Betting against the spread is where a sportsbook adds or removes points from one or both opposing teams to even the playing field and the odds, and the bettor then backs the underdog instead of the favorite. There are many reasons why a bettor may choose this tack instead of putting their money on the more obvious choice.
In this guide, we introduce you to ATS betting, how it works, what sports it is best used for, and the pros and cons of this betting line. We also offer you several tips and strategies for going against the spread. So, let’s jump in.
What Does ATS Mean in Betting?
Betting against the spread refers to how a bettor chooses to wager when putting money on a point spread. In this case, they choose to back the underdog. Here, for the bettor to win their wager, the underdog must with the game outright or lose by fewer points than those outlined by the points spread.
For example, if you have the Philadelphia Eagles (-7) vs. the Chicago Bears (+7), the Bears are the underdog. If we back the Bears, they must win outright or lose by a margin of less than seven, for instance: Eagles 89 – 84 Bears.
To better understand this, let’s take a closer look at point spread betting and how this works:
What is a Point Spread, and How Does It Work?
A point spread is a betting line that sees a sportsbook apply (or remove) points from one or both opposing teams. Typically, a sportsbook does this when a firm favorite exhibits greater skill and performance to give the underdogs an advantage when the game starts. By doing this, the bookie levels out the playing field, improving the underdog’s chances and making bets on the favorite a little more challenging. Of course, this also serves to boost the odds.
Based on their research, sports betting sites know how many points to add or subtract from a team. Although point spreads are available for most sports, they are best used when betting on basketball and football.
Handy Tip:
Point spreads usually come in a half-point format. Betting sites apply the .5 decimal to avoid betting ties. These half-points are typically referred to as a “hook.” So, if you see bookies referring to “three and a hook” for example, they mean there is a three and a half point spread applied.
How Spreads Work
Understanding what a spread is is different from knowing how these lines work. Below, we use an NBA game as an example, where the Sacramento Kings face off against the Golden State Warriors. Looking at the first column in our example below, we can see the spread betting lines and deduce the following:
The Sacramento Kings are the underdogs for this game. We can tell this because their spread odds have the plus sign (+) in front of their odds – (+7).
However, the Golden State Warriors are the favorites (most likely to win) because they have the minus sign (-) before their odds (-7).
Since the point spread refers to the number of points a team must win or lose by (margin of victory) in order for the bettor to win their stake, in our example, the following applies:
The Sacramento Kings must win the match outright or lose the game by less than seven points for bettors betting the underdog to win their bet. If either of these outcomes occur, a bettor would then receive a payout of -105 odds. But, if the Sacramento Kings lose the game by eight points or more, the bettor will lose their stake.
On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors, as the favorite, must win the game, and score more than seven points for a bettor backing them to win their bet. If the final score is GSW 34-26 SK, (an eight-point differential,) then bettors backing the Golden State Warriors will win their bet at odds of -115. However, if the final score ends up as GSW 34-32 SK, where the favorite only wins by two points, the bettor loses their bet.
Handy Tip:
To learn more about what the + and – mean in sports betting, you can read our article and gain a better understanding of reading odds.
How to Read a Point Spread – Understanding the Odds
Understanding the odds for a point spread can be tricky as there are two sets of numbers to consider. So, let’s look at our example below:
In an NBA match between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers, with the point spread as follows:
- Memphis Grizzlies: (+4.5) -110
- Las Angeles Lakers: (-4.5) -110
When looking at the first number in brackets, we are reading the point spread. Here, the Grizzlies, as the underdogs, must win outright or lose by fewer than 4.5 points. If one of these two outcomes comes to fruition and the bettor has backed the Grizzlies, they will win their bet. So, how much will they win?
This is where we look at the second number. Here, the odds for the Grizzlies are set at -110, which means a bettor must put down $110 to earn back $100.
However, the lines for the Las Angeles Lakers show this team is the favorite. When considering the point spread here (the first number,), the team must win by five points or more for the bettor backing the Lakers to win their bet. If the bettor wins, they will receive odds of -110, which means they must wager $110 to win back $100.
Handy Tip:
In an instance where both teams have negative odds, the team with the number farther from zero is the favorite. So, if you saw odds of -115 for Team A and -105 for Team B, Team A would be considered the favorite as you would have to put down more money ($115) to win back $100 than you would if you put money on the underdog.
