Football Point Spreads

What a Point Spread Is

A point spread is a handicap that makes an uneven game an even bet. The favourite is given a number of points to cover, and the underdog is given the same number as a head start. You are not just betting on who wins. You are betting on whether the winner wins by enough.

Reading the Notation

Suppose a game is listed with Team A at -3.5 and Team B at +3.5. This is a hypothetical example. A bet on Team A wins only if Team A wins by four points or more. A bet on Team B wins if Team B wins outright or loses by three points or fewer. The minus sign marks the favourite, the plus sign the underdog.

Whole Numbers and Pushes

If the line is a whole number, say -3, and the favourite wins by exactly three, the bet is a push. Most sportsbooks refund a push, though the house rules at each one are the final word. Half-point lines such as -3.5 cannot push, which is why bettors pay close attention to them.

The Price on a Spread

Spreads normally carry a price as well as a number, often -110 on both sides as an illustration. At -110 you risk 110 to win 100. To break even you must win 110 divided by 210 of your bets, which is about 52.4%. Because both sides imply that figure, the pair adds up to about 104.8%, and the extra 4.8% is the sportsbook’s margin. Nothing in a spread price promises that you are getting a bargain.

Key Numbers in Football

Football scores come in chunks. Field goals are worth 3, and a touchdown with an extra point is worth 7, so final margins of 3 and 7 occur often in the NFL. A move from -3 to -3.5 or from -6.5 to -7 changes the value of a bet more than a move between less common numbers. In the CFL, single-point rouges and a different scoring pattern mean those numbers are less dependable, and each league should be read on its own terms.

Why a Line Moves

A line moves when the sportsbook sees new information or lopsided betting. A starting quarterback ruled out, a change in forecast or a large bet from a respected bettor can all shift it. If you take a number early and the line later moves in your favour, the market has effectively agreed with you, but it is not proof that your bet will win.

Alternate Spreads

Some books offer alternate spreads, where you buy or sell points for a changed price. Taking the underdog at a bigger number costs a little more per bet. Laying fewer points on a favourite pays a smaller return. The arithmetic is the same as above, so work out the implied probability before you accept it.

Overtime and Rules to Check

Check whether overtime counts toward the spread, because it usually does for football but house rules differ. Also check what happens if a game is abandoned or shortened. These rules are in the sportsbook’s terms, not on this page.

Where to Go Next

Put the arithmetic to work on CFL betting and NFL betting, or read the article how football point spreads work for more examples. Spreads move fastest during a game, which is the subject of live football betting. You must be 19 or older, or 18 or older in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and the responsible gambling page lists support if you need it.