How the point spread works
The favourite is listed with a negative number (-7.5) and the underdog with a positive number (+7.5). The favourite must win by more than the spread; the underdog must lose by less than the spread (or win outright).
Because both sides usually pay around -110 (1.91 decimal), the spread creates a roughly 50/50 bet regardless of how mismatched the teams look on the moneyline.
NFL point spread
NFL is the sport of the point spread. Half-point 'hooks' matter more here than anywhere else because so many games land on key numbers — 3, 7, 10. Moving a line from -3 to -3.5 can flip a game's expected value more than a full point in the NBA.
NBA & basketball point spread
NBA spreads swing widely because pace and blowout potential are much higher than in football. Sharp handicappers focus on rest, pace, injury news and how late-game garbage time affects the cover, not just who wins.
NHL puck line & MLB run line
The NHL puck line is a fixed 1.5-goal spread — the favourite must win by 2+, the underdog covers if they lose by 1 or win outright. Because 1-goal games are so common in hockey, puck-line underdogs are one of the most profitable historical bets in the US market.
MLB uses the same idea as the run line — a fixed 1.5-run spread. Same trade-off: better price on the favourite, but 1-run games happen constantly.
Soccer Asian handicaps
Asian handicaps remove the draw by giving teams fractional head starts (e.g. -0.5, +1.5). Quarter lines like -0.25 or +0.75 split your stake across two half-goal lines, giving you a half-win / half-push outcome — the closest thing football has to insurance.
Handicap vs spread — same idea, different name
'Point spread' is the North American term, 'handicap' is the European/Asian term. The maths is identical: a virtual head start for one side priced at ~50/50 odds. NFL/NBA use whole and half points; soccer uses whole, half and quarter goals.