Learn the Basics of Betting on Point Spread Odds in 2025
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Published: Fri Mar 14, 2025, 22:59 PM
Read Time: 14 minutes
Point spread betting stands as one of the most popular forms of sports wagering in America, particularly for high-action sports like football and basketball.
Moneyline betting, which involves simply picking a winner, is the simplest form of betting on sports. Point spread betting is also relatively straightforward, in that you are picking a side to achieve a result. But spread betting adds an intriguing layer of complexity by “handicapping” teams to create a more balanced betting proposition.
This handicapping system is designed to level the playing field between mismatched teams, allowing bettors to find value beyond simply picking favorites or underdogs. Understanding point spreads and how to bet on them is essential to navigating the American sports betting landscape.
The appeal of spread betting lies in its ability to transform potentially one-sided contests into compelling betting opportunities. Rather than avoiding games with clear favorites, spread betting allows you to wager on whether a strong team can win by a significant margin or if an underdog can keep the score closer than expected.
This betting format has become deeply ingrained in American sports culture, with phrases like “covering the spread” entering everyday sports conversations. It is crucial to understand both the fundamentals and nuances of spread betting, and this guide aims to be a valuable educational resource for both new and experienced bettors.
Bet on Point Spreads at the Best Online Sportsbooks
Understanding Point Spreads
At its core, a point spread represents a margin of victory (or defeat) set by oddsmakers to balance betting action between two unevenly matched teams.
The favorite gives (or “lays”) points, while the underdog receives points. For bettors backing the favorite, their team must win by more than the spread amount for the bet to pay out. Conversely, those betting on the underdog win if their team either wins outright or loses by fewer points than the spread indicates.
This creates what oddsmakers aim to be a 50/50 proposition, where either outcome has an equal chance of occurring once the spread is applied to the final score.
Point spread betting lines are identified by a plus (+) or minus (-) sign preceding a number. The minus sign indicates the favorite who must win by more than that number of points. The plus sign denotes the underdog who can lose by fewer than that number of points (or win outright) for a bet to be successful.
Let’s use NFL odds as an example. In one of the biggest rivalries in American sports, the Green Bay Packers (-7) are favored against the Chicago Bears (+7) at home.
What does this mean? Green Bay must win by more than seven points for Packers bettors to win. On the other side, Bears bettors win if Chicago either wins the game outright or loses by fewer than seven points. If the final margin lands exactly on the spread number—in this instance, it would be a seven-point win for the Packers—this results in what’s called a “push.” In that outcome, all bets on both sides are refunded.
Reading Point Spread Betting Odds
At many U.S. sports betting sites, standard point spread bets typically come with betting odds set around -110 on both sides. That means you must risk $110 to win $100 (or proportional amounts).
This built-in commission, known as “vigorish” or “juice,” represents the sportsbook’s profit margin. These odds may seem confusing at first glance, but they simply indicate how much you need to wager to win a certain amount. The -110 odds mean you need to bet $110 to win $100 in profit (for a total payout of $210 including your original stake).
Occasionally, you will see “off-standard” odds like -105, -115, or -120. These numbers represent slightly better or worse value based on betting patterns or other market factors. Additionally, some sportsbooks price spread odds differently, which means you may see -102, -108, or other such numbers.
Reading a full point spread listing requires understanding all its components.
For instance, a typical listing with NBA odds might appear as: “Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 (-110) vs Sacramento Kings +6.5 (-110).”
This means the Lakers are 6.5-point favorites at standard -110 odds, while the Kings are 6.5-point underdogs at the same odds. The half-point (known as a “hook”) prevents pushes by ensuring the final margin cannot land exactly on the spread.
Some point spread betting lines use whole numbers, like -7 or +3, where pushes are possible. Other spread betting options might have different odds on each side, such as “Brooklyn Nets -4.5 (-115) vs. Boston Celtics +4.5 (-105).” This indicates slightly different risk-reward propositions based on betting patterns or other factors the sportsbook is considering.
How Point Spreads Work in Different Sports
Point spread betting exists in many major sports and leagues, but it does not look the same or require the same considerations across the board. Basketball and football feature the most prominent point spread betting markets due to their high-scoring nature and scoring system.
Betting on Basketball Point Spread Odds
With NBA betting, spreads typically range from -1 to -15 for regular season games. The rapid scoring pace in basketball means spreads often change quickly based on player news or betting patterns.
