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.