NFL betting spread odds, also known as point spread betting, is one of the most popular forms of wagering on professional football games. The spread is designed to level the playing field between two teams of different skill levels, making the betting more balanced and attractive to bettors on both sides.
In spread betting, bookmakers assign a point margin to the favored team, which they must win by for bets on them to pay out. Conversely, the underdog team can lose by less than this margin (or win outright) for bets on them to be successful. For example, if the New England Patriots are favored by 7 points (-7) against the Miami Dolphins (+7), the Patriots must win by more than 7 points for bets on them to pay out. Bets on the Dolphins would win if they either win the game outright or lose by less than 7 points.
Typically, the odds for spread bets are close to even money, often set at -110 on both sides. This means a bettor must wager $110 to win $100, with the extra $10 serving as the bookmaker’s commission, also known as the “vig” or “juice.” The point spread can shift leading up to the game based on factors such as team news, injuries, or betting patterns. Skilled bettors often look for value in these movements, sometimes “buying” half-points to adjust the spread slightly in their favor, albeit at a cost of less favorable odds.
