Point Spread Betting Guide

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.

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!

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.

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