What Is the Spread? A Beginner's Guide to Point Spread Betting
The point spread is the most popular way to bet on football and basketball. Learn how it works, why it exists, and how to read it.
01What Is the Point Spread?
The point spread is a handicap that oddsmakers assign to make a game between two unequal teams more even for betting purposes. Instead of simply picking who will win, you are betting on whether a team will win by more than a certain number of points (the favorite) or lose by fewer than that number (the underdog).
For example, if the Chiefs are -7 against the Broncos, Kansas City must win by more than 7 points for a bet on the Chiefs to win. If you bet on the Broncos at +7, Denver can lose by up to 7 points and you still win your bet. If the Chiefs win by exactly 7, it is a push and your money is refunded.
02Why Does the Spread Exist?
Without the spread, everyone would bet on the better team, and sportsbooks would go out of business. The spread creates a 50/50 proposition (roughly) that attracts equal action on both sides.
The sportsbook's goal is not to predict the exact outcome. Their goal is to set a number that gets equal money on both sides, guaranteeing profit from the vig (the commission they charge). When you see a spread move, it usually means more money is coming in on one side.
03How to Read the Spread
The favorite is always listed with a minus sign (-). The underdog is listed with a plus sign (+). The number represents points.
Chiefs -7 means Kansas City is favored by 7 points. Broncos +7 means Denver is getting 7 points.
The standard vig is -110, meaning you bet $110 to win $100. This is how sportsbooks make money. You need to win 52.4% of your bets at -110 just to break even.
04Key Numbers
In football, certain margins of victory are more common than others. The most common is 3 points (a field goal), followed by 7 points (a touchdown). These are called key numbers.
Getting +3.5 instead of +2.5 is valuable because it crosses the key number of 3. If the favorite wins by exactly 3, the underdog bettor with +3.5 wins, while the bettor with +2.5 loses. Always be aware of key numbers when betting spreads.
05Spread Betting Strategy
Successful spread betting is about finding value, not picking winners. A team can win the game but lose against the spread. Focus on whether the spread accurately reflects the likely outcome.
Consider factors like injuries, weather, rest, motivation, and matchup advantages. The best spread bettors look for situations where the market has overreacted or underreacted to news.
Track your results. If you are not winning at least 52.4% against the spread at standard -110 odds, you are losing money long-term.