What Does ‘Against The Spread’ Mean?

“Against the spread” (ATS) is a betting term used to describe the outcome of a game that is adjusted by the point spread. The point spread is the number of points by which a team is expected to win or lose the game. When betting against the spread, the bettor must determine by how many points a team will win or lose the game. If the bettor wagers on a team to win by more points than the point spread, they will win the bet. If they wager on a team to lose by fewer points than the point spread, they will also win the bet.

For Example:

let’s say the New England Patriots are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers and the point spread is set at 7.5 points with the Steelers listed as the underdogs.

If you place a wager on the Steelers, your selection will be successful if they:

• Win the game
• Lose the game by seven points or fewer.

If you place a wager on the Patriots, your selection will only be successful if they:

• Win the game
• The winning margin is eight points or higher

What Does “Covering the Spread” Mean?

When bettors talk about a team covering the spread, it means the team performed well enough against the oddsmaker’s point spread for the bet to win.

• If the favorite wins by more than the spread → they covered the spread.
• If the underdog loses by fewer points than the spread (or wins outright) → they covered the spread.

This phrase is key to understanding ATS betting reports, like when analysts say, “The team is 6–2 against the spread this season.”

ATS Records and Statistics

Sports media and handicappers often track how teams perform against the spread (ATS) throughout the season. A team may have a poor win-loss record but still be profitable for bettors if they consistently beat the spread.

Example:

• Team A: 4–8 straight up (SU) but 9–3 ATS → losing games, but covering spreads often.
• Team B: 9–3 SU but only 4–8 ATS → winning games, but not living up to betting expectations.

This is why sharp bettors look at ATS stats rather than just straight-up records.

Key Factors That Influence the Spread

• Injuries & suspensions → Star players being out can shift the spread by several points.
• Public betting action → Heavy action on one side forces sportsbooks to adjust to balance risk.
• Matchups & style of play → Some underdogs match up better and “keep games close.”
• Home-field advantage → Often worth 2–3 points in NFL and basketball spreads.

Pros and Cons of Betting Against the Spread

Pros

• More balanced odds (usually around -110 on each side).
• Lets you profit from underdogs even if they lose.
• Makes mismatched games more competitive for betting.

Cons

• Harder to predict margins than just win/loss.
• Line movement can hurt your bet if you don’t shop for the best number.
• Overtime or late-game plays (like “garbage time” scores) can flip the outcome.

Key Takeaway

“Against the spread” (ATS) betting is all about predicting not just who wins, but by how much. Favorites must win by more than the spread, while underdogs can either win outright or lose by fewer points to cover. Successful ATS bettors track records, monitor line movement, and always shop for the best spread available.