What Is Sports Spread Betting? Points Spread Explained
Get to know what is spread in sports betting and how you can utilize it for your benefit...
author
Last Updated: 30 May, 2025
Spread betting in sports is a way to bet on how close a game will be, not just who wins or loses.
Instead of picking the outright winner, you bet on whether a team will win by more than a set number of points, or lose by fewer than that number.
Oddsmakers use a point spread to level the playing field between favorites and underdogs.
This gives both sides equal betting interest, no matter how uneven the matchup.
Spread betting is popular in football and basketball, but it’s also used in sports like baseball (run line) and hockey (puck line).
It offers more ways to win and adds strategy to every pick. But like all forms of betting, it involves risk—so smart bankroll management is key.
Key Takeaways
Spread betting is a speculative strategy used in both financial markets and sports events.
It involves predicting the direction of an underlying asset or outcome, without ownership.
Multiple strategies and bet types are available, allowing for diversity and increased potential returns.
How does spread betting work?
Point spread betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on sports.
It’s designed to level the playing field between two teams by setting a projected margin of victory.
Instead of picking just the winner, you’re betting on whether a team will win by more or lose by fewer than the spread.
Oddsmakers assign each matchup a point spread based on how strong each team is.
The favorite gets a minus (-) sign, showing how many points they must win by.
The underdog gets a plus (+) sign, showing how many points they can lose by, or win outright, and still cover the bet.
Let’s say the Lakers are playing the Celtics:
Lakers -7 Celtics +7
If you bet on the Lakers, they must win by 8 or more points to cover the spread.
If you bet on the Celtics, they must win outright or lose by fewer than 7.
If the final score difference is exactly 7, it’s a push, you get your money back.
This same logic applies to the NFL, college football, and most basketball bets.
In NHL betting, the point spread is called the puck line and is usually set at 1.5 goals.
Example: Maple Leafs -1.5 vs. Canadiens +1.5If you bet on the Maple Leafs, they must win by 2 or more goals.
If you bet on the Canadiens, they can win outright or lose by 1 goal, and your bet wins.
How do moneyline odds work?
The moneyline is a straight-up bet on who wins the game, no spread involved.
The favorite has a minus (-) number showing how much you need to risk to win $100.
The underdog has a plus (+) number showing how much you’d win from a $100 bet.
Example:
Lakers -160: Bet $160 to win $100
Celtics +140: Bet $100 to win $140
Moneylines are simpler but don’t offer the balanced odds that spreads do, especially in uneven matchups.
What are over/under totals?
Also called totals, this bet focuses on the combined score of both teams.
Oddsmakers set a number, and you choose whether the final total will be over or under that number.
It doesn’t matter who wins—only how many points are scored.
Example:
If the over/under is set at 215.5 for a basketball game:
A final score of 110–108 (218 total) hits the Over
A final score of 105–100 (205 total) hits the Under
If the total hits exactly 215.5, it’s a push, and your bet is refunded
Totals are common in high-scoring sports like basketball, football, and even baseball.
You’ll often see spreads or totals end in .5, this is called “the hook.”
The hook prevents a push, which happens when the final score lands exactly on the spread or total.
Since there are no half-points in real games, a .5 forces a win or loss.
Example: If the spread is -3.5, your team must win by 4 or more.
If it were -3, a 3-point win would just give your money back.
That tiny half-point can make a big difference in close games, so pay attention to it.
How to read a point spread
Understanding the key components of a point spread helps you make smarter bets.
Here’s what each part means:
The Handicap: The handicap is the number of points oddsmakers use to level the playing field between two teams. A spread like 1.5 means one team is given a 1.5-point edge. The “.5” is called the hook, and it prevents a tie or “push.”
The Favorite: The team expected to win is the favorite. You’ll see a minus sign (-) next to their spread. Example: Chiefs -1.5 means they must win by 2 or more points to cover the spread.
The Underdog: The team expected to lose is the underdog, shown with a plus sign (+). Example: 49ers +1.5 means they can lose by 1 point or win outright for your bet to cash.
The Vig (or Juice): This is the cost to place your bet, often shown as odds like -110. That means you’d bet $110 to win $100. Sportsbooks use the vig to make a profit regardless of the outcome.
How to bet spread
Pros and cons of spread sports betting
Pros
- ✅ More Balanced Odds: Spread betting evens the playing field between favorites and underdogs, making bets more competitive.
