Spreads takes things a step further than a simple winner/loser selection as a point range is also involved.
Spreads: A Step Further
Spreads takes a look at the competitive nature of a game from a different angle – since there’s a favorite and an underdog, a spread factors in the expectation of a team being more likely to win, so your betting odds are more stable and instead you’re betting on a favorite winning by at least a certain amount, or an underdog winning or losing by less than expected.
So, with spreads, the odds tend to be close to even, such as -110, but a second number appears, such as +5.5 or -3.5. These numbers indicate the number of points a game has to be won or lost by for the wager to be a winning one.
For example, if a game has a team that’s favored to win by 3 ½ points, you will see -3.5, which means the team has to win by more than 3.5 points (so at least 4 points) for the wager to be a winning one. Conversely, the underdog (which will be listed with a +3.5) can lose by less than 3.5 points, or win, for the wager to be successful.
That -110 works just as it would with the odds of a Moneyline bet – if you were to wager $110, you would be paid $100. Fractions still work here, so every $11 wagered would yield a $10 win if the wager is successful.
Since the odds are the same on both sides (with that baked in house advantage since there’s that extra 10 percent or so), the decision shifts to what the outcome of the game could be, hence the spread between the two teams.
Spreads therefore has two numbers you’ll need to pay attention to – one involving how much a favorite has to win by (or an underdog to win or lose less than), along with the odds that will be paid for betting successfully on the right outcome.
Play Online Casinos
New Players Get 1,000 Flex Spins for Select Games, Including 100 Lightning Link Spins (50 Spins per day for 20 days)!
Sign up and choose the bonus that works best for you! The bonuses options vary, and include opportunities for Bonus Spins or Casino Credit!
New players who sign up for BetMGM Casino can Deposit for up to 1,000 Bonus Spins – Take on the Wheel For More!
Play Social Casinos
New players to 88 Fortunes Slots receive 7 billion coins as a thank you for signing up. All slots are unlocked!
New players to Jackpot Party casino slots will receive 1 billion coins for FREE, just for signing up and trying the app!
Get started on Monopoly Slots, and you'll feel like you've passed Go with a 35,500,000 coin welcome bonus!
New players who install the app (mobile) or register (desktop on Facebook) get 6 million coins for signing up!
Online Game Spotlight
Play Online Sportsbooks
New Players to DraftKings can qualify for this offer: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonus Bets (Paid Over 21 Days) + 3 Months NBA League Pass on Us!
Sign Up to FanDuel as a new player and receive a welcome offer: Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days ($50 Bonus Bets per day)!
Sign up for BetMGM to get a welcome offer! The offer varies by state; check out our article to see what's available where you're located.
Social Game Spotlight
