What Is Spread In Sports Betting
When betting on sports, one of the most common terms you’ll encounter is the spread. So, what exactly does “spread” mean in sports betting? Simply put, the spread (or point spread) is a number set by sportsbooks to represent the expected scoring difference between two teams. It is used to make the betting market more balanced by giving each side an equal betting opportunity, even when one team is much stronger than the other.
For example, consider a football game with a 1.5 point spread. If Team A is listed at -1.5, they are the favourite. This means they must win by at least 2 points to cover the spread. On the other hand, Team B would be the underdog at +1.5. A bet on Team B would be successful if they either win the game outright or lose by just 1 point.
So even if Team A wins the game, but only by 1 point, they do not cover the spread, and bets placed on them would lose. In this case, bets on Team B would win, even though Team B lost the game on the field. This shows that spread betting in football is not only about which team wins, but also about how many points they win or lose by.
iGamingLeak frequently provides updated point spread lines and betting insights. These updates help bettors follow how spreads move in response to factors like team performance, injury news, and changes in public betting activity. Understanding these shifts is essential for anyone looking to make smart, informed decisions when betting against the spread.
Terms You Should Know Before Starting
| Term | Definition |
| Favourite (-) | The team is expected to win and must win by more than the spread to cover the bet. |
| Underdog (+) | The team is expected to lose but can lose within the spread or win outright to cover the bet. |
| Push | If the favourites wins by exactly the spread, the bet is refunded (no winner or loser). |
| Cover the Spread | When the team you bet on wins by more than the spread (for favourites) or loses within it (for the underdogs). |
How to Read the +7 and -7 Spread in Sports Betting
Understanding how to read the spread is essential for anyone interested in point spread betting. An example is a spread of +7 or -7, which indicates the number of points a team is expected to win or lose by, according to the sportsbook.
If a team is listed with a spread of -7, they are the favourite. For a bet on this team to win, they must win the game by more than 7 points. For example, if you bet on a team at -7 and they win the game 28 to 20, which is an 8-point victory, your bet wins because they covered the spread. However, if they win 27 to 21, which is a 6-point victory, your bet loses because they did not cover the spread.
On the other hand, if a team is given a spread of +7, they are the underdog. A bet on this team would win if they either win the game outright or lose by 7 points or fewer. For example, if you bet on the underdog at +7 and they lose the game 24 to 20, which is a 4-point loss, your bet wins because they kept the margin within the spread. Similarly, if the underdog wins the game outright, say 21 to 17, your bet also wins. However, if they lose by more than 7 points, for instance, 28 to 20, then your bet would lose.
If the final score difference is exactly 7 points, the result is a push, meaning all bets are refunded since neither side covers the spread. This is why some sportsbooks adjust the spread to include half points, like 6.5 or 7.5, to ensure a clear result and avoid a push. Understanding these outcomes is key when betting against the spread, as the final score margin plays a more critical role than just the winner of the game.
When an Underdog Wins Outright
A great example of how covering the spread works, especially when the underdog wins outright, occurred during the 2025 Super Bowl. In this game, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by a margin of 18 points. According to one sportsbook, the Chiefs were the favourite with a spread of -1.5, while the Eagles were the underdog at +1.5.
This line meant that the Chiefs were expected to win the game by at least 2 points. If they had won by a single point, they would have failed to cover the spread, and bets on them would have lost. Conversely, the Eagles could have lost by just one point and still covered the spread, making bets on them successful.
However, the Eagles not only covered the spread but won the game outright, eliminating any doubt. Bettors who placed money on the Eagles to cover the spread won their bets, and those who took a risk on the Eagles winning straight up enjoyed an even greater return. This type of outcome highlights how spread betting gives underdog teams value, even in matchups where they are not expected to win. When an underdog wins outright, both spread bets and moneyline bets on that team pay off.
How to Calculate Your Winnings
In spread betting, odds are usually shown in American format, such as -110 or +110.
- -110 means you bet $110 to win $100, and if you win, you also get your original $110 back. The minus sign shows you need to risk more than you stand to win, because that outcome is more likely.
- +110 is the opposite. You bet $100 to win $110, plus your original $100 back. The plus sign indicates a higher payout, since that outcome is considered less likely.
Now, let’s look at how this works in practice, using a football match between Liverpool and Manchester City as an example. In this case, Liverpool is the favourite with a spread of -3.5, while Manchester City is the underdog at +3.5. Let’s say you place a $100 bet on Liverpool to cover the spread at -3.5. This means Liverpool must win the game by at least 4 goals for your bet to win. If they do, your bet is successful.
Assuming the standard -110 odds, your payout is calculated as Profit=100/1.10=$90.91
So, you would earn $90.91 in profit, and receive your original $100 stake back, for a total return of $190.91. However, if Liverpool wins by only 3 goals or loses the match, they fail to cover the spread. In that case, your bet would lose, and you would forfeit the $100 you staked.