How Do You Bet Against the Spread?
Betting against the spread is when a bettor puts money on the team least likely to win (underdog) by betting on their point spread. In this case, the bettor’s ticket will pay out if the underdog wins outright, or loses to the favorite by fewer points than the spread outlines. For example, if you bet on the Philadelphia Eagles +5.5, they must win the game outright or lose by less than five points.
Since most bettors are likely to back the favorite (the team with the negative odds), placing a bet on the underdog is seen as moving against the norm and, thus, going against the spread.
The possible outcomes a bettor can experience when ATS sports betting include:
- A win – a bettor’s bet against the spread will win if the team wins outright or by less points than the spread. Here, the bettor will receive their original stake back plus their profit. For instance, odds of -110 mean that a player will stake $110 to win back $100, making their total payout $210.
- A loss- Here, the underdog loses the match by more points than the spread, and a bettor loses their entire stake.
- A tie occurs – This is called a push. Here, the sportsbook will pay the bettor their original stake back. So, if you bet $65, you’ll get $65 back.
ATS Sports Betting Examples
While bettors can enjoy ATS betting for most sports, it is predominantly used for sports like basketball, football, and baseball. Below, we look at hypothetical ATS sports betting wagers to see how this style of bet works for each sport.
Football
When wagering on the NFL, ATS betting is relatively similar to that of NBA spread betting. However, while the spread will be tighter on pro games, NCAAF games have a far wider margin and can sometimes go up to a spread of +/-28. So, let’s say we visit one of the best NFL betting sites and find the following odds:
- Washington Commanders +7.5
- Philadelphia Eagles -7.5
- Final score: Commanders 20 – Eagles 29
Considering the final score, if you backed the Commanders and bet against the spread, then you would lose because the team lost by nine points. However, if you backed the Eagles, who covered the spread, you would have won your bet.
Basketball
This is one of those sports where the action typically happens toward the end of the game. Here, the score and the lead frequently change in the last 10 minutes of the match, keeping bettors on the edge of their seats. As a result, the spread the best sports betting sites apply to NBA games is usually low and sits between +/- 3 and +/-7. If we were to visit the best NBA betting sites and wager on a hypothetical game, we might find the following:
- Atlanta Hawks -5
- Los Angeles Lakers +5
- Final score: Hawks 103 – Lakers 100
If you were ATS betting on the Lakers, your wager would win since they lost by three points, which is less than the five-point spread.
Baseball
The best MLB betting sites provide ATS in betting on baseball games too. However, while these lines work the same way as those for NBA and NFL betting, they have a different name, the run line. The spread in run lines for the MLB is always set at 1.5, which means a team must win by two runs or more. If we looked at hypothetical odds here, we might find:
- Chicago White Sox -1.5 (-120)
- Boston Red Sox +1.5 (+160)
- Final score: CWS 5 – BRS 4
If you were ATS betting on the Boston Red Sox to cover the spread, you win your wager because they lost to the Chicago White Sox by one run line.
What Does Covering the Spread Mean?
One of the more common terms used by the best online sportsbooks and bettors is “covering the spread.” This phrase refers to when the favorite scores the exact number or more points set out by the point spread. So, when the favorite wins the point spread, it is called covering the spread
What Does it Mean to Beat the Spread?
In contrast to covering the spread, the term “beating the spread” refers to the opposite outcome, where the bettors backing the underdog win their bet. In other words, if we were betting against the spread and the underdog won, we would have won our bet and “beat the spread.”
How to Bet Against the Spread
Bettors can place point spread bets and enjoy ATS betting on a variety of sports at a number of sportsbooks. But before they can do this, they must first sign up with a sportsbook, create an account, claim a sign-up bonus, and deposit funds in their betting accounts. Luckily, this is a quick process, and we take you through the necessary steps below.
In our guide below, we use BetOnline as our example site. However, most sportsbooks provide a similar registration process, so this guide applies to our chosen site and any BetOnline alternatives you may want to use instead.
Step One – Register with BetOnline
Launch the BetOnline website and click the green “Join” button. Next, fill in your details on the registration form that opens, and come up with a username and password. Then, click “Create Account.”
