What is Point Spread in Sports Betting?

Point Spread Explained in Detail

The point spread and the spread are the same thing. The term point spread is simply the full name, while spread is the shorthand used by bettors and oddsmakers alike. Both refer to the handicap number assigned to equalize betting interest on both sides of a contest.

Oddsmakers set the point spread based on power ratings, historical matchup data, injury reports, home-field advantage, and public betting tendencies. The initial line is called the opening line, and it moves throughout the week as money comes in from bettors. The final number before the game starts is called the closing line.

Professional bettors consider the closing line the most accurate reflection of each team's true chances. Consistently beating the closing line, known as having positive closing line value, is one of the strongest indicators of long-term betting success.

Point spreads are most popular in football and basketball because these sports have higher scores and more varied margins of victory. In lower-scoring sports like hockey and baseball, alternatives like the puck line and run line serve a similar purpose but are fixed at 1.5 rather than varying from game to game.