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Point Spread Betting Guide

By Jack Kitson
Last Updated: Thursday 28th September 2023

Along with moneylines and totals, point spread bets are one of the classic types of wager you can place on US sports. But how do they work? In this comprehensive guide to point spread betting, we’ll reveal all you need to know. 

Once you’re up to speed, why not take a look at what else we have to offer at BettingOdds? You can compare sportsbooks using our rankings and sign up to claim a welcome bonus, or view the latest odds for upcoming events. Let’s get stuck in!

What is a Point Spread Bet?

If you’ve placed a moneyline bet before, you’ll understand the simple concept of backing the team you think will win the game. But point spread goes a step further — it’s not just the outcome that matters, but the final score too.

To better explain things, let’s look at an example in the NBA. Say the Pistons are set to play the Heat. You might see the following odds at a bookmaker:

  • Detroit Pistons +10.5, -110
  • Miami Heat -10.5, -110

The most important number here is 10.5 — this is the point spread. As you can see, the odds are the same for both teams, so how do you work out who’s the favorite? That’s the team with the negative spread, in this case the Heat. The positive spread indicates the underdog. 

If you back the favorite, they need to win the match by more than the point spread. For a bet on the underdog to win, they must win the match outright or simply lose by less than the point spread.

When the Pistons played the Heat in April 2023, the final score was Pistons 105, Heat 118. In that case, a bet on the Heat would succeed as they won by 13 points and covered the spread. But what if the final score was 110–118 instead? That difference of just 8 points is less than the spread, so a bet on the Heat would lose and a bet on the Pistons would win, despite them losing the match. That’s pretty much all there is to it! 

Point spread betting markets are most popular in contests like the NBA and the NFL, but are also offered on the MLB and the NHL. In the case of the latter, point spread is usually referred to as the puck line and is usually set at 1.5, but it works in exactly the same way, meaning the favorite needs to win by two goals or the underdog lose by less than two. 

One final note — if you’re betting on a whole number point spread, there’s a chance the result lands on the exact number. In that instance, it’s called a push or tie. Most sportsbooks will refund your stake in this case, but check the T&Cs before you bet as some will count it as a loss. 

The Pros and Cons of Point Spread Betting

Betting on point spread is a popular choice at US sportsbooks, but is it right for you? Here’s a quick look at the benefits and drawbacks of this wager type to help you decide.

Pros and Cons of Point Spread Betting

Positives
  • Balanced Odds – Unlike moneyline betting, point spread evens up the odds for each team. The favorite and the underdog are both viable options, even if there’s a significant mismatch in skill or ability.
  • Variety of Sports – Point spread markets are available on the biggest US sports, including basketball, hockey, football, and baseball. Some bookmakers offer point spread betting on other sports like soccer too.
  • Betting Strategy – Successful point spread betting often involves analyzing team performance and form, statistics, injuries, weather conditions, and other factors. If you like to crunch the numbers or develop your own betting strategy, point spread can be a good option.
  • Lower Vig – Bookmakers typically charge lower vig on point spread betting compared to markets like props.
  • Entertainment Value – Betting on the point spread can be more entertaining than simple moneyline bets, particularly in mismatched games, as the most likely outcome of the wager is less clear cut.
Negatives
  • Limited Returns – Odds for point spread betting are typically set at -110 for both the favorite and underdog. Some bettors may not view the potential returns as good value for money when considering the stake and risk.
  • Requires More Research – If you want the best chance of winning a bet on the spread, you’ll need to put in plenty of research beforehand.
  • Potential for Losses – As with any type of gambling, there’s always the risk you’ll lose money. Even if your chosen team covered the spread in their previous games, there’s a chance they could fail to do so next time. There are no guarantees in sports betting — always be sure to gamble responsibly and bet within your means!

How to Make a Point Spread Bet

If you’re ready to try a point spread bet for yourself, it’s easy to get started. Here are the steps — we’ve used FanDuel as an example.

Time Needed: 2 Minutes
Tools Needed: Laptop or Mobile
1
Sign Up or Log In
You’ll need a sportsbook account before you can bet on the spread. You can use our recommendations and rankings to compare offers and find the perfect site. Then, just click through to sign up and make a deposit.
2
Select Your Sport
Navigate to the sport you want to bet on. Spread betting is typically available on American sports, but you can take a look around the site to see what else is available. On FanDuel, the sports are listed on the left of the page.
3
Select a Game
You’ll see upcoming matches listed. For American sports, moneyline, point total, and spread are usually shown by default. Pick your match and the team you want to back, and click the odds in the spread column.
4
Enter Your Stake
The selection will be added to your betslip, which should pop up somewhere on the page. On FanDuel, it’s on the right-hand side. Enter the amount you want to bet — you’ll be shown the potential returns as well. Then, just confirm the bet and you’re done!

