 6 points, the favorite starts at a theoretical -6 while the underdog starts at +6, ensuring that the sportsbook has a balanced way to present the contest.

Favorites vs. Underdogs Against the Spread

When you back a favorite, you are essentially saying that the better team will perform well enough to overcome their points adjustment. In the betting world, this is known as “giving points.”  If the favorite wins the game but only by a small margin, they have failed to cover the spread, and those who bet on them will lose.

On the other side, the underdog is "receiving points.” A common misconception is that the team you bet on must win the game for you to collect. In reality, an underdog can lose the game on the field and still be a winner on your betslip, provided the loss is smaller than the spread. 

How Sportsbooks Set Point Spreads

Point spreads are set using both statistics and knowledge of betting behavior. Oddsmakers assign each team a “power rating” reflecting their overall strength. The difference between the two teams’ ratings forms the initial spread, which is then adjusted based on expected betting patterns and other factors.

Injuries, Form, and Matchups 

Several variables can cause a spread to move before the game starts. Injuries to key players, such as a starting quarterback or a primary scorer, may lead to wider or narrower adjustments because they directly affect expected performance. Team form also matters, as well as things like recent travel schedules or a team playing its third game in four nights, which can lead to a spread being adjusted to reflect potential fatigue.

Public Betting vs. Professional Money

Sportsbooks also keep a close eye on the types of wagers coming in. Public betting refers to the volume of wagers placed by the general audience, and “sharp money” is a term used for bets placed by experienced or data-driven participants. Both sides are monitored because heavy activity on one side can increase risk. When betting patterns become uneven, lines may be adjusted to encourage balance.

Line Movement 

You might notice a spread change from -3 on a Tuesday to -4 by Sunday. This is known as line movement. It occurs as the market reacts to new information, such as late-breaking weather reports or a sudden influx of betting volume. 

How to Win a Point Spread Bet

To win a spread bet, your selected team must perform better than the threshold assigned to them. It isn’t enough for your team to simply win the game; they have to win by a specific amount. On the flip side, an underdog doesn't necessarily have to win the game at all. They just need to keep the final score closer than the oddsmakers expected.

Winning With the Favorite & the Underdog

When you place your money on the favorite, you are looking for a dominant performance. Because favorites are denoted with a minus sign, they must “cover” that number. 

Consider an NFL game where the Dallas Cowboys are -6.5 against the New York Giants.

• If you bet on Dallas, they must win the game by 7 points or more. A 24-17 win is a victory for you, whereas a 24-20 win means you lose your bet, even though the Cowboys won the game.

Underdogs provide two different ways to win. First, if the underdog pulls off an upset and wins the game straight up, your spread bet is an automatic winner. Second, if they lose a close game, you still win.

• If you bet on New York, they win if they win the game outright OR if they lose by 6 points or fewer. A 24-20 loss for the Giants would result in a winning bet for you

How to Read Point Spread Odds

When you look at a digital sportsbook, the point spread is usually accompanied by a second, smaller number. This number represents the “odds” or the “juice” you have to pay to place the bet. While the spread tells you what needs to happen on the field, these odds tell you how much you need to wager to win a certain amount of profit.

In the United States, these odds are almost always shown in a three-digit format. A typical spread bet will look like this: -7 (-110). The -7 is the point spread, and the -110 is the price of the bet. These numbers are typically built around a standard $100 profit target.

Why Most Spread Bets Are –110?

The most common price for a spread bet is -110. This means you must wager $110 to win $100 in profit. The extra $10 is the commission the sportsbook takes for facilitating the bet. 

Pushes and Half-Point Spreads A “push” happens when the final score lands exactly on the spread, bets are tied, and your stake is usually refunded. To avoid pushes, sportsbooks add a half-point (a “hook”), e.g., -3.5, which guarantees one side wins or loses because you can’t score half points.

How to Bet on the Point Spread

Getting started with spread betting is a straightforward process once you have selected a sportsbook. Most platforms follow a very similar layout. These simple steps will guide you through the entire process: 

• Create or Log In to Your Account: Ensure you have an active account with a licensed sportsbook and that you have deposited funds.

• Navigate to Your Sport: Use the menu to find the league you are interested in, such as the NFL or NBA.

• Locate the Spread Column: On the game listing, you will see three main columns: Spread, Total, and Moneyline. Focus on the Spread section.

• Select Your Team: Click on the spread for the team you want to back. This will automatically add the selection to your digital betslip.

• Enter Your Wager: Type in the amount you wish to bet. The slip will show you exactly how much you stand to win based on the current odds.

• Confirm Your Bet: Double-check the numbers one last time and click the “Place Bet” button to finalize your wager.

