Point Spread (or simply “the spread”) is arguably the most iconic American sports betting line, especially in football and basketball. Instead of just picking winners, you’re wagering on whether a team can cover a given margin (“spread”). In this guide, we’ll walk through:
- What point spread betting is
- How spreads are set
- How to interpret spread odds and payouts
- Strategies, tips, and pitfalls
- Examples
- FAQs & summary
What Is a Point Spread Bet?
With a point spread bet, a sportsbook handicaps one team by giving (or taking away) points to even the playing field. You bet whether:
- The favored team wins by more than the spread (they cover)
- Or the underdog loses by less than the spread (or wins outright) — in which case the underdog covers
In effect, the spread makes both sides more attractive to bettors, since the bet isn’t just about winning the game but by how much.
For example:
If Team A is –7 vs Team B +7, and you bet on Team A, they must win by more than 7 points for you to win. If they win by exactly 7, that’s a push (tie), and stakes are refunded. If they win by fewer or lose, your bet loses. Betting Team B +7 means they can lose by up to 6 and your bet still wins (or win outright).
Point spreads are most common in:
- NFL, NBA
- College football, college basketball
- Less common (but possible) in other sports
How Do Sportsbooks Set the Spread?
Bookmakers aim to create a spread that equalizes the number of bets on both sides. The process involves:
- Power rankings & metrics — strength of teams
- Home-field advantage — typically a few points edge
- Injuries, roster news
- Public sentiment & bias — famous teams often attract more bets
- Market reaction — lines may shift once betting begins
The ideal is that sportsbooks take balanced money on both sides so they can make profit regardless of outcome (via the vig).
Spread Odds & Payouts
Point spread bets usually carry near-even odds, for example –110 on both sides (i.e. stake $110 to win $100). If one side is much more heavily bet, the sportsbook may adjust the odds slightly (e.g. –105 / –115) to entice more action on the other side.
Push rules:
If your selection lands exactly on the spread, it’s a push (stakes refunded). That’s why many lines use half-point spreads (e.g. –6.5) to avoid pushes.
Strategies, Tips & Pitfalls for Spread Betting
Here are considerations when betting point spreads:
- Home advantage matters
In many sports, the home team is given a “free” point or two in the spread. - Situational betting & mismatches
Look for mismatches in offensive style vs defense, or mismatches in roster depth. - Line movement is meaningful
Early sharp bets may move the spread. Late movement may suggest valuable info (injuries, public money). - Avoid betting large favorites
Very large spreads (e.g. –14, –21) carry more risk, as small mistakes or surprises can flip outcomes. - Injury news & lineup changes
These often have outsized effects on whether a team can cover. - Shop multiple sportsbooks
Different books may offer slightly different spreads (e.g. –7 vs –6.5) or different vig. - Bankroll management
Because spreads are often close to even money, variance is significant; manage your stakes. - Avoid emotional bias
Picking your favourite team to cover is a common trap — stick to data-driven decisions.
Examples of Spread Bets
Example 1 — NFL
Team A is –7 vs Team B.
You bet Team A –7 at –110.
If Team A wins 28–20 → margin = 8 → Overcomes 7 → You win
If Team A wins 22–15 → margin = 7 → Push (refund)
If Team A wins 24–20 → margin = 4 → You lose
If instead you bet Team B +7 and they lose 24–20, your bet wins (they lost by 4, which is less than 7).
Example 2 — NBA
Team X is –5.5 vs Team Y.
You bet Team X –5.5.
Final: Team X wins 105–98 → margin = 7 → You win
Common FAQs
Q: What’s a “cover”?
A: To “cover the spread” means the team has beaten the handicap. If you bet on the favorite, they must win by more than the spread. If you bet the underdog, they must lose by fewer than the spread (or win outright).
Q: What if the margin is exactly the spread?
A: That’s a push — your stake is refunded (unless the sportsbook has special rules).
Q: Can you bet point spreads in-play (live)?
A: Yes — many sportsbooks offer in-game spread betting with dynamically adjusting spreads.
Q: Are there alternate spreads?
A: Yes — some sportsbooks let you pick alternate spreads (e.g. a bigger margin, but with different odds) to alter risk vs reward.
Summary
- Point Spread betting introduces a margin into the wagering process, making both sides more balanced and interesting.
- You bet whether a team will cover the spread, not just win outright.
- Odds usually hover near even, with pushes when margins match exactly.
- The best success comes from matchup analysis, line shopping, and paying attention to movement and news.
- Combined with moneyline and over/under, spread betting completes the core trio of American sports wagers.
👉 Alongside spread betting, check out our guides to Moneyline betting and Over/Under betting.