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Point spread explained: how spread betting works

A point spread takes points from the favourite and gives them to the underdog. Set a final score and a spread below to see which side covers and when the bet is a push.

Drag the final scoreExample
Red score24
Blue score20
Red line−3.5
−10−8−6−4−20+2+4+6+8+10
Blue wins by moreRed wins by more

Red won by 4 points. Red covers by winning by 4+ points.

Red −3.5Wins

24 − 3.5 = 20.5 vs 20

$10 at 1.91 → back $19.09

Blue +3.5Loses

20 + 3.5 = 23.5 vs 24

$10 at 1.91 → back $0.00

Example price 1.91 on both sides.

Woman holding two pucks far apart in outstretched hands

Who covers −3.5 and +3.5

Final score (fav–dog)What happenedFavourite −3.5Underdog +3.5
28–20Favourite wins by eightCoversLoses
24–20Favourite wins by fourCoversLoses
23–20Favourite wins by threeLosesCovers
21–20Favourite wins by oneLosesCovers
17–20Underdog wins by threeLosesCovers

Add the spread to the team's final score. The side with more points after that covers. Football example: see Grey Cup and CFL betting.

Favourite vs underdog on the spread

Favourite (minus spread)

  • The spread is subtracted from its score
  • Must win by more than the spread
  • Winning the game is not enough

Underdog (plus spread)

  • The spread is added to its score
  • Covers if it loses by less than the spread
  • Covers if it wins the game
Puck line: who wins at each final marginThe favourite at minus 1.5 wins only if it wins by 2 goals or more. The underdog at plus 1.5 wins if it wins the game or loses by 1 goal.Final margin, from the favourite's sideLosesby 2+Losesby 1Winsby 1Winsby 2Winsby 3+loseslosesloseswinswinsFavourite −1.5winswinswinsloseslosesUnderdog +1.5
The puck line is the hockey spread. −1.5 needs a win by two or more; +1.5 covers every other result, including a one-goal loss.

The cost built into a spread

Book sum = implied % of side A + implied % of side B

Example: Generic example, −110 each side: 52.4% + 52.4% = 104.8%. A $10.00 bet that covers returns $19.09, stake included; in-store PROLINE rounds payouts.

Spread betting terms

Point spread
Points taken from the favourite and added to the underdog. The bet is settled on the adjusted score.
Cover
Your side is ahead after the spread is applied to the final score.
Push
The adjusted score lands exactly on the line. In PROLINE spread offers the bet is void.
Half point
A line like −3.5 or +3.5. A score cannot land on it, so there is no push.
Moneyline
A bet on who wins, with no spread. See Moneyline explained.
Total
A bet on combined points over or under a line. See Over/under explained.

Sources

  • olg.ca /en/proline/proline-game-conditions.html · checked Oct 27, 2026

Questions

What does spread mean in betting?

The spread is a number of points taken from the favourite's score and added to the underdog's. The bet is decided on the adjusted score, not on who wins. More in Sports betting basics.

What does −3.5 mean in a point spread?

The favourite must win by four or more to cover. The underdog at +3.5 covers if it loses by three or less, or wins the game.

What happens if the game lands exactly on the spread?

That is a push. In PROLINE spread offers the bet is declared void: a single is refunded; in a regular parlay the void leg is removed and the stake stays on the shorter parlay. Same Game Parlays and combined props differ.

Is the puck line the same as a point spread?

Yes. In hockey the spread is called the puck line, often ±1.5 goals. See Puck line explained for the math.

How much does spread betting cost?

The cost is the margin built into the prices. For example, at −110 on both sides the implied chances add up to 104.8%; the part above a fair book is the margin.