Betting on the Point spread is most common in NFL football sports betting. Spreads are intended to level the betting playing field between two teams. If the handicappers do their job right and choose the right spread number, there should be an even chance of winning or losing the bet taking into account thespread.

The Basics of Point Spreads

The two most popular ways of expressing odds in American football are point spreads and money lines.

When you look at a point spread, you will see one team with a negative number and one team with a positive number. Remember, for sports betting purposes, points are subtracted from the favorite team's final score to determine if the favorite is a winner. That is why the the favorite team is always listed with a negative number.

As you might expect, the reverse is true for the underdog. The underdog team is given a positive number because points are added to the underdog team's final score to determine if the underdog is a winner for purposes of the sports bet. Events that tie are considered "no action" - no one wins or loses. Let's look at an example. 

The New Enland Patriots are playing the New York Jets.

The Patriots are expected to win the game and the spread is 6. So, you see the Patriots listed as -6 and the Jets listed as +6. You place a bet on the Patriots. If the Patriots win by more than 6 points, you win the bet. If the Patriots only win by 6 points, then the game is considered "no action" and all moneyis returned. If the Patriots win by less than 6 points, you lose the bet. Note that when you place point spread bets, you are generally laying 110 to win 100 (the book needs it's juice). 

Point spreads can go up or down at any time depending on various factors like player injuries, weather, and the like. The spread may also be adjusted if the bets coming into the sportsbooks are disproportionately favoring one side or the other. You are generally locked in to whatever the point spread was at the time you placed your sports bet.