Point spread betting is one of the most popular betting types among new and experienced bettors. Also simply referred to as spread betting, it’s a form of handicapping that levels the playing field between two teams. Our point spread betting guide aims to demystify point spreads and help newer sports bettors understand how to bet on them. You’ll quickly be ready to bet with the pros at our top online sportsbooks with my breakdown. Introduction to point spread betting The easiest way to ease new users into point spread betting is to use practical, real-life scenarios. For example, if the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Utah Jazz, the Thunder would be heavily favored on the moneyline (outright betting) because they are the superior team. However, point spread betting introduces a way for bettors to get close to even odds on a team’s win or loss by a specified amount. That leads into the basics you need to know to win. What is point spread betting? So, what is point spread betting at the most fundamental level? Point spread betting is a type of handicapping that makes uneven games, such as our Thunder vs. Jazz example discussed above, more balanced for the purposes of betting. The basics of point spreads explained A “favorite,” such as the Thunder, will “give points,” meaning they must win by a specified amount to win the bet. Conversely, an underdog team, such as the Jazz, will receive (“get”) points, meaning they have to either win the game or lose by less than a specified number of points, for a wager on them to hit. Key terms to know A few key terms to know regarding point spread betting are “spread,” “favorite,” “underdog,” “cover,” “push,” and “stake.” The “spread” represents the number of points a team is expected to win or lose by. For instance, if the game between Oklahoma City and Utah had a seven-point spread in favor of the Thunder, oddsmakers believe Oklahoma City will win by seven points. In that case, Oklahoma City would be the “favorite” since it would have to win by eight or more points to “cover” the spread, while Utah, the “underdog,” could either win or lose by six or fewer points to “cover” the spread. A “push” happens when a spread is at a whole number, such as seven points, and the game ends with the score differential being that number. If the Thunder were favored by seven points against Utah, and the game ended with Oklahoma City winning by seven points, it would be a push. In that event, bettors would get their “stake” (whatever amount was initially wagered) back since the bet was not won or lost. How does point spread betting work? Reading the spread Let’s use our Thunder versus Jazz example above to simplify how to read point spreads. In the example listed above, the Thunder would be a seven-point favorite, so that would show as -7. If a team is a favorite, they will have a minus sign next to the assigned point spread. Conversely, the Jazz, who are seven-point underdogs, would have a plus sign next to the assigned point total. Here is an example of what that would look like on a sportsbook like BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel: Oklahoma City Thunder -7 (-110)Utah Jazz +7 (-110) Placing a point spread bet Now that you know the basics of point spread betting, including key terms and how to read the spread, it is time to place a bet. Here is a step-by-step guide: Choose a sportsbook to create an account with. Find a list of the online sportsbooks available in your state and then register for an account.Scroll through the sportsbook’s selection of games you can bet on and then choose one.Bet on the point spread by identifying whether you believe a favorite will win by at least the specified spread number, if the underdog will win or lose by a specified number or less. Remember that when you see a sportsbook offer a bet with -110 odds (bet $110 to win $100), that is standard and represents an even line. The sportsbook needs to add some juice (or vig) to its betting lines so it can make money for offering the betting action. Winning or losing a spread bet A spread bet has three potential outcomes: win, lose, or push. “Covering the spread” means either the underdog you bet on won or lost by fewer points than their assigned spread number, or the favorite won by more than the assigned spread number. Here’s a quick example: If the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz by a score of 122-110, and the spread was Thunder -7, then any wagers on the Thunder to win by seven or more points (-7) would cover the spread. Meanwhile, bettors who wagered on the Jazz +7, hoping that they would either win as the underdog or lose by fewer than seven points, would have lost their bet and not “covered the spread.” A “push” happens if the spread closes at a whole number and the favorite wins by that amount exactly. In that case, bettors would receive their stake back, but they would not win their bet. Why use point spread betting? Spreads make betting more challenging Point spread betting is often the most exciting betting option available. Let’s use a college basketball example to explain why that is the case. Suppose a top-ranked Houston Cougars basketball team plays a “buy game” early in the season against a mid-major program that has nowhere near the talent and ability that the Cougs possess. In that case, everyone knows their likelihood of winning is extremely high. Therefore, betting on the Cougars’ moneyline would pay out very little money and hardly be worth watching since it will almost certainly be a blowout. On the other hand, if a bettor wagered on the Cougars to win by at least 32 points against this mid-major program, then the game would be much more enticing to watch since they would need to keep scoring to stave off the underdog on the point spread. Better odds than moneyline bets With point spread betting, bettors can get more favorable odds than moneyline bets, particularly if they believe the favorite team will blow out the underdog. Since the moneyline represents the odds that a particular team will win the game or match outright, favorites often have very short odds that don’t pay out very well. By betting on the favorite with the point spread, bettors can get closer to even odds and a more balanced fast payout if the favorite wins by at least the specified amount. Widely available across betting markets Point spread betting is widely