What is a point spread?

How it works

If you take the favorite at -3.5, it generally needs to win by 4 or more points for that wager to cover. If you take the underdog at +3.5, it can win outright or lose by 3 or fewer and still cover.

What to remember

The spread is not a prediction that the favorite will win by exactly that number. It is a betting line that can move as sportsbooks react to information and the market.

Betting markets are information, not guarantees. Use them as one input when making your own decisions.