Point Spread
Also known as: spread
The handicap that turns a lopsided matchup into a 50/50 betting proposition. The dominant NFL/NBA market.
A point spread is a sportsbook-issued handicap that levels the matchup. The favorite “gives” points, the underdog “gets” points.
Example: Packers -7 vs. Bears +7
- Packers must win by 8+ to cover -7
- Bears can lose by up to 6, or win outright, to cover +7
Standard juice is -110 on both sides. Half-point variants (-7.5, +7.5) eliminate pushes.
The point spread is the dominant betting market in NFL and college football, and a major market in NBA and college basketball.
See our full spread page for more.