Definition
Point spread handicaps the favored team by a set number of points. To win, the favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog must lose by less than the spread or win outright. Standard price is −110 on both sides, meaning risk $110 to win $100. The spread normalizes both sides near 50/50 probability. Half-points (−3.5, −7.5) eliminate push outcomes. Books move the spread to balance action and reduce liability.
Worked Example
Cowboys −6.5 (−110) vs Commanders +6.5 (−110). Cowboys win 24–17 (margin 7): Cowboys cover, spread bettors win. Cowboys win 24–21 (margin 3): Cowboys fail to cover, Commanders +6.5 wins. Bet $110 on Cowboys −6.5, win $100. Breakeven win rate: 110 ÷ (110 + 100) = 52.38%.
Why It Matters
Spread markets are most liquid and sharpest. Beating 52.38% long-term is the minimum bar for profitability at standard juice; finding misvalued totals is easier than finding misvalued spreads.
Point Spread questions
What does +7 mean in sports betting?
+7 means the team is a 7-point underdog. Your bet wins if the team wins, or loses by 6 points or fewer. If it loses by exactly 7, the bet is a push and your stake comes back.
What does covering the spread mean?
A team covers when its result beats the spread. A -3 favorite covers by winning by 4 or more. A +3 underdog covers by winning, or by losing by 2 or fewer.
Why do point spreads use half points?
A half point, such as -6.5, removes the chance of a push. A whole number, such as -7, can land exactly on the final margin, and then the stake is refunded.
What are key numbers in NFL spreads?
Key numbers are the final margins that games end on more than others. 3 and 7 are the most common NFL final margins, so a spread that moves across 3 or 7 changes a bet more than other moves of the same size.