Football Point Spread Explained

The point spread marks the margin by which a team must win for you to achieve your bet. It is listed to the right of two paired teams and is followed by a negative ('-') sign. The bottom team, which carries the point spread number, is always the home team. The point spread is a number aka the “betting line” set by bookmakers at the sportsbook which is intended to even the playing field between two teams and give a reason for bettors to bet on either side of the game. A point spread is a number that bookmakers will place on a game. Handicappers then need to account for the spread when they are breaking down games. Point spreads are most commonly used in basketball and football, but there are equivalents used for the other major North American sports. In the NHL, it’s referred to as a puck or goal line.

What is a Point Spread or Side Bet?

A point spread is used in sports betting to even the odds between two unevenly matched teams. Each team is given a point total by the oddsmaker that can either be added or subtracted to the final score, thus factoring into if the bet was won or lost.

Example:

The point spread for Super Bowl XLI was:

Basketball Point Spread Explained

Colts –7

Bears +7

Ncaa Football Point Spread Records

The (-) before the 7 indicates that the Colts were the point spread favorites. The (+) indicates that the Bears were the point spread underdogs.

College Football Point Spread Picks

If one were to bet on the Colts, the Colts would have to win by a total of 8 points for the bettor to win. If one were to bet on the Bears, the Bears would have to win outright or lose by no less than 6 points for the bettor to win. A 7 point victory by the Colts would equal a push or tie.