- ✅ More Betting Opportunities: You don’t need to pick a winner, just predict if a team covers the spread, giving you more flexibility.
- ✅ Great for Experienced Bettors: If you know the sport well, spreads reward deeper insight into team matchups and performance.
Cons
- ❌ Risk of Bigger Losses: Getting the spread wrong means you can lose, even if your team wins the game outright.
- ❌ Learning Curve: Beginners may find spreads harder to understand compared to simple moneyline bets.
- ❌ Small Edges Matter: Half-points and line moves can swing a result, so missing the best line can hurt long-term value.
Risk vs reward in spread betting
Understanding the balance between risk and reward can help you choose the right type of bet.
Here's how spread betting stacks up against other common betting options:
Types of sports in spread betting
1. Football (NFL and College Football)
In spread betting for both NFL and College football, the point spread is the most common type of bet.
This involves predicting whether a team will win or lose by more than a specified number of points.
A popular option during football season, spread betting allows bettors to capitalize on their knowledge of team performance and strategies.
2. Basketball (NBA, NCAAB)
Similar to football, spread betting in basketball (both NBA and NCAAB) relies on point spreads.
However, basketball games tend to have higher scores, which can impact the size of the spreads.
Bettors need to consider factors like team dynamics, injuries, and player matchups to make informed decisions when placing spread bets in basketball.
3. Baseball (MLB)
In MLB spread betting, the run line is utilized, which is usually set at 1.5 runs.
This means that the favored team needs to win by at least two runs while the underdog can either win outright or lose by no more than one run for the bet to be successful.
Baseball spread betting requires careful analysis of pitching performance, batting lineups, and team form.
4. Hockey (NHL)
NHL spread betting relies on the puck line, which is similar to baseball’s run line but typically set at 1.5 goals.
Bettors need to predict if the favored team will win by at least two goals or if the underdog will either win outright or lose by no more than one goal.
Key factors to consider include team form, defensive and offensive performance, and goaltending.
5. Soccer
Soccer spread betting revolves around goal lines, which can be whole numbers (like 1 or 2) or fractions (like 0.5 or 1.5).
In soccer, the goal line represents the minimum number of goals that the favored team should win by for a successful bet.
Bettors must consider various aspects such as team strength, playing styles, and individual player performance when placing spread bets in soccer.
6. Tennis
Tennis spread betting primarily focuses on the number of games a player will win by, known as the game line.
Bettors need to predict if the favored player (or team in doubles) will win by more than the set line.
Factors to consider include player form, head-to-head record, playing surface, and any potential injuries.
7. Golf
Spread betting in golf is usually centered around the total number of strokes a golfer will finish a tournament above or below a predetermined line.
This requires a deep understanding of individual player performance, course difficulty, weather conditions, and current form to place informed spread bets.
8. Other Sports
Beyond traditional sports, spread betting is also available for sports like NASCAR, MMA, UFC, NCAAF, Boxing, and more.
Each sport comes with its nuances and factors that bettors need to consider to increase their chances of accurately predicting spreads and outcomes.
No matter the sport, maintaining a neutral and clear perspective is essential to successful spread betting.
Spread betting strategies and tips
To succeed with spread betting, it’s not just about picking winners.
Smart bettors use strategy, watching line movement, tracking injuries, and comparing sportsbooks to find value and reduce risk.
Here are some key tips to guide your bets.
1. Understanding line movement and odds
When it comes to spread betting strategies, it’s important to understand line movement and how odds are determined.
Line movement refers to how the odds change over time leading up to a game or event.
Oddsmakers adjust the lines to balance the action on both sides of the bet and manage their risk.
Lines can also be influenced by betting trends, public sentiment, and news related to the event.
A successful bettor should pay attention to these changes and aim to identify value in the lines at the right time.
2. Considering injuries and rest
Accounting for injuries and rest is another crucial element in spread betting.
Injuries can significantly impact a team’s performance; hence, it’s essential to stay updated on injury reports and players’ availability.
Additionally, monitoring rest schedules and considering factors like back-to-back games or long road trips can help bettors make more informed decisions on their bets.
3. Analyzing matchups and weather
In spread betting, analyzing matchups and weather plays a crucial role in predicting outcomes and identifying value.
Understanding how each team’s strengths and weaknesses match up against each other is essential in determining the potential edge in a bet.
