Point Spread Betting Explained
Point spread betting evens out matchups by giving the underdog a head-start in points. The favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog wins the bet by losing by less than the spread or by winning outright. Point spread juice is typically -110, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.
Example
The half-point in -7.5 eliminates the possibility of a push (a tie that refunds the bet). Whole-number spreads like -7 can push if the final margin lands exactly on the spread.
When to Use It
- You think the favorite will win, but not by the listed margin
- You believe the underdog will keep the game close
- In high-scoring sports like NFL and NBA where spreads are wide
- For Ohio State games where the moneyline is too short to be useful
Common Pitfalls
- Key numbers in NFL (3, 7, 10, 14) make half-point movement extremely valuable — buying through the 3 is rarely worth the price
- Live spread betting can be deceptive when one team has scored quickly
- Avoid teasing across 0 (e.g., -2.5 to +3.5) without understanding correlated probabilities
NFL spreads in Ohio can move 0.5 to 1.5 points between sportsbooks. Always shop the line at DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 — landing on +7 instead of +6.5 wins you back-door pushes that meaningfully change long-term ROI.
FAQ
What does -3.5 mean?
The team is favored by 3.5 points. They must win the game by 4 or more points for a -3.5 bet to cash.
What is a push in spread betting?
A push happens when the final margin lands exactly on the spread (e.g., a -7 favorite wins by exactly 7). Pushes refund the original wager.
Why is the spread juice -110 instead of even?
The 10-cent juice is the sportsbook's commission. Sharp Ohio bettors look for reduced-juice promos at -105 or +100 to maximize long-term value.
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