Point spread betting is an extremely popular way to bet on sports because it evens out the odds for both sides. Point spreads force favorites to lay a certain number of points and underdogs to take them when deciding a betting winner.

This is an effective way sportsbooks even out two teams’ chances of winning and try to draw an equal amount of betting to both sides. Indiana online sportsbooks post point spreads for just about every major pro and college sport.

The point spread can be moved to any level to create an equal number of participants on each side of the wager. This allows a bookmaker to act as a market maker by accepting wagers on both sides of the spread. The bookmaker charges a commission, or vigorish, and acts as the counterparty for each participant. In sports betting, how much a team wins by is usually all that matters. The most popular way to bet for the two most popular sports, basketball and football, is with the point spread, also known as.

A point spread bet is a wager in which you bet which team is going to outperform their expected performance. The sportsbook will set a line based on how well they think each team will do during the. The point spread refers to the line that has been placed on a game by oddsmakers. Most commonly used in basketball and football betting, it can help to think of the point spread as the estimated margin of victory. For bettors who place a wager on the spread, this number needs to be factored into their handicapping.

Point spread bets are booked at currently posted moneyline odds that are usually close to even for both teams. That effectively lowers the risk of betting favorites and increases an underdog’s chances of winning compared to standard moneyline betting.

On this page you’ll find a complete guide to point spread betting including:

• How to bet point spreads for the first time
• How to read point spreads
• How point spreads differ from sport to sport
• Who sets the spread
• Why you should bet point spreads over other bets
• How to avoid making the biggest point spread betting mistakes

Current point spreads at all Indiana sportsbooks

Point spreads are most popular for football betting and basketball betting, but are available for most sports. Check the feed below for current point spreads posted at top Indiana online sportsbooks for upcoming games. Click on any odds to jump to the online sportsbook, claim your bonus or free bets, and register a new account.

What is a point spread?

A point spread bet is a bet in which you either “lay” or “take” the points from a line set by oddsmakers to determine a betting winner. That means you have to deduct the spread number from the favorite’s final score, or add it to the underdog’s, to determine which side wins the bet.

Example: The Chicago Bears are a -7 point spread favorite over the Pittsburgh Steelers. That means you would need to deduct seven points from the Bears’ final score to determine which side wins a spread bet.

If the Bears win 27-19, they win by eight points and “cover the spread.” In other words, an NFL spread bet on the Bears at -7 wins. If the Steelers win outright, or the Bears win by six points or less, the Steelers cover and spread bets on the Steelers +7 win.

Finally, if the Bears win by exactly seven, it’s a push and all bets are returned.

What does +/- mean in point spread betting?

Point spreads are expressed by either positive or negative numbers. There’s a plus sign in front of the spread for underdogs that tells you to add the points to the team’s final score to determine the betting winner.

If the spread is posted as +3.5 you should add 3.5 points to the team’s final score to determine the betting winner. So the underdog can win outright or lose by three points or less to win against the spread, otherwise known as covering.

Conversely, there’s a minus sign in front of the spread for favorites that tells you to deduct the points to the team’s final score to determine a betting winner.

If the spread is posted as -4 you should deduct four points from the team’s final score to determine the betting winner. In other words, the favorite must win by five points or more to win against the spread, or cover.

Winning by exactly four would result in a push and all bets are returned.

How much does a point spread bet pay off?

Betting The Point Spread

You book point spread bets at the currently posted moneyline odds for each side, which means you get paid at those odds if your side wins. Point spread odds are usually set at -110 for each side, but the price can change based on how much is bet on a certain team.

At -110, sportsbooks earn a standard house edge, or vig, on all spread bets. This assumes there’s an equal amount of betting on each side. They will change either the odds or the spread itself to try to get back to even if there’s more betting on one side.

As a bettor, -110 odds means you have to bet $110 to win $100 plus your bet back. As long as there’s an equal amount of betting on both sides, -110 odds means a sportsbook will take in $110 for every $100 they pay out, leaving the rest as its profit.

How much should you wager on a point spread bet?

We can’t tell you how much you should bet on point spreads. That’s really a personal decision.

However, we can tell you it’s a good idea to base such decisions on your personal finances; only bet with disposable income, and never bet more cash than you can realistically afford to lose.

It’s a good idea to set aside a betting bankroll for yourself and make sure it’s an amount of money you won’t miss.

Then, try limiting yourself to betting just 1% of that bankroll on any individual bet. Or, set a unit amount of 1% of that bankroll and wager from one to five units on any point spread bet based on your confidence in each bet.

That means a one unit bet when you’re pretty sure the Green Bay Packers can cover at -7 over the Dallas Cowboys and a five unit bet when you’re almost 100% sure the Kansas City Chiefs will cover at -3.5 over the Denver Broncos.