Step Two – Get Verified
Once you’ve registered your account, BetOnline emails you a verification link which you must click to activate your new profile. After you’ve done this, use your new credentials (username and password) to sign back into BetOnline’s website and access your betting profile.
Step Three – Make Your First Deposit
Next, you’ll need to fund your account. Begin by clicking the blue “Banking” button on the homepage. Then, pick your payment method from the dropdown menu, and type in the amount you want to deposit. Your next step, is to type your BetOnline promo code “BOL1000” in the promo code box provided (if you forget this step, you’ll miss out on the welcome bonus). Finally, click “Deposit Now” and follow the prompts to complete your deposit.
Step Four – Choose Your Sport
Click on the “Sports” tab on the BetOnline homepage. Then, choose the sport you want to place your bet against the spread on, for example, basketball. Next, from the options available for this sport, select the league and match you want to put your money on; for instance, we chose the NBA.
Step Five – Place Your Wager
Once you have selected the game, click on the spread betting line for the underdog team to populate your bet slip with the relevant details. Next, add the amount you wish to wager onto your bet slip. Then, click “place bet,” and you’re done!
Tips and Strategies for Betting Against the Spread
While understanding how ATS in betting works is great, knowing how to increase your chances of winning is even better. Below, we cover several top tips and strategies to help you perfect your ATS betting.
Knowing Your Spread Numbers
Understanding and knowing the key numbers when practicing ATS in betting makes it easier to place more informed and lucrative bets. Each sport has its key points. For instance, NFL betting typically sees a three or seven-point difference to accommodate touchdowns. Generally, sportsbooks will add half points to prevent pushes. Watching the line movement and knowing these numbers make it easier to pinpoint the best bets against the spread.
Use a Sportsbook with Low Vig
The vigorish (vig) or juice refers to the fees sportsbooks add to their odds to turn a profit. For example, in an ATS betting setup where the odds for a team are +9.5 (-110). While the first figure highlights the spread, the second indicates the odds. In this case, you must wager $110 to make $100, meaning the operator takes $10. As a result, it is always best to find the site with the lowest vig to make the most of your profits and gain the greatest return.
Stay Updated on Player Injuries
Most sports where betting against the spread is offered are high-injury sports. As a result, player injuries happen frequently. Because this often means a player is replaced or the team is a player short for a particular match, this often affects the line and, in some cases, can lead to a favorite landing on par with the team originally considered the underdog, which in turn affects the spread and the odds.
Do Your Research
Before wagering ATS in betting opportunities, we recommend doing your research. Take the time to look over a team’s recent performances and how they fared against their previous opponents to gauge current form and ability. Additionally, checking out forums like Reddit will give insight into which way fans predict the game will swing, which can be helpful.
The Pros and Cons of ATS Betting
Betting against the spread is a great way for bettors to back the underdog and enjoy greater chances of winning their bet. However, understanding how these bets work can be challenging for new bettors. So, let’s look at some of the pros and cons ATS in betting offers.
Pros:
- Provides greater odds
- Can be used in parlays and live betting
- Offers a different way to wager on the final game result
- You can back the underdog and have better chances of winning
Cons:
- The odds with these bets are usually tighter (around -110)
- New bettors may find these lines challenging to understand at first
Why Shop Around for Lines When ATS Betting?
A quick and simple way to maximize your earnings on winning bets is by line shopping. Bettors will find that line shopping refers to visiting various online sports betting sites to check out the odds they provide for the same sports match. When doing this, it becomes easy to find the best odds for a specific event and increase your profits. When it comes to ATS betting, line shopping sees bettors looking for the best odds on the point spread for the underdog for their chosen game.
Is It Legal to Wager ATS in Betting?
Yes, wagering a bet against the spread is legal. However, US bettors must check to see whether their particular state allows sports betting. Although the United States Supreme Court repealed the federal ban on sports betting (PASPA), only some of the states have officially legalized sports wagering.
Where to Go for the Best Bets Against the Spread?
Betting against the spread provides bettors with more favorable odds, and makes it easier to back the underdog. This line offers some of the best betting options for sports like basketball, football, and baseball, giving bettors a more exciting betting experience. While these lines may be challenging to read at first, understanding the ATS betting meaning, as we have outlined in this guide, makes it quick and fun to learn.
