Gambling Spread
Point spread betting is the most popular form of sports betting. The vast majority of sports wagers use a point spread thanks to the popularity of football and basketball. Even though this type of betting is so popular, it may take awhile to understand.
Odds Shark aims to become the global authority for online sports betting odds, whether it be in sports betting, poker, casino games or horse racing. To that end, it continues to add new football betting lines for NFL fans and new college football odds. Betting “against the spread” (ATS) just means you’re betting on the point spread in a particular matchup as opposed to the moneyline, or some other type of wager. Bettors often use a team’s ATS record to gauge its performance against the spread.
The point spread is sometimes known as an equalizer for sportsbook operators. All teams aren’t created equally, so sportsbooks can create a point spread for a game so that each team playing has an almost even chance of winning the game. In a way, the point spread will even the field for both teams.
The point spread gives a reason for bettors to risk money on both teams. The better team playing in the game is considered favorite. They have to win by the point spread offered by the sportsbook. The favorite in a game is listed as being minus (-) the point spread.
The worse of the teams playing in the game is called the underdog. The bettor wins if this team wins the game outright or loses by an amount smaller than the point spread. The underdog in a game is listed as being plus (+) the point spread.
Let’s use NFL Week 15’s Steelers versus Bengals game as an example.
Using this example, the Steelers opened as 12.5 point favorites over the Bengals at most sportsbooks. The Steelers need to win by 13 or more points to cover the spread.
Likewise, the Bengals opened as 12.5-point underdogs. That means the Bengals would need to win the game outright or not lose the contest by 13 points or more. If the line is Steelers -13 and they win by exactly 13 points, the betting result is a “push” and bettors for both sides would get their wagers refunded.
ALSO READ: NFL Power Rankings for Week 15
Point spread betting odds
Point spreads are usually set with -110 odds, but pricing often fluctuates at online sportsbooks. This is the sportsbook operators’ house edge. The odds guarantee the sportsbook operator will see a little money over time. When the odds are set at -110, the bettor must wager $110 to win $100 (or $11 to win $10).
The odds on a point spread are most commonly known as the vigorish or “vig” for the sportsbook. You might hear this small profit margin for the sportsbook called the “juice” by some sports bettors.
Point spread FAQs
What does ‘pick em’ or ‘pick’ mean in NFL betting?
A “pick em” (sometimes seen as “pick”) is when the teams have a point spread of zero, meaning neither team is favored. In this instance, you’re essentially picking moneyline and your bet will be determined on the winner alone.
What does -7 and +7 mean in NFL betting?
A spread of minus-seven (-7) means that a is favored to win the game by a touchdown (technically, a touchdown and the extra point). A team favored by -7 must win the game by eight or more points to win the bet. If the team wins by seven, the result is a “push” and the bet is refunded.
A spread of +7 means the team must win the game or lose by fewer than seven points to win the bet. A loss by seven would result in a push.
What does -3 and +3 mean in NFL betting?
A -3 spread means that the favorite must win by more than a field goal to win the wager. A three-point win would result in a push and the sportsbook would refund the wager.
A spread of +3 means the team listed as the underdog must win the game or lose by fewer than three points to cash the bet. A three-point loss would be graded as a push by the sportsbook and the bet would be refunded.
Why are point spreads in the NFL so much lower than in college?
In 2019, the Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in point differential per game at +13.7 points; the Miami Dolphins ranked last in the NFL in point differential per game at -11.7. Even Kansas City– known for their explosive offense– had an average point differential in 2019 of just 9.7 points. The net point differential in the NFL is -14.1, or -0.9 points per game. Basically, the talent differential in the NFL is so minute that even mismatched teams often draw games within a score of each other.
NFL spreads are most commonly between one point and four, with six being a heavy favorite and extremes coming out around 15-20 point favors. (For those wondering, the 1941 Chicago Bears hold the NFL record of point differential at +15.7 points per game. Conversely, Ohio State had a +33.1 average point differential in 2019.)