College basketball, which features more mismatches in both conference play and non-conference play, is a bit different. Smaller point spreads are still frequent, but you may see teams favored by 20 or 30 points in the most significant mismatches. Keep this in mind and evaluate accordingly when making your NBA picks and college basketball picks.
Betting on Football Point Spread Odds
NFL spreads generally fall between -1 and -14, with the key numbers of 3, 7, and 10 (common margin-of-victory outcomes) having special significance. Spreads of -3 or -7 often come with adjusted odds rather than moving to the next number. This is because oddsmakers recognize the frequency of games decided by exactly these margins.
As with the NBA and college basketball, college football spreads can be wider than NFL spreads due to the disparities in talent that exist in both conference matchups and non-conference matchups in college football.
For instance, in the 2025 college football season, Georgia will play SEC foes Alabama and Kentucky in back-to-back weeks at home. Against the Crimson Tide, they may be favored by only three points. Against the Wildcats, they may be favored by at least three touchdowns.
Betting on Point Spread Odds in Other Sports
Point spread betting also features in baseball, hockey, and soccer but under different terminology. In MLB betting, spread betting is known as run line betting. With NHL betting, it is known as puck line betting. And in soccer betting, it is known as goal line betting or handicap betting.
In run line betting and puck line betting, the point spread is set at -1.5/+1.5 for most games due to the lower-scoring nature of baseball and hockey. Mismatches may feature spreads of -2.5/+2.5, though this is more frequent in MLB than in the NHL.
Run lines and puck lines typically feature different odds than the standard -110 odds you will see with spread betting in basketball and football. The varying odds in these sports reflect the difficulty of winning by multiple runs or goals. This is especially the case when two teams are evenly matched.
For example, an MLB run line might read “New York Yankees -1.5 (+135) vs. Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-155).” That means that Yankees bettors need New York to win by at least two runs but receive more favorable +135 odds.
In soccer, the spread can vary. Closer matchups may feature spreads of -0.5, for example. But if you are betting on UEFA Champions League odds and see Real Madrid facing Dinamo Zagreb at home or making English Premier League picks for a matchup between Liverpool and Ipswich Town, you may see a spread of -1.5 or even -2.5.
Factors That Influence Point Spreads
When establishing initial point spreads, oddsmakers consider numerous factors.
Team strength, based on statistical models and power ratings, forms the foundation. Recent performance trends carry considerable weight, with teams on winning streaks often receiving more favorable spreads than their baseline power ratings might suggest.
Head-to-head matchups and style compatibility between teams can significantly impact spreads, as certain teams historically perform better or worse against specific opponents regardless of overall records.
Home-field advantage typically adds 2-3 points in football and 2-4 points in basketball to the home team’s side, though this varies by venue and has diminished somewhat in recent years.
Once established, spreads move based on betting patterns and new information. If a disproportionate amount of money comes in on one side, sportsbooks may adjust the spread to balance their liability.
Key player injuries dramatically impact lines—a star quarterback’s unexpected absence might move an NFL spread 7+ points. Late-breaking news about player availability, weather conditions (particularly in football), or unexpected lineup changes can trigger sudden spread movements. Smart bettors watch line movement closely, as it often reveals valuable information.
These factors make the timing of bets a valuable part of strategy. Some bettors prefer early lines before adjustments. Others wait for clearer information near game time when spreads stabilize after incorporating all relevant factors.
Basic Point Spread Betting Strategies
A fundamental approach to point spread betting involves comparing your own projected margin to the sportsbook’s spread.
Start by developing a consistent method for handicapping games—whether through statistical analysis, situational factors, or a combination—and assign your own point spread to matchups before viewing official lines. Using reputable sports betting tools and resources is key to good analysis.
When significant differences exist between your projection and the sportsbook’s spread, potential value emerges.
Tracking line movement also provides insights into market sentiment and can reveal opportunities, particularly when public perception heavily favors one side while sharp money (professional bettors) moves in the opposite direction, creating what insiders call “value on the other side.” Line shopping is also valuable, as the spread at one sportsbook may be different from other sportsbooks by a half-point or even a full point.
Understanding the importance of key numbers in football (3, 7, 10) and securing advantageous spreads around these margins can significantly impact long-term results. For example, getting an underdog at +3.5 instead of +3 provides substantial value given how frequently games land on exactly 3 points.
Similarly, recognizing situations where the public overreacts—like excessively favoring popular teams or overvaluing recent performance—can identify opportunities to “fade” (bet against) public sentiment. Contrarian betting against heavily favored public teams often provides long-term value. Sportsbooks typically inflate spreads on popular teams knowing the public will bet on those teams regardless of the number.
