The Definitive Guide to Point Spread Betting – How to Place a Point Spread Bet

One of the most popular ways to bet on sports, point spread betting offer sports fans a chance at achieving consistent returns by offering equal odds for both sides of nearly any sports event. A point spread compensates for the relative strength of each opponent by assigning odds and a handicap that equalize the chances of winning. When betting against the spread, one team is required to win by a predetermined margin of victory over a weaker opponent. Great for both single-game betting and parlay betting, point spreads keep the game interesting even in a lopsided matchup. 

Check out our list of the top point spread betting sites in Canada.

In This Guide

Best Sites For Point Spread Betting In Canada

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What Is Point Spread Betting?

Point spread betting is a form of wagering that assigns a handicap to equalize the probability of both sides winning a match.

A point spread bet is a wager on the final result of a match that requires one team to win the game by a certain margin of victory, determined by the oddsmakers.

To learn more about how point spread betting works, including how to read a sports betting point spread, scroll down below. 

How Does Point Spread Betting Work?

Common to sports like football and basketball, point spread betting sets a handicap to equalize the wagering odds for both sides of a contest. 

In point spread betting, the oddsmakers designate one team as the favorite by using the minus sign (-) followed by the number of points that the team must win by for a bet to be settled as a winner. 

On the other hand, the underdog is represented by a plus sign (+). 

When picking the favourite, the team must win by more than the projected number for the bet to be settled as a winner. If the underdog is selected, the team must win outright or lose by less than the projected margin of defeat for the bet to win. 

How To Read A Point Spread

Reading a point spread can be confusing for sports fans that have never bet on the game. At the best betting sites in Canada, the point spread, along with the odds for each side, can be found next to both teams.

For example, if you see a plus sign (+8.0), it means that the Utah Jazz come into a game as eight-point favourites over, let’s say, the Atlanta Hawks.

That means that Utah will have to win the game by at least nine points for a point spread bet to be settled as a winner. In this case, winning by eight points would constitute a push, which would give bettors their money back on a point spread wager. 

On the other hand, bettors that selected the Hawks to cover the spread would need Atlanta to win the game outright or lose by seven points or fewer for the bet to be settled as a win.  Similarly, a loss of exactly eight point would be settled as a push and give bettors their money back.

The Different Types Of Point Spread Bets

While point spreads may vary at different sportsbooks, sports fans can find point spread bets for nearly every sport. Sports bettors can find point spreads in the game lines, first-half lines, and quarter lines for every game. When wagering on the first half spread or quarter spread, bettors only have to cover the spread until the end of a certain period.

To learn more about the different types of point spread bets, read on below. 

Point Spread

Placing a bet on the point spread is a wager on the full-time result. When betting on the point spread for a game, the selection must have covered the projected number at the end of the game, according to the official results. In baseball and hockey, bettors can find point spreads under the run line or puck line betting options. 

Half Time Point Spread

Sports fans can also bet on halftime game lines, including point spreads, for nearly every contest. When betting on the halftime point spread, the selection only has to be covering the number at the end of the first half to have the bet settled as a winner. In baseball, the halftime point spread is called the five-inning run line. 

Quarter Point Spread

In addition to halftime lines, the best online sportsbook also offer point spread betting options for every quarter. Basketball and football bettors can place bets on a team to cover the spread in each individual quarter.

 In baseball, bettors have access to 3-inning, 5-inning, and 7-inning run line options. Meanwhile, in hockey, bettors can wager on the puck line in every period.

Which Sports Offer Point Spreads Betting?

Types of Point Spread Betting Sports

Point spread betting works a little bit differently, depending on the sports. In some sports, like baseball and hockey, the point spread may go by a different name. Run line betting and puck line betting are types of point spread bets that sports fans can capitalize on.

Below, we’ll break down how point spread betting works in each of the four major sports. 

Football Point Spread

When it comes to betting on football, point spread betting is the most popular option. When betting on the point spread at NFL betting sites, the favourite is assigned a handicap and must cover the spread in order for the bet to be settled as a winner. The best online gambling sites in Canada offer point spreads for NFL, college football, and CFL games.

