Quick answer: A point spread is a handicap the sportsbook applies to the favored team to make a bet between two unequal sides feel like a coin flip. The favorite is listed with a negative number (e.g., -7) — meaning they must win by more than 7 points. The underdog gets +7 — meaning they can lose by 6 or fewer (or win outright) and the bet still cashes. Both sides are typically priced at -110.
How Point Spreads Work
Sportsbooks set the line based on team strength, market action, weather, injuries, and dozens of other factors. The goal of the line is to attract roughly 50/50 action so the book profits from the vig regardless of outcome. Lines move as money comes in.
A Worked Example
Patriots -3.5 vs Jets +3.5. You bet $110 at -110 on the Patriots -3.5. If the Patriots win 24-20 (margin: 4), they cover and your bet wins $100. If they win 20-17 (margin: 3), they did not cover and your bet loses.
Spread Betting vs Moneyline
A point spread evens the odds between unequal teams by handicapping the favorite. A moneyline simply asks who wins outright, with prices reflecting the strength gap. Spread is preferred when the moneyline is steeply priced.
How Sharp Bettors Beat the Spread
Sharps look for line value — discrepancies between the closing line and their own model’s projection. The closing line is the most efficient market in sports, which is why Brier-score calibration vs the closing line is the gold-standard test of a model. PropsBot.AI’s player-prop model beats the Vegas closing line on MLB (Brier 0.1903 vs 0.1947) and NHL (0.1846 vs 0.1865).
Common Point Spread Mistakes
First: chasing ‘sure things’ — there’s no such thing in a -110 market. Second: betting big favorites at heavy spreads (-14 or more). Third: ignoring key numbers in football (3, 7, 10) where line value is concentrated. Fourth: ‘teasing’ lines past key numbers without doing the math.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does -7 point spread mean?
The team listed at -7 is favored by 7 points. They must win by 8 or more for the bet to cash. A 7-point win pushes.
What does +7 point spread mean?
The team at +7 is the underdog. The bet wins if they win the game outright OR lose by 6 or fewer points.
What is a ‘cover’ in spread betting?
A team ‘covers the spread’ when they perform better than the spread implies. A favorite covers by winning by more than the spread; an underdog covers by losing by less (or winning outright).
What does ATS mean in betting?
ATS stands for ‘against the spread.’ A team’s ATS record is their win-loss record relative to the spread. A team can be 8-2 SU but 4-6 ATS.
Why are most spread bets priced at -110?
-110 represents the sportsbook’s vig (about 4.5% per side). You must win 52.4% of -110 bets just to break even.
Part of the PropsBot.AI Sports Betting Glossary. Updated 2026-05-04.
