How Does Betting On Point Spread Work
- How Betting The Spread Works
- How Point Spreads Work
- How Does Betting On Point Spread Worksheet
- What Is Point Spread Betting
- How Does Betting On Point Spread Works
Spread betting is any of various types of wagering on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple 'win or lose' outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting or parimutuel betting. A spread is a range of outcomes and the bet is whether the outcome will be above or below the spread.
- A Point Spread is a range of numeric outcomes expressed in points and the bet is whether the outcome will be above or below the spread. This is where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple 'win or lose' outcome, such as fixed-odds (or money-line) betting.
- Effectively, that is all you are betting on with point spreads. You are trying to bet which team is going to outperform the sportsbook’s prediction on them. The team doesn’t have to win the game; they only have to not lose as badly as the book thinks they are going to and you will win your bet.

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:

How Betting The Spread Works

How Point Spreads Work
The point spread for Super Bowl XLI was:
How Does Betting On Point Spread Worksheet
Colts –7
Bears +7
What Is Point Spread Betting
The (-) before the 7 indicates that the Colts were the point spread favorites. The (+) indicates that the Bears were the point spread underdogs.
How Does Betting On Point Spread Works
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.