NFL Point Spread Bets

The NFL is a point spread betting sport, meaning that the oddsmakers use point spreads to even out the odds for betting on both sides of the game. With some much variance on a weekly and yearly basis, NFL point spreads can be difficult to handicap, which leaves the sportsbooks vulnerable on some events. 

When it comes to betting against the point spread, the Super Bowl is the sporting event that draws the biggest betting handle. While the point spread for NFL games is usually fairly low, there have been some lopsided matchups. For reference, the largest point spread in Super Bowl history is 18 points. It happened twice, in Super Bowl 3 (Colts-Jets) and Super Bowl 29 (49ers-Chargers). 

NCAA Football Point Spread Bets

Like the NFL, NCAA football also uses points spreads to even up the odds. In order to compensate for the gap in the competition, NCAA point spreads tend to be set at much higher numbers than in the NFL. 

College football fans will also notice a much larger list of games to bet on. There are 130 FBS teams and 125 FCS teams, giving fans betting on NCAA football a chance to exploit point spreads and other inefficiencies in the market.

Basketball Point Spread 

For fans that want to bet on basketball, point spreads offer a chance to cash in on odds for their favourite teams. Like in other sports, a point spread in basketball requires teams to win by a certain number of points for a bet to be settled as a winner. The best betting sites in Canada offer odds on NBA, NCAA college basketball, Euro League, and more.

NBA Point Spread Bets

In the NBA, point spread bets are the most common wagering option for basketball fans. NBA fans can bet on point spreads to There are several runs and momentum swings during a game in the NBA, so point spreads can move considerably during in-play events.

College Basketball Point Spread Bets

When betting on NCAA basketball, point spreads allow basketball fans to bet on teams that would otherwise be heavy favourites. Like in college football, there will be a long list of NCAA point spreads for basketball bettors to choose from. NCAA basketball point spreads can also be much larger than those found in NBA games. During March Madness, point spreads are used by sports fans of all experience levels as a crutch to help fill out their brackets. 

Hockey Point Spread

In hockey, a point spread is also called the puck line. Puck line betting gives hockey fans access to increased odds, which can make it an attractive betting option. When betting on the puck line, a hockey team must win by two goals or more to cover -1.5 on the puck line. On the other hand, the underdog would have to win outright or lose by just one goal to cover +1.5 on the puck line.

NHL Point Spread 

In the NHL, point spreads come in the form of puck lines. Puck line betting can be an attractive betting option for hockey fans that want to boost their odds. In the NHL, most teams tend to pull their goalies when trailing late in a contest, opening up a free opportunity for an empty-net goal. This makes NHL puck line betting even more attractive to bettors that have ice in their veins. 

Baseball Point Spread

When betting on baseball, a point spread is also called a run line. Run line betting is fairly common in baseball, especially when betting on heavy favourites. When betting on the run line, a team must win by two runs or more to cover the -1.5 run line. Similarly, when betting on the underdog to cover the run line, a team would have to win outright or lose by only one run to cover +1.5 on the run line. At the top new online casinos, bettors can find baseball point spreads for the world’s best baseball leagues, including the MLB, KBO, and more.

MLB Point Spread

In the MLB, point spreads can be found in the run line section of most sportsbooks. Run line betting forces a team to win or lose by 1.5 runs, improving the odds for betting on favourites against weaker opponents. 

Points Spread Odds vs. True Odds

When bettors make a point spread bet, they have to accept some juice from the sportsbooks. This makes the point spread odds differ from the true probability of a bet winning. 

Below, we’ll break down how the probability of winning a point spread bet changes in comparison to the odds offered by most sportsbooks. In the chart below, we’ll assume that each bet comes with the standard -110 or 1.90 odds and that each outcome has an equal 50 percent chance of winning. 

