If you’ve ever looked at sports betting odds, you’ve likely come across terms like “spread” or “point spread,” often accompanied by a number, such as -7. If you’re new to sports betting, this might seem confusing. In this blog post, we’ll break down what a spread of -7 means and how it affects your bets.
What Is a Point Spread?
A point spread is a way for sportsbooks to level the playing field between two teams, especially when one team is favored to win by a significant margin. Instead of simply betting on which team will win, point spreads allow you to bet on the margin of victory. The spread is the number of points a team is either expected to win by (the favorite) or lose by (the underdog).
What Does a Spread of -7 Mean?
When you see a team with a spread of -7, it means that team is favored to win by 7 points. To win a bet on the favorite, the team needs to win the game by more than 7 points. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- If the favored team wins by more than 7 points: Your bet on the favorite wins.
- If the favored team wins by exactly 7 points: The bet results in a push, and your original wager is returned.
- If the favored team wins by fewer than 7 points or loses: Your bet on the favorite loses.
For example, if the Dallas Cowboys have a spread of -7 against the New York Giants, and the final score is Cowboys 28, Giants 20, the Cowboys won by 8 points—so your bet would win. If the final score was Cowboys 27, Giants 21, the Cowboys only won by 6 points, which means they didn’t cover the spread, and you’d lose the bet.
Why Do Sportsbooks Use Point Spreads?
Sportsbooks use point spreads to make betting more interesting and competitive. Without a spread, most people would simply bet on the team that’s expected to win (the favorite), which would create uneven betting patterns. By adding a point spread, sportsbooks balance the bets by giving underdogs a chance and making it harder for favorites to cover.
How to Bet on a Spread of -7?
When betting on a team with a -7 spread, keep in mind the following:
- Bet on the favorite (-7): You’re betting that the team will win by more than 7 points.
- Bet on the underdog (+7): If you’re betting on the underdog, they can either win the game outright or lose by fewer than 7 points for you to win your bet.
Push in Spread Betting
If a game ends with the favorite winning by exactly the spread (in this case, 7 points), it’s called a push. In this scenario, no one wins or loses the bet, and you simply get your money back.
Conclusion
A spread of -7 means that the favored team needs to win by more than 7 points for your bet to win. It’s an essential concept to understand when placing bets on sports, as it impacts how you approach betting on favorites and underdogs. Whether you’re new to sports betting or looking to refine your strategy, knowing how point spreads work will help you make more informed bets.
