Definition
ATS means "against the spread." It tracks whether a team covers the point spread, not whether it wins the game outright.
ATS record formula:
ATS win percentage = ATS wins / (ATS wins + ATS losses)
Pushes are excluded from the win percentage. A favorite covers when it wins by more than the spread. An underdog covers when it loses by fewer points than the spread or wins the game outright.
Worked Example
A team is listed at -6.5 against the spread at -110 odds. If that team wins 27-20, it wins by 7 points and covers the -6.5 spread.
A $110 bet at -110 odds wins $100 in profit, so the bettor receives $210 total back: the original $110 stake plus $100 profit.
If the same team wins 24-20, it wins the game by 4 points but fails to cover. That result is an ATS loss.
Why It Matters
ATS records help separate straight-up team strength from spread performance. The concept helps a bettor evaluate whether market prices are matching how often a team beats expectations.