What Is a Point Spread in Betting?
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A point spread is a handicap set by sportsbooks to level the betting on a mismatch. The favorite gets a negative spread (e.g. -7) and must win by more than that to “cover”; the underdog gets a positive spread (+7) and covers by losing by fewer points than the spread — or winning outright. Spread bets usually carry odds around -110.
How a point spread works
Instead of asking who wins, a spread asks by how much. The sportsbook assigns the favorite a number of points it must “give,” and the underdog the same number it “gets.” You then apply the spread to the final score to decide the bet.
| Bet | Team wins by 10 | Team wins by 3 | Team loses by 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favorite -7 | Covers | No cover | No cover |
| Underdog +7 | No cover | Covers | Covers |
Covering the spread
“Covering” means beating the number, not just the opponent. A -7 favorite that wins by exactly 6 wins the game but loses the bet; a +7 underdog that loses by 3 loses the game but wins the bet. That gap between winning and covering is the whole point of the spread.
Pushes and the “hook”
If the margin lands exactly on the spread, it is a push — the bet is void and stakes are returned. To avoid pushes, books often add a half-point “hook” (like -7.5), forcing a definite result. A half-point can be the difference between a win and a push, which is why bettors care about it.
The vig: why it’s -110
Spread bets typically price at -110, meaning you risk $110 to win $100. That extra $10 is the sportsbook’s commission — the vig or juice — and it is how the book profits on a bet designed to be a coin flip. The same commission applies whether you bet a spread, a total, or roll several picks into a parlay.
Spread vs. moneyline
A spread is about margin; a moneyline is about who simply wins. Betting a favorite on the spread demands a big win; on the moneyline it just needs to win. See our spread vs. moneyline comparison for when each is the smarter play, and our over/under guide for betting the combined score instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is a point spread in betting?+
A point spread is a handicap a sportsbook applies to make a lopsided game an even betting proposition. Instead of just picking the winner, you bet on the margin: the favorite must win by more than the spread, and the underdog must either lose by fewer points than the spread or win the game. It shifts the bet from 'who wins' to 'by how much.'
What does covering the spread mean?+
Covering the spread means a team beats the point spread, not just the opponent. A favorite at -7 covers by winning by 8 or more; a 6-point win does not cover. An underdog at +7 covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or by winning outright. So a team can win the game but fail to cover, or lose the game but still cover the spread for bettors.
What do the minus and plus mean in a point spread?+
The minus sign marks the favorite and the points it must give up: -7 means the favorite starts 7 points behind for betting purposes. The plus sign marks the underdog and the points it receives: +7 means the underdog starts 7 points ahead. At the end, you add the spread to the actual score to decide who covered.
What is a push on a point spread?+
A push happens when the final margin lands exactly on the spread — for example a favorite of -7 wins by precisely 7. Neither side covers, so the bet is void and the stake is refunded. Sportsbooks often use half-point spreads (like -7.5), called a 'hook,' specifically to eliminate pushes and force a clear win or loss.
Why is a point spread bet usually -110?+
The -110 is the sportsbook's built-in commission, known as the vig or juice: you risk $110 to win $100. Because a spread is designed to make each side roughly 50/50, the book profits from that small margin on the losing side of the action. It is the same concept whether you are betting a spread, a total, or building a [parlay](/what-is-a-parlay/).
What is the difference between a point spread and a moneyline?+
A point spread bet is about the margin of victory, while a [moneyline bet](/what-is-a-moneyline-bet/) is simply about who wins outright, with the odds doing the balancing instead of points. Betting a heavy favorite on the spread asks it to win big; betting it on the moneyline only asks it to win. Our [spread vs. moneyline](/spread-vs-moneyline/) guide breaks down when each makes sense.
Do point spreads move?+
Yes. Sportsbooks open a spread and then adjust it as money comes in and as news breaks — injuries, weather, lineup changes. If heavy betting hits one side, the book shifts the number to balance its risk. The spread you bet is 'locked in' at the number when you placed it, so timing can matter, which is why lines are watched closely before big games.
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Spread vs. Moneyline: What's the Difference?
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