Point spread and odds movement
Sportsbook operators often aim to have equal money on both sides of a point spread. When the money is exactly split the sportsbook operator will see the exact vigorish as their profit margin. If all things are equal over time this will maximize how much money the sportsbook operator can make.
In an effort to have equal money on both sides of a wager, the sportsbook operator will move the point spread to attract money on the side that customers aren’t betting on. The odds for a point spread might change before the actual point spread. There are certain point spread numbers, like 3 and 7 in football, the sportsbook operators would like to avoid moving away from since the final score margin falls on these two numbers most often.
For example, if a lot more money is wagered on the New England Patriots -3, the vig may shift from -112 to -115 and -120 before the line moves to -3.5.
Run and puck lines
Football and basketball games are mostly bet using a point spread. The less popular major sports, baseball and hockey, are mostly bet using a moneyline. In an effort to make baseball and hockey more appealing to point spread bettors, the sportsbook operators offer run and puck lines, respectively.
These alternative lines give point spread bettors a chance to wager on other sports using a more familiar method of betting. Since points (runs and goals) aren’t as easy to come by in baseball and hockey, the odds with the lines may have a wider spread than a football or basketball game.
Get your bet slips ready, it’s another round of NFL odds, lines and spreads for each NFL Week 14 matchup, including special BetMGM Sportsbook offers, promotions and price boosts for Indiana, Colorado, New Jersey, Tennessee and West Virginia sports bettors.
How to bet on NFL
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Betting 101: How to bet on the NFL for beginnersBetting 101: What is a money line bet in sports betting?Sports Betting 101: What is a point spread in sports betting?Betting 101: What is over under sports betting?Sports Betting 101: What does -200 in sports betting mean?Week 14 NFL Betting Promotion Offer!
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Week 14 NFL odds, lines, spreads and picks
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars odds
Titans vs. Jaguars Spread: Titans 7.5-point favoriteTitans vs. Jaguars Money Line: Titans -350, Jaguars +280Titans vs. Jaguars Over/Under: 52.5 pointsSpecial Tennessee Betting Promotion: Make any $1 bet on the Tennessee Titans, GET $100 (in free bets) in your account. Regardless of how the Titans do this week, you win! Bet now!Special Tennessee Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Tennessee Titans money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) in your account if Titans RB Derrick Henry rushes for at least 10 yards during this week’s matchup. Bet now!Also see: Titans Week 14 prop bets
Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals odds
Cowboys vs. Bengals Spread: Cowboys 3-point favoriteCowboys vs. Bengals Money Line: Cowboys -165, Bengals +140Cowboys vs. Bengals Over/Under: 42.5 pointsArizona Cardinals at New York Giants odds
Cardinals vs. Giants Spread: Cardinals 2.5-point favoriteCardinals vs. Giants Money Line: Cardinals -155, Giants +130Cardinals vs. Giants Over/Under: 47.5 pointsSpecial New Jersey Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the New York Giants money line, win an additional $100 (in free bets) if the Giants score a touchdown this weekend! Bet now!Also see: 5 New York Giants prop predictions for Week 14
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears odds
Texans vs. Bears Spread: Texans 1.5-point favoriteTexans vs. Bears Money Line: Texans -125, Bears +105Texans vs. Bears Over/Under: 46.5 pointsDenver Broncos at Carolina Panthers odds
Broncos vs. Panthers Spread: Panthers 3.5-point favoriteBroncos vs. Panthers Money Line: Panthers -200, Broncos +165Broncos vs. Panthers Over/Under: 44.5 pointsSpecial Colorado Betting Promotion: Make any $1 bet on the Denver Broncos, GET $100 (in free bets) in your account. Regardless of how the Broncos do this week, you win! Bet now!Special Colorado Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Broncos money line this week, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Broncos QB Drew Lock completes a pass during the game. Bet now!Also see: 5 Denver Broncos prop predictions for Week 14
