What are Spread Bets in Sports Betting?

Spread betting is one of the most common and widely used forms of sports wagering, especially in high-scoring sports like football and basketball. It levels the playing field between two teams, giving bettors the opportunity to wager on not just who wins, but by how much. In this guide, you'll learn what a spread bet is, how it works, how to read spread lines, and strategies to make smarter bets.

📊 What Is a Spread Bet?

A spread bet involves betting on the margin of victory in a game. Instead of simply picking the winner, you're wagering on whether a team will win by more (or lose by fewer) points than a specific number set by the oddsmakers—known as the point spread.

• Favorite: The team expected to win. They must win by more than the point spread for your bet to cash.
• Underdog: The team expected to lose. They must either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread to "cover."

Example:

• Team A (-6.5)
• Team B (+6.5)

If you bet on Team A, they must win by 7 or more points. If you bet on Team B, they must lose by 6 points or less or win the game.

🔢 How to Read Point Spreads

Understanding how to read point spreads is key in sports betting.

For example, if the Patriots are listed at -3.5, they must win by 4 or more points to cover the spread. On the other hand, if the Jets are at +3.5, they need to either win outright or lose by 3 points or fewer for the bet to hit.

When a team meets these requirements, it’s referred to as “covering the spread.” If the spread is a whole number, such as -7, and the favorite wins by exactly 7 points, the result is called a “push”, which means the game is a tie from a betting perspective, and your original stake is refunded.

• "Covering the spread" means your selected team has met the spread requirements.
• "Push" means if the spread is a whole number (e.g., -7) and the favorite wins by exactly 7, it's a tie and your stake is refunded.

📝 Why Use Point Spreads?

• Balances the odds: Makes mismatched games more bettable
• Equalizes payout potential: Typically -110 on both sides
• Creates more betting opportunities: Especially useful when one team is a heavy favorite

🧠 Strategies for Spread Betting

1. Understand Key Numbers In football, numbers like 3, 7, and 10 are common margins of victory. Odds may shift around these numbers because they're statistically more likely.
2. Shop the Lines Different sportsbooks may offer slightly different spreads. Finding a half-point difference could be the key between winning and losing your bet.
3. Track Line Movement Betting lines shift due to injury reports, betting volume, and weather. Watching how the line moves can give insight into how the public and sharps are betting.
4. Don’t Blindly Bet the Favorite Just because a team is favored doesn’t mean they’ll cover the spread. Consider historical performance against the spread (ATS).

🏟️ Spread Betting Across Sports

• NFL & NCAA Football: Most common use of point spreads.
• NBA: Also popular, but be mindful of late-game variability.
• MLB & NHL: Less common, but alternatives like run lines and puck lines work similarly.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Misunderstanding the spread line (e.g., thinking a -6.5 team only needs to win)
• Not factoring in key injuries or matchups
• Ignoring weather or home/away stats

Sports Betting Example

Let's say there's an basketball game between Team Blue and Team Orange, and the oddsmakers set the following spread:

Team Blue (-5) vs. Team Orange (+5)

If you bet on Team Blue:

• Team Blue must win by 6 or more points for your bet to be successful.

If you bet on Team Orange:

• Team Orange must win the game outright or lose by 4 points or less for your bet to win.

Outcome:

• If Team Blue wins by exactly 5 points, it's called a "push," and all bets are refunded.
• If Team Blue wins by 6 or more points, bets on Team Blue are winners, and bets on Team Orange are losers.
• If Team Orange wins the game outright or loses by 4 points or less, bets on Team Orange are winners, and bets on Team Blue are losers.

Spread betting allows bettors to take a position on both the favorite and the underdog, and it adds an extra layer of excitement to the game as the margin of victory becomes crucial. However, keep in mind that spread betting can be more challenging to predict accurately, and it's essential to understand the risks involved before placing spread bets.

🎯 Mastering the Art of Spread Betting

Spread betting adds depth and strategy to the betting experience by challenging you to predict margins, not just winners. Once you understand how spreads work and how to read the numbers, you’ll unlock a more dynamic way to engage with your favorite sports. With the right research and bankroll discipline, betting the spread can be both strategic and rewarding.

🔗 Related Guides

• Favorites & Underdogs
• Odds in Sports Betting
• Moneyline Bets
• Over/Under Totals Bets
• Parlay Bets
• Same Game Parlays