Point Spread Betting Explained

The point spread is the most popular market in US sports betting. Instead of just picking a winner, you bet on the margin: the favourite must win by more than the spread, or the underdog must lose by less (or win outright). This guide explains it with hypothetical examples.

What the point spread is

The book gives the favourite a negative number and the underdog a positive one. That number is the margin applied to the final score for settlement.

What 'covering' means

To 'cover the spread' means to beat it. A favourite that wins but by fewer points than the spread wins the game but fails to cover — so a spread bet on them loses. This is why the scoreboard winner and the betting winner can differ.

The hook (half-point)

The 'hook' is the half-point on a spread. A line of -6.5 includes a hook; -7 does not. The hook matters because it removes the chance of a tie: -7 can land exactly on a 7-point win and push, while -6.5 always wins or loses.

Pushes and refunds

A whole-number spread (e.g. -7) can push if the favourite wins by exactly that margin — stakes are then refunded, as with other push rules. Half-point spreads cannot push.

Spread vs moneyline

The spread balances a mismatch so both sides have a similar price, while the moneyline pays out purely on the winner. The spread is the same core idea as a handicap in football, applied to points.

🔞 18+ only. Examples are hypothetical and for explanation only — they are not betting advice or real odds. Please gamble responsibly.

FAQ

The favourite must win by 7 or more points to cover -6.5. The +6.5 underdog covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or by winning.

To cover means to beat the spread. A favourite can win the game but fail to cover if it wins by fewer points than the spread.

Yes, on a whole-number spread. If the favourite wins by exactly the spread (e.g. -7 and a 7-point win), the bet pushes and stakes are refunded. Half-point spreads cannot push.

Last updated: 2026-06-15