You can check up on all your current and previous bets from your account summary. On FanDuel, this is the ‘My Bets’ page. This is also where you’ll need to go if you want to cash out early. Otherwise, all that’s left to do is cross your fingers and hope your team pulls through!

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How are Point Spread Odds Calculated?

Behind the scenes, each sportsbook has a team of experts pricing the markets on each event. They take into account factors like player and team form, recent injuries, home field advantage, and even weather conditions to establish the likelihood of each team winning — along with their margin of success. 

Of course, part of their job is also to ‘balance the books’ and ensure the sportsbook makes money. That means the odds will fluctuate in accordance to how many people are betting on each outcome. 

If you’re looking for the best value, it sometimes pays to get your bets in early. One team might initially be given long odds, but their opponent’s star player suddenly injures themself in the preceding game. Suddenly, it’s looking a whole lot more likely they’ll keep the match close or even win. 

Developing a successful betting strategy is all about consideration of the many things that can influence the outcome of the game. If you want the best chances of an accurate pick, it’s wise to follow the league closely and stay up to date with recent developments. 

Point Spread Betting Terminology 

Whether you’re new to betting the spread or even sports betting entirely, there are a number of terms you might encounter along the way. Here’s a quick runthrough to familiarize yourself with some important definitions. 

  • Cover – When the favorite ‘covers’ the spread, this is when they’ve scored enough points for your spread bet to win. For example, in a Dolphins vs Patriots game ending 24–17, Dolphins won by 7 points and ‘covered’ the spread of -2. 
  • Favorite – Plain and simple, the favorite is the team the sportsbook deems most likely to win the game. In spread betting, the favorite must cover the spread for your bet to succeed.
  • Handicap – In sports, a handicap is an assigned advantage based on the odds of each team winning. It’s essentially synonymous with the spread, and is used to even up the markets. 
  • Pick ‘em – A pick ’em is a game where the odds of each team winning are roughly even and there’s zero spread, so all you have to do is pick the team you think will win. 
  • Pick – This is usually shorthand for pick ‘em. A pick can also refer to a betting recommendation or strategy, often provided by professional tipsters. 
  • Push – A push is effectively a tie and occurs when the score difference lands exactly on the spread. Most sportsbooks cancel your bet and refund the stake when this occurs, but some may class it as a loss. It can be avoided by betting only on half-point spreads. 
  • Puck line – This is simply another term for the point spread, but it applies specifically to hockey. 
  • Underdog – The underdog is the team deemed less likely to win. A spread bet on the underdog wins if the team wins the game outright or loses by less than the spread.
  • Vig – Also known as juice or edge, vig is a small charge that the bookmaker uses to make money. It’s included in the odds and is typically around 3–4%.

Compare Sportsbooks, Sign Up, and Bet the Spread 

So, that’s all there is to it. If you’ve made it this far, you’re armed with the knowledge to go and bet on the point spread for yourself. 

Of course, you’ll need a sportsbook account to do so — and our experts have selected the best sites for US bettors to make your search easy. Simply browse our recommendations and click through when you find one you like. Then, just sign up and make your first deposit to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ‘betting the spread’?

Betting the spread is where you’re betting on a team in a sporting event, but unlike a standard moneyline, the final score also matters. When backing the favorite, they need to ‘cover the spread’ and win by a certain number of points. If you’re betting on the underdog, they need to win the game outright or lose by less than the point spread for your bet to be successful. 

What does ‘pick’ or ‘pick ‘em’ mean in point spread betting?

In point spread betting, a pick ‘em is a game where there’s no favorite — the odds of each team winning are equal and there’s no point spread (the spread is zero). All you have to do is pick the team you think will win, hence the name.

What is the ‘vig’?

Vig or juice is the bookmaker’s fee for taking your bet. The amount is usually around 3–4%. Considering the vig can be important as the payout for a bet won’t necessarily reflect the true probability of a given outcome. You can work out the vig by calculating the implied probabilities of each outcome, adding them together, and subtracting 100%. 

Can I cash out a point spread bet?

Yes, you can usually cash out a point spread bet. This will be indicated on the betslip when you place your wager, and can be done from your bet summary within your sportsbook account. 

Can I bet the spread on any sport?

Typically, spread betting is available on American sports and leagues such as the NBA, the NFL, the MLB, and the NHL. You might find spread betting markets on other sports, but it’s both less common and less popular. 

The people behind this page

The BettingOdds.com's online gambling content experts who helped write, edit and check this page:
Jack Kitson
Jack Kitson is the Editor of Betting Odds and The Sack Race. He is an NCTJ-qualified sports journalist who has accumulated over 10 years of experience in the sports betting industry. His work on The Sack Race was honoured by a panel of experts at the Football Blogging Awards where it was named the Best Gambling Football Blog. Jack created the popular YouTube series ‘In The Managers Office’ featuring exclusives with Chris Wilder and Ian Holloway, while his work has been referenced within numerous publications such as The Guardian, BBC Sport, The New York Times, and Washington Post.
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