Just remember that oddsmakers get it right a lot of the time when setting spreads. Betting against the spread is something that should only be done when your own exhaustive research tells you they might be getting it wrong.

And even then, you should be careful about placing all your eggs in one basket and risking any more than just a small percentage of your total bankroll.

Why are baseball and hockey point spreads so similar?

In relatively low-scoring sports, there’s usually a standard point spread set for just about every game. Instead of the spread changing, the odds are adjusted based on each team’s chances of covering.

In NHL betting, this is the puck line. In MLB betting, it’s the run line. These standard betting lines are most often set at 1.5 goals or runs and booked at varying moneyline odds.

Once again, the big difference between this and standard point spread betting is that the puck and run lines rarely change — only the odds do. Of course, you can also bet alternative puck and run lines at increased or decreased moneyline odds as well.

In-game point spreads

In-game or “live” betting could very well be the most exciting way to bet on sports. It’s most certainly the fastest. It involves betting on games in the middle of the action at odds that are constantly changing.

Indiana online sportsbooks post full game, quarter, and half in-game point spreads for most games and adjust those lines based on live scoring and the time remaining.

It’s up to you to get a bet down before the action and the line changes again, making mobile sportsbook apps the best way to go for live betting.

See our list of the best sportsbook apps in Indiana.

Why bet the point spread over moneylines, totals, or props?

If there’s one clear reason to bet point spreads over other bets it’s that the spread evens out the odds.

Betting against the spread means you don’t have to risk a huge amount for very little reward betting favorites. Plus, the spread gives underdogs a realistic chance at becoming a betting winner, even when their odds of actually winning a game are slim.

Just remember, oddsmakers set spreads for a living and they’re really good at it. Do your research before placing a point spread bet.

Point spread and odds movements explained

Sportsbooks will move their point spreads to attract more money to the side less customers are betting on. Read on to find out why and how this works.

What does ‘against the spread’ mean?

Betting ‘against the spread’ is simply another term for placing a point spread bet.

It doesn’t matter what side you bet on, you’re betting ‘against the spread’. In other words, you’re betting that either the favorite or underdog will ‘cover the spread’.

Favorites cover the spread when they win by more than the spread set by oddsmakers. Underdogs cover when they win outright or lose by less than the spread.

What does ‘public betting’ mean?

‘Public betting’ is a reference to what side of a point spread bet the majority of the money is being bet on.

Why does the point spread move/change?

Sportsbooks might change the spread for a game based on injuries to key players, roster moves, or even reports of inclement weather that might impact scoring.

They may also change the spread for a game when more money is bet on one side or the other.

Sportsbooks set spreads to try to draw an equal amount of betting to each side, realize the vig, and ensure they don’t have to sweat the actual outcome of the bet. If more is bet on one side, they’ll move the line in an effort to even things out again.

This kind of line movement only happens at the sportsbooks that see more money bet on one side or the other.

That’s why a local Indiana sportsbook may start out with the same point spread for an Indianapolis Colts game found at a Vegas sportsbook, but end up with a different one by kickoff

How are NFL/NBA/NCAA point spreads set?

Oddsmakers use a number of different factors to set point spreads for betting on the NBA, betting on the NFL, etc. They begin with a deep look at the two teams’ recent and historic results, scoring, and defensive averages.

They then consider injury reports, historical matchup data, and the impact weather and scheduling may have on scoring on the game. Finally, they take a close look at where other sportsbooks are setting the line and adjust accordingly.

3 biggest point spread betting mistakes

Here are three mistakes you should try to avoid when betting against the spread:

1. Too many bets. Just because sportsbooks set a spread for every game doesn’t mean you have to bet them all. Your goal should be to research each game, identify spots where oddsmakers may have set the spread too high or low, and take advantage.
2. Accounting too much or too little for a home field advantage. Oddsmakers build the home field advantage right into the spread, so you need to consider how much weight you should give it. Study the home and away records of the teams involved and you can avoid the mistake of accounting too much or too little for the home field advantage.
3. Guessing. Sports betting isn’t about guessing. Betting against the spread requires real research. Turn your guesses into educated guesses and informed picks by doing your homework.

Extra point spread FAQs

When was the first point spread offered at a sportsbook?

Point spread betting was invented by Charles K. McNeil, a Connecticut math teacher-turned-Chicago sportsbook operator. He started offering point spread bets in the 1940s as a way to attract betting to both sides of a contest and earn a consistent vig.

Why are college point spreads so much bigger than pro point spreads?

Point spreads are consistently larger in college basketball betting and college football betting because of the disparity between perennial favorites and underdogs. In other words, there’s more parity in most pro spots and a big difference between the haves and have-nots in the college ranks.

How accurate do point spreads end up being?