Point Spread Odds vs. True Odds Chart

Number of Point Spread Selections

Approximate Parlay Odds 

(@ -110 or 1.90)

Implied Probability Percentage True Probability
Percentage
Fair Odds
Single Game Point Spread Bet 1.90 52.63% 50%

2.00

2 Team Point Spread Bet

3.64  27.40% 25% 4.00
3 Team Point Spread Bet 6.96 14.35% 12.50%

8.00

4 Team Point Spread Bet

13.28 7.53% 6.25% 16.00
5 Team Point Spread Bet 25.35 3.94% 3.13%

32.00

6 Team Point Spread Bet

48.41 2.07% 1.56% 64.00
7 Team Point Spread Bet 92.42 1.08% 0.78%

128.00

8 Team Point Spread Bet

176.44 0.57% 0.39% 256.00
9 Team Point Spread Bet 336.85 0.30% 0.20%

512.00

10 Team Point Spread Bet

643 0.16% 0.10% 1,024
11 Team Point Spread Bet 1,227.70 0.08% 0.05%

2,048

12 Team Point Spread Bet

2,343.79 0.04% 0.025% 4,096
13 Team Point Spread Bet 4,474.51 0.02% 0.0125%

8,192

14 Team Point Spread Bet

8,542.25 0.01% 0.00625% 16,384
15 Team Point Spread Bet 16,307.94 0.006% 0.003125%

32,768

 

Point Spread Payout

Point spread payouts depend on the odds that are associated with the point spread for both sides. When making point spread picks, the best betting apps in Canada will automatically calculate the point spread payout for each bet. 

While that’s the easiest way to calculate a point spread payout, there are times when bettors will want to calculate their payouts manually. To determine the payout of a point spread bet, sports fans can simply multiply the amount of their wager by the amount of their bet. 

How To Convert American Odds To Decimal Odds

This process can be a little more complicated for members that prefer using American odds. 

To make things easier, Canadians can change the way that odds are shown by switching the odds display to a decimal format in their sportsbook settings. Bettors can also convert American odds into decimal odds using the formulas below: 

For underdogs:

(American odds / 100) + 1 = decimal odds

For favorites:

(100 / American odds) + 1 = decimal odds

Once the odds have been converted into a decimal format, calculating the total odds and total return of a point spread bet is simple. 

Just multiply the odds for each selection together to find the total odds for the point spread bet. Then, multiply the total odds by the bet amount to calculate the total return.

How To Convert American Odds To Decimal Odds

Bet Type

How To Calculate Decimal Odds

🐶 Underdogs (+) (American odds / 100) + 1 = decimal odds
🏆 Favourites (-) (100 / American odds) + 1 = decimal odds

 

Basketball Point Spread Explained:

When betting on a basketball game, fans will often see one team favoured to win by a certain number of points. 

Below, we’ll use an example of an NBA game to explain how basketball point spreads work and how to calculate the payout of a point spread bet.

Basketball Point Spread Example:

Underneath the point spread for both teams, members can find the odds for each selection. While most point spread bets have equal odds for both outcomes, there are times when the odds will be slightly offset as well. 

In the example above, bettors can receive 1.92 odds for betting on the Utah Jazz to win by eight points or more against the Atlanta Hawks. On the other hand, selecting the Hawks would net bettors 1.90 odds.  On a $100 wager, this would amount to a difference of about $2 in profits.

Placing a $100 bet on Utah to cover the spread would earn basketball fans a total return of $192 or $92 in profits. Similarly, a $100 wager on Atlanta to cover the spread would generate a $190 return or $90 in profits on a winning bet. 

Point Spread Payout Calculator

Betting against the spread often generates odds of 1.90 or -110, which can make single-game betting less enticing for recreational bettors. For sports fans that want to win big, combining two or more point spread selections into a parlay bet can generate a bigger payout.

Point spread parlays are common in sports like basketball and football, where most teams are not evenly matched on a game-by-game basis. NFL point spread and NBA point spread bettors often use parlay betting to their advantage when placing point spread bets. 

In places like Ontario and British Columbia, parlay betting has been offered since 1985. However, Pro-Line point spread payouts simply don’t offer the same value as the best online sportsbooks.

In the chart below, we’ll compare the OLG point spread payouts with point spread payouts from the new sports betting sites in Canada.

