How to Bet the Point Spread

The point spread is a handicap that evens out a game. The sportsbook sets a margin; the favorite has to win by more than it, and the underdog covers by losing by less or winning outright. It is the most popular bet in football and basketball.

How a spread works

Say the line is Favorite -7, Underdog +7, both at -110.

A spread with a half point, such as -6.5, cannot end in a push: the favorite either wins by 7 or more, or it does not.

Why spreads are priced -110

When the spread splits the game evenly, both sides get the same price, usually -110: risk $110 to win $100. At that price you need to win 52.4% of your spread bets to break even. Read more in how to read betting odds.

Key numbers in football

NFL games end most often with a margin of 3 or 7 points, a field goal or a touchdown. That is why a move from -2.5 to -3, or from -6.5 to -7, matters more than other half points: it changes whether the most common results win, lose or push.

Spreads in other sports

• Baseball: the run line, usually ±1.5 runs.
• Hockey: the puck line, usually ±1.5 goals.
• Soccer: the Asian handicap, which can use half and quarter goals.

Spread or moneyline?

If you think the favorite wins comfortably, the spread usually pays better than its moneyline. If you think the underdog wins outright, its moneyline pays more than taking the points. Spreads also move during the week, so the number you get can matter as much as the side you pick.

Next: over/under betting and combining spreads in a parlay. See this week's lines on the NFL odds page.

Betting at Betcris Arizona

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