What is the Spread in Sports Betting?
The spread in sports betting is a pivotal concept that levels the playing field between two teams, allowing bettors to wager on either side of a contest with equal enthusiasm. Unlike fixed odds betting, where you bet on a team to win outright, spread betting focuses on the margin of victory, making it a favorite in major sports like the NFL and NBA.
How Point Spreads Work
A point spread is a handicap applied to one team to create balance. For example, if six points favor a team, they must cover the spread by winning by six or more for the bet to win. Conversely, if their opponent loses by fewer than six, that team “covers the spread.” This betting method ensures that games featuring evenly matched or mismatched teams remain competitive in the eyes of sports bettors.
The spread is often presented with a half point (e.g., 6.5) to eliminate the possibility of a tie, known as a “push.” In such cases, no bettor wins or loses their initial stake, and betting lines adjust to reflect the competitive nature of the match.
Examples of Point Spread Betting
Consider an NFL game where the Chiefs face Team B, with a point spread of 4.5.
- If the Chiefs win by five points, they cover the spread and win the spread odds.
- If Team B loses by one or two points, they cover the spread, rewarding those who bet on the underdog.
This principle applies across other sports, including college football, basketball, and even baseball, where spreads are referred to as the run line or puck line in hockey.
Why Sports Bettors Love the Spread
Sports spread betting offers more flexibility than fixed odds betting because it focuses on performance rather than just who will win outright. For instance, betting on a football match with a moneyline bet may seem straightforward, but incorporating the spread introduces layers of strategy. This attracts both casual and seasoned bettors, making sports spread betting one of the most active sports betting markets.
Key Factors in Point Spread Betting
Several elements influence how point spreads work, including:
- Home-field advantage – Teams often perform better at home.
- Injuries – A starting quarterback’s absence can shift the spread dramatically.
- Public perception – Popular teams like the Kansas City Chiefs often have inflated spreads.
These variables lead to different odds across most sportsbooks, emphasizing the importance of shopping for the best odds.
Advantages and Risks of Spread Betting
Spread betting is attractive because it allows for wagers on both the underdog and the favorite, offering fair opportunities for all. However, misjudging the final score or margin of victory can lead to losing money. For new bettors, understanding how a team covers or fails is essential to making informed bets.
What Is a Spread Bet Example?
A spread bet is a type of betting where you wager on the point spread, which is the margin by which a team is expected to win or lose. Unlike a straight bet on which team will win outright or lose, a spread bet considers the final score difference, making the game more balanced for bettors.
What Does a +7 Spread Mean?
In sports betting, a +7 spread betting means that the underdog team is given a handicap of seven points. This means that the underdog can lose by up to seven points and still cover the spread or win outright for the bet to succeed. On the other hand, if the favored team wins by more than seven points, bettors on the favorite win the wager.
A +7 point spread is a common scenario in games where one team is expected to have a slight disadvantage. In this case:
- Underdog (+7): If you bet on the underdog, they can:
- Lose the game by up to seven points (e.g., 24–17).
- Win the game outright, beating the favorite.
- Favorite (-7): For the favorite to cover the spread, they must win by more than seven points (e.g., 28–20). If they win by exactly seven points, the bet results in a “push,” and your original wager is refunded.
What Does +1.5 Spread Mean?
In spread betting, a +1.5 spread means the underdog team is given an additional 1.5 points before the game begins. For a point spread bet on the underdog to win, that team must either win the game outright or lose by no more than one point. If the favorite has a -1.5 spread, they must win by at least two points to cover the spread.
How a +1.5 Spread Works
- Underdog (+1.5):
If you bet on the team with the +1.5 spread, your bet wins if:- They win the game outright.
- They lose by just one point.
- Favorite (-1.5):
For the favorite to cover a -1.5 spread, they must win by a margin of victory of at least two points.
Example of a +1.5 Spread
Let’s consider an NBA game between two teams:
- Team C (-1.5): The favorite.
- Team D (+1.5): The underdog.
- If the final score is 101-100 in favor of Team C, a bet on Team D (+1.5) wins because Team D’s adjusted score becomes 101.5-101 after applying the spread.
- If Team A wins by two points or more (e.g., 102-100), a bet on Team A (-1.5) wins because they have successfully covered the spread.
Why Use a +1.5 Spread?
In close matchups where the teams are nearly evenly matched, sportsbooks often set smaller spreads like +1.5. This spread levels the playing field between the two teams, making the outcome less about which team wins outright and more about the final margin of victory.
The above example demonstrates how even a small spread can dramatically affect the outcome of a point spread bet. Understanding spreads like +1.5 helps bettors navigate the complexities of sports betting while increasing their chances of making informed wagers.
What Does Minus 3 Spread Mean?
In spread betting, a -3 spread indicates that the favored team must win by three points or more for the bet to win. If the favored team wins by exactly three points, the bet is considered a “push,” and the bettor receives the same amount wagered back. If the favored team wins by fewer than three points, loses outright, or the game ends in a tie, the bet loses.
Breaking Down the -3 Spread
- Favorite (-3):
For a bet on the favored team to succeed, the team must win by four or more points. A win by three points results in a push. - Underdog (+3):
If you bet on the underdog, the bet wins if:- The underdog wins the game outright, or
- They lose by fewer than three points.
Example of a -3 Spread
Imagine a basketball game where Team A is favored at -3, and Team B is the underdog at +3.
- If Team A wins by four points or more (e.g., 78-74), bets on Team A cover the spread and win.
- If Team A wins by exactly three points (e.g., 75-72), the bet pushes, and bettors receive their initial stake back.
- If Team B loses by two points (e.g., 75-73) or wins the game outright, bets on Team B win.
Why Choose a -3 Spread Over a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet simply requires picking the winner but spreads like -3 often offer better payouts for favorites. For example, betting on the run line or puck line in other sports works similarly, rewarding bettors who correctly predict both the winner and the margin of victory. This makes point spreads an integral part of sports events betting, encouraging more bets on both sides of the contest.
A -3 spread is a staple of point spread betting, offering a balance between the favorite and the underdog. Unlike a moneyline bet, the focus here isn’t just on who will win but on the margin of victory. Understanding spreads like -3 allows bettors to make informed decisions, whether wagering on college basketball, the puck line, or other sports markets.
Common Terms in Spread Betting
- Betting market: The platform where bets are placed, covering a variety of outcomes.
- Final margin: The point difference that determines whether the spread bet is successful.
- Win or lose: Outcomes tied to whether a team wins by enough points or narrowly avoids a loss.
How to Get Started
New to spread betting? Start small and focus on one sport, such as the NFL or NBA, to understand how spreads shift. Familiarize yourself with terms like NFL point spread, NBA point spread, and sports spread betting. Always research the implied probability of your bet and monitor breaking news for updates on injuries or trades that can impact the playing field.
Closing Thoughts
Whether betting on an NFL game, a college football clash, or a cricket match, mastering the spread can elevate your experience in sports betting. By understanding how spreads work and tracking the betting odds, you can make smarter wagers and enjoy the thrill of predicting not just who will win the game outright but by how much.
Hristo (Christo to his friends) is a seasoned iGaming professional with 18 years experience building iGaming & Fintech products – Casino, Sportbook, Poker, Bingo, Social gaming and Fintech products gathered throughout his career in PokerStars, Winner.com, Playtech, Reflex Gaming. Strong knowledge and expertise in Marketing, Operations, Strategy building and business relationship management.