Advanced Point Spread Tactics
There are several tactics that successful point spread bettors may turn to, depending on the situation. Knowing when to combine these strategies can prove to be very valuable for your long-term sports betting endeavors.
Middling
Successful spread bettors sometimes employ a technique called “middling.” Middling involves betting both sides of a moving spread to potentially win both bets.
For example, if you bet the underdog at +7.5 and the line later moves to +4.5, betting the favorite at -4.5 creates a “middle” scenario where both bets win if the favorite wins by exactly 5, 6, or 7 points. Though the middle hits infrequently, it can be highly profitable when it does.
Buying and Selling Points
Another advanced approach with spread betting involves buying and selling points.
With buying points, bettors pay slightly worse odds to adjust the spread in their favor. This is especially valuable when crossing key numbers. That means paying extra to move from -3.5 to -2.5 in football, for instance. Always evaluate these adjusted odds to ensure long-term value.
With selling points, bettors get more favorable odds but adjust the spread in the opposite direction. When selling points, you are either especially confident that a favorite will win by a wider margin than the spread indicates or that the underdog will either win outright or at least be even more competitive than the spread indicates.
Other Advanced Point Spread Betting Strategies
Sophisticated bettors also recognize when point spreads don’t adequately account for certain situational factors.
Teams facing emotional letdowns after big games, squads traveling across multiple time zones, or teams playing on short rest often underperform market expectations.
Similarly, looking beyond baseline statistics to examine matchup-specific advantages—like a strong rushing offense against a poor run defense—can identify spreads that don’t fully reflect game dynamics.
Injury impact assessment represents another advanced skill. The market often overreacts to big-name injuries while undervaluing the cumulative effect of multiple role player absences.
Managing Your Point Spread Betting
Disciplined bankroll management forms the foundation of sustainable point spread betting. Experts recommend risking only 1-3% of your total bankroll on individual bets regardless of confidence level.
This approach protects against losing streaks, which are an inevitable and unavoidable part of having a long-term investment in sports betting. At the same time, this measured approach allows your bankroll to grow steadily.
Tracking all your bets meticulously helps identify patterns in your success and failure. This will reveal which types of spreads, teams, or situations yield your best results. Many successful bettors maintain detailed spreadsheets documenting not just outcomes but their reasoning for each bet. That allows them to refine their approach over time based on objective data rather than selective memory.
Avoiding common pitfalls proves equally important. The “gambler’s fallacy” leads many bettors to believe they’re “due” for a win after losses, prompting increased bet sizes to “get even.” This dangerous pattern typically makes things worse, not better.
Similarly, “confirmation bias” causes bettors to overvalue information supporting their preexisting views while dismissing contradictory evidence, even if that contradictory evidence is more substantial.
Maintaining emotional discipline through both winning and losing periods, sticking to pre-determined bet sizes, and approaching each game with objective analysis rather than emotional investment does not guarantee success but certainly improves your odds. Remember, sports betting is a marathon, not a sprint.
Conclusion
Point spread betting offers a sophisticated and engaging way to interact with America’s favorite sports beyond simple winner-loser propositions.
By understanding how spreads function, recognizing value in the numbers, and applying disciplined analytical approaches, you can have a potentially profitable spread betting experience.
While sportsbooks design point spreads to create balanced propositions where pure chance would yield 50% winners over time, informed bettors can give themselves edges and enhance their opportunities for success by learning and knowing how to identify value, focusing on quality over quantity, and prioritizing responsible wagering.
As with any form of betting, realistic expectations remain crucial. Even the most successful professional sports bettors typically win only 53-58% of their spread bets long-term, with anything above 55% considered exceptional performance. But this narrow edge, while seemingly small, can generate substantial profits when applied consistently with proper bankroll management.
Whether you are approaching point spread betting as recreational entertainment or with professional aspirations, the principles remain the same. Be adaptable to conditions and new information and knowledge, but at the same time, be consistent and disciplined in how you use what you learn and know.
By embracing these fundamentals, you will position yourself to navigate the complex but rewarding world of point spread betting in American sports.
Learn More About Sports Betting
This guide covers a lot of information that will serve sports betting beginners well, but it is just one of many guides we have for both new and experienced bettors.
Whether you want to learn about over/under bets, prop bets, and other types of bets, sportsbook bonuses, notable sports betting terms and phrases, or sports betting strategies such as hedging and middling, we have you covered.
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