What does it mean to cover the spread?
Beating the point spread, as opposed to simply winning the game.
At a glance
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Run the numbers
Covering as a favorite and an underdog
A favorite covers by winning by more than the spread. Lay 7 and your team must win by 8 or more. An underdog covers by losing by less than the spread or by winning outright. Take 7 and you cash if your team loses by 6, ties, or wins.
Winning the game is not covering
These are different questions and they have different answers. A team can win and fail to cover, or lose and cover. Roughly half of all spread bets cover by design, which is why both sides are usually priced near the same number.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What does cover mean in betting?+
Covering means beating the point spread. A favorite covers by winning by more than the number; an underdog covers by losing by less than it or winning the game outright.
Can a team win and not cover?+
Yes, and it is common. A team favoured by 7 that wins by 3 has won the game and lost the bet for anyone who laid the points.
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