available across all major sports, so it is easy to access and is not sportsbook-dependent like some player props or game props. On all major sportsbooks, you can find point spreads for football (NFL, NCAA), basketball (NBA, NCAA), hockey (NHL), and baseball (MLB) games. Point spread betting is one of the easiest ways for beginners to learn the ropes and start their sports betting journey. Beginner tips for point spread betting Start with familiar sports If spread betting is still not 100% clear to you, starting by betting on sports you know could make sense. For example, football fanatics who are new to sports betting might have an easier time understanding point spread betting if they bet on the NFL instead of professional hockey at first. Once a beginner fully grasps point spread betting, they can move on to other sports. Research team performance When betting on point spreads, it is essential to research each team’s performance. A great way to do that is by reviewing historical trends, head-to-head statistics, recent performances, and even weather conditions when betting on a sport like professional or collegiate football. For instance, some NFL teams have outdoor stadiums and play in cold weather. The Buffalo Bills are a prime example of a team used to playing in less-than-ideal weather conditions. In the winter, Bills fans often arrive at the stadium early on gameday to help shovel snow. If the Miami Dolphins have to play against Buffalo in November, and snow is expected, the Bills will typically have an advantage. If you are looking for other pertinent data, sites such as ESPN, sports-reference.com, Yahoo Sports, and any of the major sportsbooks have some applicable statistics that are worth checking out. Manage your bankroll The most important part of point spread betting and gambling, in general, is setting a budget. Bet small to learn without high risk or risk of losing control. Get the hang of betting by wagering $1, $5, or $10 at a time. To gamble responsibly, make a plan and a budget, and stick to it! The American Gaming Association has numerous resources for new and experienced bettors, so check out that site, too. Shop for the best spreads When betting spreads, remember that various sportsbooks will have differing lines. For example, FanDuel might have the Oklahoma City Thunder as seven-point favorites against the Utah Jazz; however, DraftKings may have the Thunder as 6.5-point favorites with the same odds. Shopping for the best point spread betting odds is imperative, as it could mean the difference between winning (or losing) and pushing. If you were to bet on the Thunder to win by at least 6.5 points on DraftKings, and they ended up winning by seven points, that wager would have cashed, as they covered the spread. Conversely, if you took the seven-point line on FanDuel, the bet would have pushed, meaning you would get your stake back but wouldn’t have won the bet. All sportsbooks have their process for generating and creating point spread betting lines, so make sure to “shop odds” across several different sportsbooks and find the most favorable line for your respective bet. Common mistakes to avoid in point spread betting Ignoring the half-point Shopping odds is one of the main ways in which bettors can gain an advantage, and even just an extra half-point in spread betting can make a difference between winning and losing. For this reason, the most successful bettors typically have accounts with several different sportsbooks, as a half-point can be vital. Betting without research Betting on gut instinct is scarcely a good idea, as oddsmakers and sportsbooks make point spread betting lines razor sharp. Successful gamblers do not bet on gut instinct alone. While elaborate research is not necessary if you are betting recreationally, it does make sense to put together a basic analysis for any bets you make. Here are a few online resources to consider using for your betting research: StatmuseESPNSports-Reference Chasing losses If you have ever heard the phrase “chasing losses,” then you know that it is often used in conjunction with a cautionary tale about a gambler who has had matters go from bad to worse. Chasing losses occurs when a bettor gets down and starts betting larger amounts to try to offset their initial losses. Don’t do this. Stick to betting amounts you are comfortable with and don’t raise your stake when you lose to “catch up.” This is another reason it is important to bet with smaller amounts first and stick to a plan. Conclusion: Get started with point spread betting Point spreads help level out lopsided games, offering much more excitement to what might otherwise be a blowout. Also, point spreads help bettors get closer to even odds than moneyline odds, especially if two teams are mismatched. The best way for a beginner to learn point spread betting is by placing small bets on a trusted sportsbook like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars and learning the process firsthand. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about point spread betting What does covering the spread mean? Covering the spread means that a team has eclipsed its assigned point spread total. If the Thunder were seven-point favorites entering their game against Utah, and they won by eight points, they would have “covered the spread.” Is point spread betting risky for beginners? All forms of betting, including point spread betting, involve risk. Only bet what you can afford to lose. For both beginning and experienced bettors, responsibility is essential. Can you bet point spreads on all sports? Most major team sports available to bet on sportsbooks have some form of point spread betting, including basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and mixed martial arts. Individual sports like golf might not have point spreads, as they face a field of players instead of a specified opponent. What happens if the spread is a tie? If the score differential of a game lands on the point spread, then the result is what’s known as a “push.” If your bet ends in a push, you will get your stake (initial wager) back. How do sportsbooks set point spreads? Sportsbooks compile various data, statistics, and trends to set point spreads. Weather, historical performances against specific teams, recent trends, advanced data, mathematical equations, and algorithms are all used when determining a point spread.