What Is a Point Spread Bet?
A point spread bet levels the playing field between two unevenly matched teams. The sportsbook assigns a handicap (the spread) to the favorite, requiring them to win by more than that number for the bet to pay off.
For example, if the Lakers are −6.5 against the Hornets, the Lakers must win by 7 or more points for a Lakers spread bet to win. If you bet Hornets +6.5, the Hornets can lose by up to 6 points and your bet still wins.
Spreads are the most popular bet type for NFL and NBA games because they make lopsided matchups more interesting to wager on.
How to Read Spread Odds
A typical spread looks like this: Lakers −6.5 (−110) vs Hornets +6.5 (−110)
The first number (−6.5 or +6.5) is the spread. The second number (−110) is the juice — the price you pay to make the bet.
The favorite gets a negative spread (−6.5). They must win by more than 6.5 points.
The underdog gets a positive spread (+6.5). They can lose by up to 6 points and still "cover."
The half-point (.5) eliminates the possibility of a push (tie). When spreads are whole numbers (e.g., −7), a push is possible, and your stake is returned.
What Does 'Covering the Spread' Mean?
"Covering" means beating the point spread.
Favorite covers: The favorite wins by more than the spread. If the spread is −7, they need to win by 8+.
Underdog covers: The underdog either wins outright or loses by fewer points than the spread. If the spread is +7, losing by 6 or fewer (or winning) covers.
You'll see the term ATS (Against the Spread) in sports analysis — it tracks how often a team covers.
The Juice (Vig) on Spread Bets
Most spread bets are priced at −110 on both sides. This means you wager $110 to win $100. The extra $10 is the sportsbook's commission.
Sometimes you'll see adjusted juice: one side at −105 and the other at −115, or the spread shifts by half a point. These adjustments reflect where the money is flowing. Shopping for better juice across sportsbooks is one of the simplest ways to improve your long-term results.
Spread Betting Strategies
1. Track ATS records, not just win-loss. A team can be 10-2 straight up but only 5-7 ATS. The spread record tells you how they perform relative to expectations.
2. Buy or sell half points carefully. Some books let you buy a half-point (e.g., move −7 to −6.5) for extra juice. This is most valuable around key numbers like 3 and 7 in football.
3. Look for line movement. If a line moves from −3 to −4.5, sharp bettors likely bet the favorite. Understanding line movement helps you spot value.
4. Home-field advantage matters less than you think. The market already prices in home-field. Focus on matchup-specific edges instead.