Now let’s consider the other side. Suppose you bet $100 on Manchester City at +3.5. This bet wins if Manchester City wins the game outright or loses by 3 goals or fewer. If that happens, and the odds are also -110, your payout would be the same: $100 (stake) + $90.91 = $190.91.
This example shows that with -110 odds, regardless of which side of the spread you bet on, the payout structure remains consistent, as long as your selection covers the spread. That’s why understanding how to calculate your potential return is essential for managing your bets effectively.
Spread Betting vs Moneyline
| Aspect | Spread Betting | Moneyline Betting |
| Definition | Betting on the outcome, including the point spread (margin) | Betting on the outright winner of the game |
| Purpose | Balances uneven matchups by factoring in point difference | Straightforward betting on who wins |
| Focus | Requires the team to win by a certain margin or not lose by more than the spread | Simply pick which team wins, regardless of score |
| Odds | Usually similar odds on both sides to balance betting action | Odds vary widely based on team strength |
| Risk/Reward | Adds complexity with potential for higher returns | Simpler win/lose outcome, odds reflect team chances |
Buy and Sell in Spread Betting
In spread betting, especially in some markets like sports or financial spreads, you may see options to buy or sell the spread. This concept is similar to how CFD trading works and gives bettors more control over their risk and potential reward.
Sportsbooks set a default spread to balance betting action on both teams. However, bettors sometimes want to adjust the spread to better fit their prediction or risk tolerance. This is where buying and selling the spread comes in.
Buying the spread means you want the favourite to win by a smaller margin than the default spread. This makes it easier for your bet to succeed because the margin to cover is reduced. For example, if the original spread is -7, buying might adjust it to -5.5. However, sportsbooks usually offer worse odds when you buy the spread because you’re asking for an advantage.
Selling the spread means you accept a larger margin for the favourite to cover. This makes your bet harder to win since the team must win by an even bigger gap, for example, increasing the spread from -7 to -8.5. In return for this increased difficulty, sportsbooks offer better odds, so the potential payout is higher.
Example:
Suppose the default spread is -7 with odds of -110.
If you buy the spread and adjust it to -5.5, the favourite only needs to win by 6 points or more. This bet is easier to win, but the odds might drop to -130, meaning you need to risk more for less profit. On a $100 bet at -130 odds, you would profit about $76.92.
If you sell the spread and increase it to -8.5, the favourite must win by 9 points or more. This bet is tougher, but the odds might improve to +120, offering higher returns. On a $100 bet at +120 odds, you would profit $120.
This buy/sell flexibility allows bettors to customize their risk and reward:
- If you feel confident that the favourite will win comfortably but want to reduce risk, you might buy the spread to lower the margin, even if the payout is smaller
- If you’re very confident in a strong favourite and want higher returns, you might sell the spread, accepting a tougher challenge for bigger odds.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Risks of Spread Betting in Sports
Spread betting adds a strategic layer to sports wagering by focusing not just on who wins, but on the margin of victory or defeat. As a form of handicap betting, it helps balance matchups between favourites and underdogs, making even one-sided games more competitive from a betting standpoint. This approach creates opportunities to find value where traditional moneyline bets may fall short.
A major strength of spread betting lies in its flexibility. It allows you to consider how close or dominant a game might be and to shape your wagers around team form, scoring trends, or other key variables. This handicap system rewards bettors who think beyond just the outcome and analyze the dynamics of the match more deeply.
However, spread betting also demands greater precision. Winning is not just about backing the right team but about correctly predicting how much they win or lose by. That makes research, timing, and comparing odds across sportsbooks even more important. A team can win the match and still lose the bet if they fail to cover the spread.
At iGamingLeak, we believe that understanding how point spreads and handicap lines work is essential for building smarter and more informed betting strategies. Spread betting can be a valuable tool when used responsibly, but it should always be approached with discipline, effective bankroll management, and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
FAQs
1. What does a point spread mean in sports betting?
The point spread is a handicap set by sportsbooks to balance betting between two teams. It determines how many points the favourite must win by for bets on them to pay out.
2. What happens if the game margin exactly matches the spread?
That’s called a push, and all bets are refunded since neither side covers the spread.
3. What are the risks of spread betting?
You must predict not just which team wins but by how much, and odds fluctuations, line shifts, and wrong margins can lead to losses even if your team wins. Also, lack of discipline and poor bankroll management increase risk.
4. In which sports is spread betting most commonly seen?
Spread betting is most commonly seen in American football (NFL), basketball (NBA), and ice hockey (NHL), which are major North American sports. Additionally, baseball (MLB) and soccer (football) often offer similar point spread or handicap markets.