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds
Vikings vs. Buccaneers Spread: Bucs 7-point favoriteVikings vs. Buccaneers Money Line: Buccaneers -350, Vikings +270Vikings vs. Buccaneers Over/Under: 52.5 pointsSpecial NFL Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if Buccaneers QB Tom Brady throws a touchdown pass this week. Bet now!Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins odds
Chiefs vs. Dolphins Spread: Chiefs 7-point favoriteChiefs vs. Dolphins Money Line: Chiefs -350, Dolphins +290Chiefs vs. Dolphins Over/Under: 51.5 pointsIndianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders odds
Colts vs. Raiders Spread: Colts 3-point favoriteColts vs. Raiders Money Line: Colts -165, Raiders +140Colts vs. Raiders Over/Under: 52.5 pointsSpecial Indiana Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Indianapolis Colts money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if the Colts score a touchdown this weekend. Bet now!Special Indiana Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Indianapolis Colts money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if PK Rodrigo Blankenship scores a single point in this week’s matchup. Bet now!Also see: 5 Indianapolis Colts prop predictions for Week 14
New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks odds
Jets vs. Seahawks Spread: Seahawks 15-point favoriteJets vs. Seahawks Money Line: Seahawks -1100, Jets +700Jets vs. Seahawks Over/Under: 47.5 pointsSpecial New Jersey Betting Promotion: Make any $1 bet on the New York Jets, GET $100 (in free bets) in your account. Regardless of how the Jets do this week, you win! Bet now!Also see: 5 New York Jets prop predictions for Week 14
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions odds
Packers vs. Lions Spread: Packers 9-point favorite/SportsBetting-58d2b6195f9b584683b46637.jpg "Spread")
Packers vs. Lions Money Line: Packers -450, Lions +350Packers vs. Lions Over/Under: 54.5 pointsAttention Michigan Residents:BetMGM is coming to Michigan! Register now and get a $200 Welcome Bonus that can be used the instant BetMGM goes live in Michigan. Register now and cash in! Terms and conditions apply.Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Chargers odds
Falcons vs. Chargers Spread: Chargers 1-point favorite (line flipped; Falcons were 2.5-point favorite Friday)Falcons vs. Chargers Money Line: Falcons -105, Chargers -110Falcons vs. Chargers Over/Under: 48.5 pointsNew Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles odds
Saints vs. Eagles Spread: Saints 7.5-point favoriteSaints vs. Eagles Money Line: Saints -400, Eagles +310Saints vs. Eagles Over/Under: 42.5 pointsWashington Football Team at San Francisco 49ers odds
Washington vs. 49ers Spread: 49ers 3-point favoriteWashington vs. 49ers Money Line: 49ers -155, Washington +135Washington vs. 49ers Over/Under: 43.5 pointsPittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills odds
Steelers vs. Bills Spread: Bills 1.5-point favoriteSteelers vs. Bills Money Line: Bills -135, Steelers +115Steelers vs. Bills Over/Under: 48.5 pointsSpecial CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV Promotion: Bet $1 on either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Buffalo Bills money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team scores a touchdown during their Sunday Night matchup. Bet now!Special New Jersey and West Virginia Betting Promotion: Bet $1 on the Pittsburgh Steelers money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if the Steelers score a touchdown this week! Bet now!Also see: 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills SNF predictions
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Ravens vs. Browns Spread: Ravens 3-point favoriteRavens vs. Browns Money Line: Ravens -160, Browns +135Ravens vs. Browns Over/Under: 45.5 pointsSpecial CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV Promotion: Bet $1 on either the Baltimore Ravens or Cleveland Browns money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team scores a touchdown during their Monday Night Football matchup. Bet now!Gambling Spread
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Also see: NFL Picks against the spread Week 14 (List Wire)
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