Oddsmakers are stunningly accurate in setting most point spreads. That’s why you need to be selective in the number of point spread bets you make. Ensure you’re only betting against the spread based on what your research tells you about a game and how accurate oddsmakers have been in setting a line.

How much extra work goes into setting the Super Bowl point spread?

Like any other game, oddsmakers set the point spread for the Super Bowl by taking a number of different factors into consideration.

This includes the teams’ recent and historic results, scoring averages, injury reports, historical matchup data, and the impact weather may have on scoring. They also take a close look at where other sportsbooks are at.

Because NFL oddsmakers have just these two teams and one game to focus on, they have proven to be even more accurate than normal.

Who do you like to cover? What’s the spread on the game? These two questions are asked often in sports betting circles.

When you hear them, that means the conversation has turned to the point spread for an upcoming contest. The point spread refers to the line that has been placed on a game by oddsmakers.

Most commonly used in basketball and football betting, it can help to think of the point spread as the estimated margin of victory. For bettors who place a wager on the spread, this number needs to be factored into their handicapping.

At first glance, point spreads can seem confusing and it may look like there’s no rhyme or reason to the numbers. That’s not the case on either front.

We’ll explain everything you need to know about point spread betting right here. Let’s begin by taking a look at the best places you can place your bets.

What is a Point Spread?

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. For MLB, it’s known as a run line.

In both cases, the standard number used is 1.5. When it comes to basketball or football, there’s no set value for the point spread. It can range from as small as 0.5 points all the way up into double digits.

One way to look at point spreads is as the presumed gap in strength between the two teams. Let’s use a random NFL point spread as an example.

• New York Giants +3.5
• Dallas Cowboys -3.5

In this situation, the Cowboys are 3.5-point favorites. Bettors need to decide if the Cowboys are in fact 3.5 points better than the Giants for this contest, and if they will be able to win the game by this amount.

Naturally, there will be plenty of different perspectives on how the contest will play out. There will be bettors who side with the Cowboys minus the points, and those who like the Giants plus the points.

For Cowboys bettors to be correct, the team would need to win by greater than 3.5 points, such as 24-20. On the Giants side, they need to keep it closer than 3.5 points, as in 21-20.

The side that successfully exceeds the margin is viewed as having ‘covered’ the spread. You’ll come across the term ‘cover’ a lot in your research. It effectively means which side will be the winner from a betting perspective when the spread is factored in.

There will also be odds attached to point spreads. We’ll cover that in more detail in a bit.

How to Bet the Spread?

Since the point spread is most commonly used in basketball and football, we’ll be focusing on those two sports for the remainder of the article. In both sports, the point spread is used on both the Pro and College side.

Let’s walk through some examples for all of the major point spread sports, starting with the NBA. Here’s the line and spread for a fictitious game.

Betting Point Spread Explained

• Milwaukee Bucks +1.5 (-110)
• Toronto Raptors -1.5 (-110)

The Raptors are favored by 1.5 points, indicating a potentially tight game. After doing your research, you decide you like Toronto to win by more than 1.5 points.

As it turns out, the Bucks wind up winning a close one by a score of 100-98. Not only did the Raptors fail to cover the spread, but they lost the game, so your ticket is a loser. If Toronto had come out on top by the same margin, you would have had a winner.

Next, let’s take a look at the spread and betting odds for a random College Basketball game.

• Purdue +.4.5 (-110)
• Michigan State -4.5 (-110)

The Spartans are 4.5 point favorites for this tilt, but you like the way the Boilermakers are playing and think they can keep it close. When the final whistle blows, Michigan State hangs on for a 72-69 win.

The Spartans have won the game, but the margin of victory was lower than the spread. Those who bet on Michigan State minus the points have losing tickets, but bettors on Purdue plus the points such as yourself are winners.

The point spread works the same way when betting on College Football and the NFL. Oddsmakers will designate a favorite and an underdog, and then they’ll add a point spread into the mix.

• Cleveland Browns +6.5 (-110)
• New England Patriots -6.5 (-110)

The Patriots are pretty big favorites for this one. If you bet on them with the spread attached, they’ll have to win the game by seven or more points. For a bet on the Browns with the spread, the team will at least need to keep the margin to six points or under.

The favored status of New England proves to be prescient, as they go on to win by a score of 27-17. The 10-point margin of victory means that they covered the spread, while Cleveland has failed to do so.

For our final example, let’s move over to College Football for an imaginary inter-conference clash.

• Wisconsin +2.5 (-110)
• Texas A&M -2.5 (-110)

While the Badgers are the underdogs for this contest, the game is expected to be tight. Oddsmakers have placed the spread at less than a field goal as a result. When the final whistle blows, the Aggies escape with a 28-27 win.