Point Spread Calculator Chart –
Comparing OLG Point Spread Payouts With The Best Online Sportsbooks

Number of Point Spread Bets Pro-Line Point Spread Odds Pro-Line Point Spread Payouts
(on a $100 wager)
Pro-Line Point Spread Profit
(on a $100 wager)
Point Spread Parlay Odds 

(@ -110 or 1.90)

Point Spread Payouts
(on a $100 wager)

Point Spread Profit
(on a $100 wager)

2 Team Point Spread Bet

2.00 $200 $100 3.64  $364  $264 
3 Team Point Spread Bet 5.00 $500 $400 6.96 $696

$596

4 Team Point Spread Bet

10.00 $1,000 $900 13.28 $1,328 $1,228
5 Team Point Spread Bet 20.00 $2,000 $1,900 25.35 $2,535

$2,435

6 Team Point Spread Bet

35.00 $3,500 $3,400 48.41 $4,841 $4,741
7 Team Point Spread Bet 75.00 $7,500 $7,400 92.42 $9,242

$9,142

8 Team Point Spread Bet

150.00 $15,000 $14,900 176.44 $17,644 $17,544
9 Team Point Spread Bet 300.00 $30,000 $29,900 336.85 $33,685

$33,585

10 Team Point Spread Bet

400.00 $40,000 $39,900 643 $64,300 $64,200
11 Team Point Spread Bet 600.00 $60,000 $59,900 1,227.70 $122,770

$122,670

12 Team Point Spread Bet

1,000.00 $100,000 $99,990 2,343.79 $234,379 $234,279
13 Team Point Spread Bet N/A N/A N/A 4,474.51 $447,451

$447,351

14 Team Point Spread Bet

N/A N/A N/A 8,542.25 $854,225 $854,125
15 Team Point Spread Bet N/A N/A N/A 16,307.94 $163,0794

$1,630,694

 

Ranking The Best Point Spread Betting Sites In Canada

Want to take advantage of the best point spreads and start winning real money online?

Scroll down below for a quick summary of the top 10 point spread betting sites in Canada and what they have to offer.

  1. BodogEarly Game Lines and Competitive Point Spreads
  2. Sports Interaction – Competitive NFL point spreads and point spread betting contests
  3. PowBet – Great Point Spreads, Bonus Cash Back, and Sports Betting Jackpots
  4. FezBet – Excellent Point Spreads and Sports Betting Promotions

The Best Point Spread Betting Site In Canada

In Canada, point spread betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on the game. Unlike Pro-Line and other provincial gambling sites, the best online sportsbooks in Canada offer the best game lines and point spreads for all sports. Members can also take advantage of generous welcome bonus offers and essential features, like cash-out options.

Below, we’ll review the top sports betting site in Canada for point spread betting and let bettors know what it has to offer.

1. Bodog – Early Game Lines and Competitive Point Spreads 

New betting sites in Canada offer free spins and bonus cash

One of the best point spread betting sites, Bodog offers competitive game lines and point spreads for all sports. New members can sign up to Bodog Sports to receive a welcome bonus offer of up to $400, plus 50 free spins. 

At Bodog, members can cash in on essential features, including cash out and props builder options, along with the ability to tease point spread bets. Bodog also allows members to request odds for custom bets with #NameYourPlay. 

Bodog Sportsbook Review – 

Early Game Lines and Competitive Point Spreads

Pros

Cons

✅ Competitive odds for game lines, props, and futures markets in all sports  ❌ In-play betting experience is not as smooth as top competitors
✅ Trusted brand with great features and modern design ❌ No mobile app 
✅ Welcome bonus of up to $400 plus 50 free spins
✅ Make custom bets with #NameYourPlay and Props Builder options

Welcome Bonus Offer:

Bodog offers new sports bettors a 100 percent deposit bonus of up to $400, plus 50 free spins.

To sign up to Bodog and claim your bonus offer, click below.

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How To Place A Point Spread Bet

The best online gambling sites in Canada make it easy to place a point spread bet. Once members have signed up, they can find point spreads for matches in the world’s most popular sports leagues. Bettors can take advantage of the pre-game lines or cash in on live point spreads with in-play bets. 

To learn more about how to place a point spread bet online, check out our step-by-step guide below. 

Step 1: Browse Through The Betting Markets

Once logged in, members can browse through the sports betting markets to find the list of events that they are interested in betting on. Members can search through different sports or use the search function to find different matches and events.

Step 2: Make A Selection

To place a point spread bet, members must select a team to win by the projected total determined by the oddsmakers. Simply click on the odds for the selection to make a pick and it will be added to the bet slip.

At most sportsbooks, choosing a selection will automatically add it to the bet slip.