Weather conditions, particularly in outdoor sports like football and baseball, may have a significant impact on the outcome of a game.
Factors like wind speed, precipitation, and temperature can affect players’ performances and alter the dynamics of a match, thus influencing the spread.
4. Choosing the right sportsbook
Lastly, choosing the right sportsbook is essential to optimizing your spread betting experience.
Working with reputable and reliable sportsbooks can offer several benefits, such as competitive odds, a wide range of betting options, and responsive customer service.
When searching for the right online sportsbook, consider factors like licensing, user interface, deposit and withdrawal options, and promotional offers.
By selecting a suitable sports betting site, bettors can ensure that they have access to the best tools and information available to make informed bets and maximize their potential returns.
Types of bets in spread betting
Spread betting offers a variety of bet types to suit different betting strategies and preferences.
In this section, we’ll explore three notable types of bets in spread betting: Parlays, Futures, and Prop Bets.
Parlays
A parlay is a single bet that combines multiple picks into one wager.
To win a parlay, all of the selected picks must be correct.
Parlays typically involve point spreads, moneylines, or totals, and they offer higher potential payouts due to the increased risk of selecting multiple outcomes.
Some key points about parlays are:
The more picks in a parlay, the higher the potential payout.
A single incorrect pick causes the entire parlay bet to lose.
Parlays can involve various sports and bet types.
Futures
Futures bets are wagers on events or outcomes that will occur at a later date.
These bets usually involve predicting the winner of a championship game, a league, or an individual award.
Futures bets provide an opportunity to lock in favorable betting odds long before the actual event.
Key characteristics of futures bets include:
Higher risk due to the unpredictability of long-term outcomes.
Potential for larger payouts, as odds are typically more attractive for future bets.
Betting lines can change significantly over time based on teams’ or players’ performances.
Prop bets
Proposition bets (prop bets) are wagers on specific events or occurrences within a game, which do not directly affect the outcome or score.
These bets can be related to individual player performances, team statistics, or other unique happenings during the game.
Some examples of prop bets are:
A certain player scores a specific number of points.
The number of three-pointers made by a team.
A tennis player wins a certain percentage of their first serve points.
Prop bets can add an extra level of excitement to spread betting and often require bettors to have a deeper understanding of the sport and the specific match they are betting on.
They can also offer a chance for bettors to exploit their specialized knowledge.
Regulation and legality of spread betting
Before placing any spread bets, it’s important to understand the legal landscape.
Spread betting is regulated differently depending on the country and whether you're betting on sports or financial markets.
This section explains who oversees these bets, where they're legal, and what bettors should know to stay compliant.
Legislation in the United States
In the United States, sports betting legislation varies by state, with 30 states and the District of Columbia having Live, Legal sports betting laws.
The federal government has restricted state-based legalization of sports betting since the enactment of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1992, barring states that didn’t already allow sports betting from doing so in the future.
Differences between spread betting and gambling
Technology and spread betting
Live and in-play betting
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, has transformed the way people bet on sports events.
Punters now have the opportunity to place bets during games, matches, or events, allowing them to react to what’s happening in real time.
This adds an exciting dynamic to betting, as odds can change rapidly based on the live action.
The availability of live betting has increased thanks to advancements in technology, with many bookmakers offering live streaming services and real-time updates on odds for popular sports like NFL, NCAAB, NCAAF, and boxing.
Sports betting apps and platforms
The rise of smartphones and tablets has led to the development of various sports betting apps and platforms.
These apps provide a convenient and accessible way for bettors to place bets, track their bets, and check Super Bowl odds or NFL point spreads regardless of their location.
In addition to offering traditional betting options, such as moneyline, point spread, and total points, many sports betting apps also feature more niche markets like prop betting and parlay wagers.
Emerging betting markets
Advancements in technology have also given rise to new and emerging betting markets.
For instance, blockchain technology has the potential to bring more transparency and fairness to the betting industry by eliminating the need for a central authority and reducing the vig charged by bookmakers.
This could open up new opportunities for spread betting and arbitrage betting strategies.
Furthermore, the integration of data analytics and machine learning algorithms can improve the accuracy of betting predictions and help bettors make more informed decisions on their wagers.
As the technology behind sports betting continues to evolve, we’ll likely see even more innovation in the betting market, offering bettors a wider range of options and potentially more profitable opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Contributors
Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO. With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL. Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends. His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.