Underdog Wisconsin has lost, but they kept it close and covered the spread. Bettors on that side have a winning ticket to cash, while those who wagered on Texas A&M minus the points move on to fight another day.

As with all other sports betting concepts, the more you are exposed to point spreads, the easier they become to understand.

Point Spread Odds and Line Moves

After oddsmakers release the spread and odds for a slate of games, the betting market has a chance to weigh in. That can lead to shifts in both cases depending on market action.

Let’s say a spread for an NFL game is released at 3.5 points. A flurry of public money comes in on one side of the coin. Oddsmakers respond by raising the spread up to 4 points.

So why did the spread tick up? In this case, we can interpret it to mean that a good amount of money came in on the favorite minus the points. To make the game more attractive on the underdog side, the sportsbook has added some more incentive in the form of a half-point.

On the odds front, we may see the same thing. Odds of -110 are pretty standard for point spread bets. If a book takes in more action on one side over the other – but not enough to justify moving the spread – then the odds can shift a little.

For example, a majority of the money coming in the favorite could lead odds on that side to change to -115, while odds on the underdog side are adjusted down to -105. This may influence the direction they go and even out the action for the sportsbook a bit, which is the goal they have when adjusting odds.

Odds and spreads can also move when a piece of news drops that could impact the outcome of the game. A major injury, lineup change, or trade are among the scenarios that could have such an impact.

For point spread betting, it’s always a good idea to check out the opening lines and compare them to where they are when you begin handicapping the game. This can alert you to market sentiment on the game, or potentially a piece of news that you may have missed.

How to Handicap Point Spreads

While handicapping for point spreads may seem complex when you’re first starting out, it really doesn’t have to be. It can be as difficult or easy as you make it, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping it simple.

First things first, there are resources out there – both free and subscription-based – which provide picks against the spread. Some are good, some are average, and others aren’t so great.

If you’re going this route, a good rule of thumb is to find a few trusted resources – three will do the trick – and compare the picks to help form your own consensus. As always, practice due diligence when selecting sources and don’t just blindly trust the words of one as gospel.

For those who would like to do their own handicapping, it’s helpful to start with a simple process and build it out from that point.

First things first, study the lines and odds for the games on the slate. Recognize what the market is telling you, and examine any shifts from open to present time.

Next, consider the overall strength of the teams involved, as well as how much of a difference homefield or home court advantage may make. Oddsmakers have this factored in on their side, but it’s important for you to consider it as well.

Betting Point Spread College Football

One thing that can be very helpful is finding a set of power rankings that you can trust and use regularly. Power rankings rate the teams in the league from top to bottom and attach a number to each squad which represents their overall strength.

You can then compare these two numbers and account for home advantage. The difference will point you to a reasonable point spread, which you can then compare to the actual spread.

Power rankings can be found on subscription-based sports betting sites, but there are also a number of excellent resources on the interwebs which are completely free.

Afterwards, it’s time to examine the teams on a statistical basis. It’s very easy to get lost down the rabbit hole here, so stick to what really moves the needle when beginning, such as points for and against.

For football, you can also check out yards for and against. In basketball, lean towards things that truly impact the game, such as overall shooting percentage and turnover rates.

Once you have a good handle on examining the basic stats, you can add additional factors to provide a more well-rounded picture.

Last but not least, check out recent form for both sides. Teams go through hot and cold streaks, and current momentum can be a solid guide for what’s to come in the near future.

After you have gone through all of these factors, you can go through your own personal checklist to determine which side is better on all fronts. Taking the time to break down all of these factors should lead you to a choice that you feel comfortable with.

As your experience with handicapping point spreads increases, you may decide to add additional variables to the equation. You can make your own personal system as complex or as simple as you would like.

The choice is completely up to you and what works best for your strategy. As always, the bottom line is what type of process will lead you to positive results more often than not.

Betting Point Spread Pick

The Bottom Line on Point Spreads

Point spreads are most commonly used for betting on basketball or football. Oddsmakers will designate a number for each contest, and bettors will then need to factor that into their handicapping.

Bettors can wager on the favorite minus the points, or the underdog plus the points. If you think of the spread like a potential margin of victory, then that means the favorite needs to win by more than the spread, while the underdog needs to keep the game closer than that.

The standard odds for point spread bets are typically -110, but there will be shifts based on market action or news that develops after lines are released. The spread itself can also shift based on those same factors.

It’s a good idea to track how odds and spreads have moved from the open until the time you are ready to place bets. This can give you a sense of market direction and also help you spot factors you may have missed.

Handicapping point spreads can be confusing at first, but a simple process such as the one outlined in this article can help you get the hang of it quickly. As you move along, you can also personalize the process to better fit your style.

In addition, there are also free and subscription-based resources which provide picks against the spread. If you decide to pursue that path, it’s a good idea to gather multiple sources and attempt to find a consensus.