In betting, understanding the point spread is crucial. The spread aims to level the playing field between two teams of different skill levels by creating a point differential. When you bet on the favorite, they must win by a margin greater than the spread for your bet to succeed. Conversely, if you bet on the underdog, they must either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.
- The Spread: A numerical value set by bookmakers.
- Favorite: The team expected to win, marked with a minus (-) sign.
- Underdog: The team expected to lose, marked with a plus (+) sign.
- Covering the Spread: The favorite wins by more than the spread; the underdog loses by less or wins outright.
Understanding these elements is vital for successful sports betting.
