What is a point spread?

The short definition

A point spread is a number the sportsbook adds to (or subtracts from) the final score of one team to level the betting. If the Chiefs are favored by 7 over the Broncos, the spread on the Chiefs is −7. The Chiefs must win by 8 or more for a bet on Chiefs −7to cash. The other side, Broncos +7, wins if the Broncos lose by 6 or less or win outright.

Because the spread is chosen to balance the two sides, both are typically priced near −110 (i.e. bet $110 to win $100). This is the standard product on every US sportsbook app for NFL and NBA games — usually the first bet listed on any game screen.

Reading a spread

You’ll see the spread written next to each team’s name:

• Chiefs −7.5 = Chiefs are the favorite, giving 7.5 points. Chiefs must win by 8 or more.
• Broncos +7.5 = Broncos are the underdog, getting 7.5 points. Broncos win the bet if they lose by 7 or fewer, or if they win outright.
• (−110) next to each side = you bet $110 to win $100. Standard vig-baked pricing.

The hook — half-points and no-push

A spread with a .5 at the end (like −3.5 or +7.5) is called a hook. Its purpose is to eliminate the possibility of a push — a tie against the spread that returns your stake.

With −3 (no hook), if the favorite wins by exactly 3, the bet pushes. With −3.5, the game must land on one side or the other. Sportsbooks use hooks aggressively around key numbers (3, 7 in NFL; 4, 5, 7 in NBA) because those exact margins are common and would generate push-heavy books otherwise.

Key numbers in the NFL

NFL scoring is concentrated because of the two dominant scoring plays: field goal (3 points) and touchdown-plus- extra-point (7). About 15% of NFL games land on a margin of exactly 3, and about 9% on exactly 7. These are the “ key numbers.”

What this means for betting:

• Buying a half-point across a key number is especially valuable. Moving from −3 to −2.5, or from +3 to +3.5, is worth roughly 2-3% edge. Sportsbooks usually only charge 10-20¢ for it (i.e. price drops from −110 to −130 or so). When you can buy through a key number under fair market cost, take it.
• Teasers work best when they cross key numbers. A 6-point teaser that moves +2.5 through +3 to +8.5 (or −8.5 through −7 to −2.5) crosses both 3 and 7. This is the Wong teaser — one of the few teaser spots with a real positive-EV history.
• A −3 spread is much more valuable than a −3.5 because you get the push equity on the 3-point win. Books know this and price them differently.

Worked example

You take Chiefs −7 (−110) for $100 in a game against the Broncos.

• Chiefs win 30-20 (by 10). You cover — won by more than 7. Payout: $100 stake + $90.91 profit = $190.91 returned.
• Chiefs win 27-20 (by 7). Push — exact spread. Your $100 stake is returned. No profit, no loss.
• Chiefs win 24-20(by 4). You don’t cover — Chiefs didn’t win by more than 7. Lose your $100.
• Broncos win 21-17. You lose (Chiefs didn’t win at all).

Related terms

• Moneyline: the “who wins outright” version of the same game. No spread. Different math, sometimes different right answer.
• Over/under: the third main bet on any game — total combined score over or under a number.
• Parlay: combine multiple spreads (or spreads with moneylines / totals) into one ticket. Every leg must cover.
• Expected Value (EV): what tells you if a specific spread is a good number. Buying a half-point on a key number is essentially buying EV.
• CLV (Closing Line Value): the diagnostic for whether your spread reads are beating the market. Consistent positive CLV on spreads is the surest sign of real edge.
• Devigging: since both sides of a spread are usually −110, devigging is straightforward — the fair line is close to whatever Pinnacle’s no-vig midpoint says.

Frequently asked questions