Step 3: Open The Bet Slip

After members have made their selections, they will need to open the bet slip. Some sportsbooks, like Bodog, offer quick betting options and will open the bet slip automatically.

Step 4: Enter The Bet Amount

Next, members will need to enter the amount of their wager. The total return or profits from their bet will be shown at the bottom of the bet slip. 

Simply enter the bet amount next to the appropriate betting option.

Step 5: Place The Bet

Now, members are ready to place their first point spread bet. To submit the wager, click “Place Bet” at the bottom of the bet slip. 

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Advantages Of Point Spread Betting

No matter the sport, point spread betting gives fans access to competitive odds for betting on both sides of nearly any matchup. With nearly a 50 percent chance of winning any bet, point spreads allow sports fans to win bets more often.

There is also an added incentive to bet on either side of the match. Point spreads give bettors access to increased odds when betting on favourites while underdog bettors get extra points as an advantage.

While the final result of most contests is decided well before the final whistle or buzzer, point spread bets can often come down to the waning moments of a contest, giving bettors more bang for their buck in terms of entertainment value. 

The Advantages Of Point Spread Betting 

💰 Win bets more often
🎲 Nearly a 50/50 chance of winning 
🏆 Increased odds for betting favourites 
🐶 Get points for betting underdogs
💲 Better entertainment value

 

Disadvantages Of Point Spread Betting

Like all types of sports betting, betting against the spread isn’t easy. Involving another variable, like the margin of victory, into the equation opens bettors up to more variance. 

Since both sides technically have the same chance of covering the spread, point spread bets can be difficult to win, especially over the long run. In fact, a single-game point spread bettor would have to win about 53 percent of the time to earn a profit. 

Betting against the spread can also make it difficult to find a long-term edge. While there are times where the oddsmakers set vulnerable game lines and point spreads, the window of opportunity for capitalizing on these inefficiencies is very small. As the sportsbooks begin to adjust, edges against the spread tend to disappear over time. 

This applies when betting on a single game and over the course of a full season.

The Disadvantages Of Point Spread Betting 

❌ Difficult to win
👎 Hard to remain profitable
🎲 Winning by a certain margin increases overall variance
📉 Edges tend to disappear over time

 

How To Win A Point Spread Bet

With equal odds on both sides, betting against the spread is all about finding value against the number set by the oddsmakers. To win a point spread bet, the selected team must win by at least the predetermined number of points set by the oddsmakers. 

Below, we’ll help sports fans understand what it takes to win a point

1. Place A Point Spread Bet

When it comes to sports betting and other forms of gambling, members can only win if they play. The first step to winning a point spread bet is placing a wager on the point spread of a match. While basketball and football are common point spread betting sports, sports fans can find point spread odds for all matches in major sports leagues. 

2. Win By The Predetermined Margin Of Victory

To win a point spread bet, the selection must win or lose by a certain margin of victory. 

When selecting the favourite to cover the spread, bettors will need to win by at least the projected number of points set by the oddsmakers. If the underdog is selected, bettors will be rooting for the team to win outright or lose fewer than the predetermined number of points.

3. Collect Your Cash

If the selection covers the spread, bettors will have the total return credited directly into their sports betting account. 

It’s that simple. 

Just place a bet, cover the spread, and collect your cash.

How To Win A Point Spread Bet

💵 Place a point spread bet
🏆 Win by the predetermined margin of victory
💰 Collect your winnings

 

Point Spread Betting Strategy

While point spread betting makes it easier for sports fans to win a bet by providing equal odds for both sides, it can also make it difficult for bettors to profit long-term. That is because there are already implied profits worked into the original game lines set by the sportsbooks. 

The cut or profit margin that a sportsbook collects for taking a bet is called the juice of vig. The juice is considered the cost of doing business with the sportsbook. When sports betting, point spread bettors need to account for the juice to win at a profitable rate. 

As we noted earlier, it takes a winning percentage of about 53 percent for point spread bettors to earn a profit. However, there are a few tricks that sharp bettors use to increase their earnings over time. 

When betting on the spread, sportsbooks may offer different point spreads and odds for the same contest. Signing up for an account with more than one sportsbook can give bettors access to the best odds and game lines for all sports. As an added bonus, bettors can also claim welcome bonus offers at multiple sportsbooks, allowing them to instantly double their bankroll at qualifying sportsbooks. 

