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Glossary odds

Point Spread

In short: A handicap that levels the playing field between two teams. The favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog can win outright or lose by less than the spread. Half-point lines (-3.5, +6.5) prevent ties (pushes).

Also known as: spread, ATS, against the spread

Spreads are the dominant market in football and basketball. The half-point exists to prevent pushes on whole-number spreads — if the spread were -7 and the favorite won by exactly 7, both sides would push.