Examples of Point Spreads Across U.S. Sports

Point spreads look different depending on the sport, scoring patterns, and game flow. From high-scoring leagues to low-scoring matchups, each sport handles spreads in its own way. Review the examples below to see how they work in practice:

NFL Point Spread Example

If the Eagles are -3 vs. the Commanders, they’re expected to win by a field goal. A 23–20 final is a push; neither side wins.

NBA Point Spread Example

If the Celtics are -11.5 vs. the Pistons, they must win by 12+ to cover. Late scoring can easily flip a cover into a miss.

NHL Point Spread Example

The puck line is usually -1.5. If the Rangers are -1.5, they must win by two goals. Empty-net situations often decide these bets in the final moments.

College Football Point Spread Example

College lines can be huge because of talent gaps. If Alabama is -31.5, they must win by 32 points for bets on them to pay.

MLB Point Spread Example

Baseball uses the run line, usually set at -1.5. If the Dodgers are -1.5, they must win by two or more runs. Extra innings and bullpen usage often play a key role in these outcomes.

Soccer Point Spread Example

Soccer spreads are often listed as goal lines, such as -0.5 or -1. If a team is -1, they must win by at least two goals to cover. One late goal can completely change the result of a spread bet.

Key Numbers in Spread Betting

Not all numbers on a betting board matter equally. In many sports, games often finish with the same margins. Knowing these key numbers helps you spot better value and understand when a small line move can make a big difference:

Why 3 and 7 Matter in the NFL

In the NFL, many games are decided by three or seven points because of how scoring works. Field goals are worth three, and touchdowns with an extra point are worth seven. When a spread moves from -2.5 to -3.5, it crosses a key number. A three-point win covers -2.5 but only pushes at -3, making the lower number far more valuable.

Do Key Numbers Matter in Other Sports?

Key numbers exist in other sports, but they matter less. In the NBA, common margins include 5, 7, and 8, though frequent scoring reduces their impact. In baseball and hockey, the most important number is 1, since many games are decided by a single run or goal.

Spread Betting Strategies

Successful spread betting is about judging the spread itself, not just picking the better team. The goal is to decide whether the number set by oddsmakers is fair. Focus on careful evaluation rather than predicting results:

NFL Spread Betting Strategies

One common NFL approach is backing home underdogs. Oddsmakers usually give home teams about a three-point advantage. When a capable team is getting points at home, the spread may be overestimating the road favorite and underestimating how hard it is to win away.

NBA Spread Betting Strategies

In the NBA, scheduling matters, which is why backing underdogs against tired favorites is often profitable. Teams playing back-to-back games or on tight travel schedules tend to slow down late, even if they win. When a favorite is laying a large number on short rest, the spread often overstates their ability to separate, creating value on the points..

NHL Spread Betting Strategies

For puck line bets (-1.5), prioritize teams with strong defense. Since a two-goal win is required, empty-net goals matter. Teams that protect leads well are more likely to score an insurance goal late.

College Sports Spread Betting Tips

In college sports, motivation and momentum can heavily affect scoring margins. Teams coming off big wins or emotional games may perform unpredictably, while underdogs vary widely in competitiveness. Tracking these factors helps you judge whether a spread offers value.

Understanding Puck Line and Run Line Bets

While football and basketball use the term point spread, baseball and hockey use different names for the same idea. In all cases, you are betting on the margin of victory rather than just the winner. These bets are meant to balance games where one team is clearly stronger.

What Is the Run Line in Baseball?

In MLB, the spread is called the run line and is usually set at 1.5 runs. A favorite at -1.5 must win by at least two runs. An underdog at +1.5 wins if they win the game or lose by just one run. The run line only affects betting outcomes, not the actual score.

What Is the Puck Line in Hockey?

In hockey, the spread is called the puck line and is also usually set at 1.5 goals. A team at -1.5 must win by two or more goals to cover. Puck lines are popular because betting on a strong favorite to simply win often offers low returns.

How They Compare to Point Spreads

Point spreads in football and basketball can change from game to game, while run lines and puck lines usually stay fixed at 1.5. Instead of changing the number, sportsbooks adjust the odds to reflect how likely a team is to cover.

Pros and Cons of Spread Betting

Every betting style has its advantages and its challenges. Spread betting requires a different level of analysis than simply picking a winner.

Pros • Creates balance in uneven matchups by making heavily favored games more competitive to bet on. • Offers better value than moneyline bets, especially when backing strong favorites.

Cons • Winning the game is not enough; the team must also cover the spread. • Late-game scores, penalties, or garbage-time points can flip a winning bet into a loss.