Most professional sports bettors would also advise sticking to a single unit size for most bets. As bettors win over time, they can increase their unit size or withdraw cash to take profits and minimize their overall risk.

Point Spread Betting Strategy –
How To Earn A Profit From Point Spread Betting

💸 Account for the juice
🎰 Sign up for multiple sportsbooks
💰 Claim welcome bonus offers
💲 Cash in on the best odds and game lines
🏆 Have a run of good luck
💵 Withdraw cash to minimize risk

 

Do Professional Bettors Use Point Spread Odds

Point spread betting is a popular wagering option amongst both recreational and professional gamblers. Oftentimes, professional sports bettors will bet on point spreads instead of making money line bets. 

Since point spreads are set to equalize the odds for both sides of a match, professional sports bettors use point spreads to spot inefficiencies in the game lines offered by the sportsbooks. 

In order to turn a profit while betting against the spread, a professional sports bettor must win around 53 percent of their bets. When betting against the spread, professional bettors focus only on the games where they have an edge and rarely make parlay bets. Then, they use point spread odds to their advantage to find opportunities to apply that edge sport or event. 

To learn more about the difference between point spread betting and money line betting, scroll down below.

Point Spread vs. Moneyline

While point spread bets aim to offer equal odds and probability for both sides of a match, money line bets can offer lopsided odds that coincide with the implied probability of an event. 

Money line betting is the most simple way to bet on the game. A money line bet places a bet on a side to win the final result of the match. Unlike betting against the spread, teams do not have to win by a certain margin of victory for a money line bet to be settled as a winner. 

Bettors can expect to find bigger odds for weaker teams and underdogs to win the match. On the other hand, teams that are favoured to win the game can offer little-to-no value when betting on them to win on the money line.

Below, we’ll break down the main difference between point spread betting and money line betting.

What Is The Difference Between Point Spread Betting and Money Line Betting

Bodog NBA Point Spreads

The main difference is that a money line bet does not require a team to win by a certain margin of victory. 

Point spread betting takes into account the relative strength of both of the opponents and sets a handicap to generate an equal probability for both outcomes.  

As a result, a point spread bet requires teams to win or lose by a margin of victory in order for the bet to be settled as a winner. 

On the other hand, money line bets can generate very lopsided odds for both sides. While the money line odds reflect the relative strength of both teams, it does not change the fact that selecting one side is much more likely to occur than the other. 

When betting on point spreads, sports fans can expect to find relatively equal odds for both outcomes. Since point spreads are set to compensate for the relative strength of each team, both sides of a point spread bet generally have an equal chance of winning. 

For a complete breakdown of the differences between point spread bets and money line bets, check out the chart below. 

Point Spread vs. Money Line Betting 

Point Spread Betting

Money Line Betting

💸 Must win by a predetermined margin of victory 💸 Must win the match
🎲 Both sides have a 50/50 chance of winning  🎰 Odds coincide with the implied probability of winning
🏆 Underdogs are more likely to win 🏆 Favourites are more likely to win
💵 Bigger payouts when betting favourites 💵 Bigger payouts for underdog bets

 

What Is The Best Point Spread Betting Site?

When push comes to shove, the best point spread betting site will come down to personal preference for individual users.

Sports fans are encouraged to sign up for accounts with more than one sportsbook to shop for the best point spreads and cash in on different welcome bonus offers. This can help them maximize their edge and sports betting profits over time.

When looking for a place to place point spread bets, Bodog is one of the best places to get started. Canadians can sign up to Bodog to receive a welcome bonus offer, too.

To sign up for Bodog and cash in the best sports betting odds, points spreads, and bonuses, click below.

FAQ

How to win a point spread bet?

What does a +7 spread mean?

What is a point spread in sports betting?

How does the spread work in NFL?

Shortly after graduating with an Honors in Business Administration, Nick turned his attention from traditional stocks and bonds to investing in the performance of sports teams. He uses a combination of advanced stats and historical data to create sports investment models to identify value and generate consistent profits. Nick's work can also be found at Pistons Powered, SafeBettingSites, Winners And Whiners, and more.