What Does the Spread Mean in Betting? Point Spreads Explained

The spread, or point spread, is the number of points the favorite has to win by for a bet on them to pay. If the Chiefs are -3.5, they must win by 4 or more. The underdog gets the same number in its favor: at +3.5, a bet on them wins if they win the game outright or lose by 3 or fewer. The spread evens out a lopsided matchup so both sides are worth betting.

It's the most popular bet in football and basketball, and once the minus and plus click, it's simple. Here's how to read a spread, what covering means, what happens when a game lands right on the number, and how spreads work in other sports.

How point spreads work

Without a spread, betting on a big favorite isn't much of a bet. Everyone expects them to win. So the sportsbook gives the underdog a head start in points. Instead of betting on who wins, you're betting on the final margin of victory compared with the spread.

• Favorite (minus number): must win by more than the spread. Their score minus the spread has to beat the other team's score.
• Underdog (plus number): can lose by less than the spread, or win outright. Their score plus the spread has to beat the other team's score.

Both sides of a spread bet usually carry the same price, around -110, because the spread is set to make each side close to a 50/50 call. At -110 you bet $110 to win $100; our guide to what -110 means explains that price and the sportsbook's cut in it.

Covering the spread: a worked example

Take an NFL game with the Eagles -6.5 and the Giants +6.5. Here's how three possible final scores grade:

A team that wins its spread bet has "covered the spread." In the second game the Eagles won the game but didn't cover, so Giants bettors won even though their team lost. That's the part that surprises new bettors most.

What happens when the game lands on the spread

Spreads come in whole numbers too, like -3 or +7. If the favorite wins by exactly that number, nobody wins the bet. It's a push, and every bet on that spread gets its stake back.

That's why you'll see so many half-point spreads like -3.5 or +7.5. The half point means the game can't land exactly on the number, so there's always a winner. In the NFL, 3 and 7 are the most common winning margins because of field goals and touchdowns, so a half point on either side of those numbers matters a lot.

Spreads in different sports

• Football: NFL spreads often sit around 3 or 7 points. College football spreads can run much higher, sometimes 30 points or more when a top team plays a much weaker one.
• Basketball: NBA and college basketball spreads move in half points and often land between 1 and 12. Scoring is high, so small spreads are common.
• Baseball: the spread is called the run line and is almost always 1.5 runs. The favorite at -1.5 must win by 2 or more, and the price changes instead of the number.
• Hockey: the puck line works the same way, usually 1.5 goals.

Spread vs moneyline

A moneyline bet is just on who wins, with no points involved. The favorite costs more and the underdog pays more. The spread keeps the price near -110 on both sides and moves the points instead. With the Eagles -6.5 at -110, a moneyline on the same game might be Eagles -280 and Giants +230.

If you think an underdog keeps it close but probably loses, the spread is the better bet. If you think they win outright, the moneyline pays more. Many sportsbooks, ours included, let you put a spread and a total from the same game into one parlay.

Why point spreads can change

The opening spread is the sportsbook's first estimate. After that it moves with injury news, weather and where the money goes. If a starting quarterback is ruled out, a 7-point spread can drop to 3. If most of the betting action lands on one side, the book may move the number by a half point to even it out.

Your bet keeps the spread you took, so timing matters. Taking -6.5 before it moves to -7.5 gives you a better number. On Paid2Bet every game shows how its line has moved since it opened, so you can see whether you're getting a better or worse number than early bettors.

How to place a spread bet

1. Open the sport on the Bet page and find the game.
2. Tap the spread for the team you want, like -6.5 or +6.5. The price, usually -110, is shown with it.
3. Type your stake. The bet slip shows what you'll win before you place it.

On Paid2Bet you can bet spreads with a free balance, so it's an easy way to learn how covering works without risking anything. Full Access members can also buy half points on football and basketball spreads, moving a line in their favor in exchange for a slightly worse price.

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