What Is A Point Spread?

A lot of online betting cappers who are first getting into the game have the same question: what is a spread?

It’s a fair question when you consider that most casual fans only see two results in a game: Team A wins or Team B wins. Yes, even in hockey as ties are gone. But I digress.

A point spread in simply a margin of victory, which is meant to level the playing field in betting.

For example, if the Team A is a juggernaut and they are expected to crush Team B, obviously everyone will be betting on Team A to win. But with a point spread, all of the sudden we have an even game.

While everyone likes Team A to win, what if they are favored by 14 points in a football game? Now that they have to win by 15 to “cover” the spread and win the game in the sportsbook, would you still bet on them?

Conversely, you can bet on the underdog “plus the points”, which means that if they lose by 14 or less, or if they win the game, then you win.

Here is a clearer example:

Detroit Lions +6.5
Chicago Bears -6.5

If you bet on the Chicago Bears, they have to win by more than 6.5 points, which really means they have to win by seven or more for you to win. If they less than seven points or lose the game outright, then all bets place on Detroit would cash in.

That is what the point spread is and how it comes to be such a factor.

Yankees, Phillies headed for Fall Classic showdown

World Series odds are backing the New York Yankees to go all the way, and they should have enough to get through the American League. But they’ll face Philadelphia in the World Series, and you know the saying: to be the champ, you gotta beat the champ.
New York (+185) – We know they can hit, but it’s the pitching that will carry the Yankees through October. C.C. Sabathia may have been the best hurler in the American League in the second half, going 11-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 14 starts. Andy Pettitte will be solid, but there’s a lot of pressure on A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain to be more consistent, especially Burnett, who took a giant contract to don the pinstripes.
Philadelphia (+645) – Another hard-hitting team that may have the deepest pitching of all the postseason teams. Cliff Lee was the best pickup at the trade deadline, although he’s cooled off a bit. Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Pedro Martinez and Joe Blanton are also available, and we saw what Hamels can do in the postseason as he was last year’s World Series MVP. The problem is the bullpen: is Brad Lidge alright? Ryan Madsen is the closer right now, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a World Series winner that has a closer-by-committee system. Offensively, a return to form by Raul Ibanez would go a long way.
World Series pick: New York over Philadelphia in six games. With Sabathia at the helm and a ton of veteran leadership, the Yankees will win World Series No.27.