Example:

Minneapolis Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

Point Spread

Minneapolis -15 Green Bay +15

-200 +200

You’ll notice that Minneapolis is listed as -15, and Green Bay is at +15. This is ‘THE SPREAD.’ For betting, a fifteen-point adjustment will be made to the final score. Minneapolis is the favorite here (hence the MINUS fifteen), so they’ll be deducted fifteen points if you back them. Green Bay is the underdog (hence the PLUS fifteen), so they will be given fifteen extra points if you back them.

If you back Minneapolis, you’ll need them to win by MORE than fifteen points. If they win by LESS than fifteen points or LOSE the game outright, then you’ll lose your wager. If you back Green Bay, you’ll need them to LOSE by less than fifteen points or WIN the game outright. You will lose your wager if they lose by more than fifteen points.