What Does "Covering the Spread" Mean?
Point spread betting explained with examples
5 min read
The Quick Answer
"Covering the spread" means the team you bet on beat the point handicap.
If Chiefs are -7, they need to win by 8+ to cover. If Bills are +7, they cover by winning outright OR losing by 6 or fewer. The spread creates a level playing field between mismatched teams.
How Point Spreads Work
The point spread is a handicap that levels the betting field. The favorite gives points, the underdog receives points.
Betting the Favorite (-7)
Must win by MORE than 7
• Win by 8+ = Covers
• Win by exactly 7 = Push (bet returned)
• Win by 6 or less = Doesn't cover
Betting the Underdog (+7)
Must NOT lose by more than 7
• Win outright = Covers
• Lose by 1-6 = Covers
• Lose by 8+ = Doesn't cover
Real Example: Chiefs -7 vs Bills +7
Scenario: Final Score Chiefs 28, Bills 24
Chiefs won by 4 points (28 - 24 = 4)
Chiefs -7 bet:
LOSES (needed to win by 8+)
Bills +7 bet:
WINS (lost by less than 7)
Even though the Chiefs won the game, they didn't "cover" the spread. Bills bettors win because the Bills only lost by 4 points, which is less than the 7-point handicap.
Understanding the "Hook" (-7.5)
When you see a half-point like -7.5, that's called the "hook." It eliminates the possibility of a push.
Chiefs -7.5
Must win by 8 or more to cover
Win by 7 = Loses (no push possible)
Bills +7.5
Must not lose by 8 or more
Lose by 7 = Wins (no push possible)
Learn more: The Hook Explained
What Does ATS Mean?
ATS = Against The Spread. It's how often a team covers the spread, which can differ significantly from their win-loss record.
Example: Different Records
Chiefs Record: 12-4 (straight up wins/losses)
Chiefs ATS: 8-8 (times they covered the spread)
A winning team doesn't always cover because spreads adjust for quality. The public often overvalues good teams, making underdogs valuable ATS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does covering the spread mean?
Covering the spread means the team you bet on beat the point spread handicap. A favorite "covers" by winning by more than the spread. An underdog "covers" by winning outright or losing by less than the spread.
What does -7.5 mean in betting?
-7.5 means that team is favored by 7.5 points. To cover, they must win by 8 or more points. The half-point (hook) eliminates the possibility of a push.
What happens if a team wins but doesn't cover?
If you bet on a -7 favorite and they win by only 3 points, you lose your bet. The team won the game but didn't beat the spread (cover). The final score must exceed the handicap.
What does ATS mean in betting?
ATS stands for "Against The Spread." A team's ATS record shows how often they cover the spread, not just win games. A team might be 10-6 straight up but only 7-9 ATS.
Is it better to bet spread or moneyline?
It depends. Spreads typically offer -110 on both sides. Moneylines on favorites require more risk for less reward. Underdog moneylines offer value when teams can win outright. Spreads are better for betting favorites.