Cover
Winning a bet against the point spread.
A team "covers" the spread when they beat the point spread. For a favorite, covering means winning by more than the spread. For an underdog, covering means either winning outright or losing by less than the spread.
ATS (against the spread) records track how often teams cover. A team can have a losing win-loss record but a winning ATS record if they consistently beat expectations.
"Did they cover?" is the most common question among sports bettors after a game. The final score matters far less than the score relative to the spread.
Example
Dallas Cowboys -7. If they win 28-17 (by 11), they covered. If they win 24-20 (by 4), they did not cover.
Related Terms
Point Spread
A handicap applied to the favorite to create a more even betting market.
Push
A bet result where the outcome lands exactly on the spread or total, resulting in a refund.
Favorite (Chalk)
The team or player expected to win, indicated by negative moneyline odds.
Underdog (Dog)
The team or player expected to lose, indicated by positive moneyline odds.
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