A handicap applied to the favorite to create a more even betting market.
A point spread is a number set by oddsmakers that the favorite must win by (cover) for a bet on them to pay out. The underdog can lose by less than the spread (or win outright) for a bet on them to cash.
Spreads exist to create roughly equal action on both sides of a game. In the NFL, a typical spread might be -3 or -7 (reflecting common scoring margins). In the NBA, spreads can be 10+ points for mismatches.
Betting against the spread (ATS) is the most popular form of sports betting. The standard odds for spread bets are -110 on both sides, meaning you need to win 52.38% of your bets to be profitable.
Caesars posts Eagles −6.5 vs Commanders +6.5 at −110 both sides. The spread handicaps the favorite — Philly must win by 7 or more to cover; Washington covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or winning outright. A $110 bet wins $100.
Sharp spreads typically hold 4.5–5% vig at US soft books, 2–3% at Pinnacle and Circa. The break-even rate at −110 is 52.38%, meaning you need to hit just 108 of 206 bets to profit. Key numbers (3 and 7 in the NFL) make half-point hooks particularly valuable — getting +7 instead of +6.5 is worth roughly 2–3 cents of EV, and buying the 3 across the hook is often the highest-ROI half-point in football.
<p>Caesars posts <strong>Eagles −6.5 vs Commanders +6.5 at −110 both sides</strong>. The spread handicaps the favorite — Philly must win by <strong>7 or more</strong> to cover; Washington covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or winning outright. A $110 bet wins $100.</p><p>Sharp spreads typically hold <strong>4.5–5% vig</strong> at US soft books, <strong>2–3% at Pinnacle and Circa</strong>. The break-even rate at −110 is <strong>52.38%</strong>, meaning you need to hit just <strong>108 of 206 bets</strong> to profit. Key numbers (3 and 7 in the NFL) make <strong>half-point hooks</strong> particularly valuable — getting +7 instead of +6.5 is worth roughly <strong>2–3 cents of EV</strong>, and buying the 3 across the hook is often the highest-ROI half-point in football.</p>
Winning a bet against the point spread.
A bet result where the outcome lands exactly on the spread or total, resulting in a refund.
The commission a sportsbook charges on a bet, built into the odds.
A bet on which team or player will win a game outright, with no point spread.
A handicap applied to the favorite to create a more even betting market.
<p>Caesars posts <strong>Eagles −6.5 vs Commanders +6.5 at −110 both sides</strong>. The spread handicaps the favorite — Philly must win by <strong>7 or more</strong> to cover; Washington covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or winning outright. A $110 bet wins $100.</p><p>Sharp spreads typically hold <strong>4.5–5% vig</strong> at US soft books, <strong>2–3% at Pinnacle and Circa</strong>. The break-even rate at −110 is <strong>52.38%</strong>, meaning you need to hit just <strong>108 of 206 bets</strong> to profit. Key numbers (3 and 7 in the NFL) make <strong>half-point hooks</strong> particularly valuable — getting +7 instead of +6.5 is worth roughly <strong>2–3 cents of EV</strong>, and buying the 3 across the hook is often the highest-ROI half-point in football.</p>
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