Sports betting can feel confusing at first — especially when you hear terms like “point spread” or “-110 odds.”
This guide explains what a point spread means, why some lines include a “.5,” and how these numbers affect your payout. Whether you’re betting on the NFL or any other sport, understanding spreads is the first step toward making smarter wagers.
What Is a Point Spread?
A point spread represents the expected margin of victory between two teams. It helps balance the matchup by giving the underdog a head start and forcing the favorite to win by a certain amount for your bet to cash.
The spread appears as both a negative and positive number. For example, if the spread is 3 points, you’ll see Team A -3 and Team B +3.
- Team A (-3) is the favorite and must win by more than three points.
- Team B (+3) is the underdog and can either win outright or lose by fewer than three points.
If the game ends exactly on the spread, say Team A wins by three, it’s a push and your original stake is refunded. No one wins or loses in that case.
Why Spreads Often Include “.5”
Sportsbooks frequently add what’s called “the hook” — the extra half-point that eliminates ties.
If the spread is 3.5, the favorite must win by at least four points for you to win your bet. Since no team can score half a point, this rule ensures every bet ends in a clear win or loss rather than a push.
The hook keeps lines more precise and prevents a tie result that would otherwise require the sportsbook to refund bets.
What Do the Numbers Like -110 or +100 Mean?
Those numbers next to the spread represent the vigorish (or “juice”), which is the fee charged by the sportsbook. It shows how much you need to risk or how much you stand to profit based on your bet size.
Standard juice on a spread is -110, meaning you must bet $110 to win $100. If the line is +110, it means you’d win $110 on a $100 wager.
Here’s a quick example:
- A -110 bet means risking $11 to win $10 (a total return of $21 including your stake).
- A +110 bet means risking $10 to win $11 (a total of $21 when you win).
Sometimes you’ll see lines shift, such as -120/+100. That happens when more money is placed on one side, and the sportsbook adjusts to balance its risk.
Why the Vig Matters
At first, beginners might ignore the small difference between -110 and -115, but it can add up over time. The vigorish is how sportsbooks make money, and learning to compare odds across different books helps you maximize your potential returns.
For instance, betting -160 instead of -200 on the same team might not seem like much, but it means more profit if your pick wins. Smart bettors always shop around for the best line before placing a wager.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the point spread is one of the first steps in becoming a confident sports bettor. It levels the playing field between two teams and adds strategy beyond simply picking a winner.
The next time you look at a betting line like Team A -3.5 (-110), you’ll know exactly what it means:
- Team A must win by four or more points.
- You’ll need to bet $110 to win $100.
From there, everything else in sports betting — moneylines, totals, parlays — becomes easier to grasp. Start small, bet responsibly, and enjoy the game with a little extra excitement.
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FAQ
What does “cover the spread” mean in betting?
To cover the spread means your team beats the point spread set by the sportsbook. If you bet on a favorite at -3, they must win by 4 or more points. If you bet on the underdog at +3, they cover by winning outright or losing by fewer than 3 points.
Why do some point spreads end with .5?
The “.5” is called the hook, and it removes the chance of a tie. If a spread is 3.5, the favorite must win by at least 4 points for your bet to win. Since no team can score half a point, the hook ensures there is always a clear result.
What does -110 mean next to the spread?
The number -110 represents the vigorish or juice, which is the fee charged by the sportsbook. It means you must bet $110 to win $100. If the odds are +110 instead, you would win $110 on a $100 wager.
What happens if the final score lands exactly on the spread?
When the score difference matches the spread exactly, it’s called a push. In that case, no one wins or loses, and your original bet is refunded.
Is betting the spread better than betting the moneyline?
It depends on your strategy. Betting the spread focuses on the margin of victory, while a moneyline bet simply picks who will win. If you believe an underdog can keep the game close, spread betting can often provide better value.
Why does the spread change before a game starts?
Sportsbooks adjust spreads based on how people are betting and new information like injuries or weather. When more money is placed on one side, the line moves to balance the action and reduce the sportsbook’s risk.