Definition
A pickem is a spread bet with no point spread. The teams are listed at PK or pick, which means the bet wins if your team wins the game. There is no favorite or underdog by points.
If the odds are -110, the payout math is:
profit = stake / 1.10
So a $110 bet at -110 returns $100 profit if the team wins, plus the original $110 stake.
Worked Example
A sportsbook lists:
- Celtics PK -110
- Knicks PK -110
If you bet $110 on Celtics PK, the Celtics must win the game outright. A 101-100 Celtics win cashes the bet for $100 profit. A 101-100 Knicks win loses the $110 stake.
There is no spread adjustment. A one-point win and a 20-point win count the same.
Why It Matters
Pickem pricing helps a bettor compare two teams without converting a point spread into win probability. It is useful when your projection makes one team more likely to win than the odds imply.