Understanding the Meaning of “Cover” in Sports Betting
In the world of sports betting, the term “cover” is a crucial concept, particularly when it comes to betting against the spread (ATS). Many bettors, both novice and experienced, use this term frequently, and understanding its meaning is essential for anyone looking to succeed in point spread betting. Below is a comprehensive explanation of what it means for a team to “cover” the spread and how it impacts bettors.
What Is the Point Spread?
Before understanding “cover,” it’s important to grasp the idea of the point spread. The point spread is a type of handicap placed on a game by oddsmakers to level the playing field between two teams. For example, if the New England Patriots are favored to beat the New York Jets, the sportsbook might list the Patriots as -7 favorites. This means the Patriots must win by more than 7 points for bettors who wagered on them to win their bet.
What Does “Covering the Spread” Mean?
To “cover the spread” means that the team either won or lost by a margin that aligns with the bettor’s wager and the spread set by the sportsbook.
- If you bet on the favorite (-7): That team must win by more than 7 points to cover the spread. A win by exactly 7 is a “push,” and the bet is refunded.
- If you bet on the underdog (+7): That team must lose by fewer than 7 points or win the game outright to cover the spread.
Examples of Covering the Spread
Example 1: Favorite Covers
- Spread: Kansas City Chiefs -6.5 vs. Denver Broncos +6.5
- Final Score: Chiefs 31, Broncos 21
- The Chiefs won by 10 points. Since they were favored by only 6.5, they covered the spread.
Example 2: Underdog Covers
- Spread: Miami Dolphins +3 vs. Buffalo Bills -3
- Final Score: Bills 27, Dolphins 26
- The Dolphins lost by just 1 point. Since they were given a 3-point cushion, they covered the spread.
Example 3: Push (No Cover)
- Spread: Green Bay Packers -4 vs. Chicago Bears +4
- Final Score: Packers 24, Bears 20
- The Packers won by exactly 4 points. This results in a push. No one covers, and all bets are refunded.
Importance of the “Cover” in Betting Strategies
Many sports bettors track a team’s ATS record, which shows how often a team covers the spread rather than just winning outright. A team could have a poor win-loss record but still be valuable to bettors if it frequently covers the spread as an underdog. Conversely, a dominant team in the league might be overvalued by oddsmakers and fail to cover despite winning games.
Summary
“Cover” in sports betting refers to a team’s ability to perform relative to the point spread. Understanding this term is key for bettors who use spread betting as a primary wagering method. Successful bettors often pay as much attention to whether teams cover as they do to who wins, because profitability in sports betting comes from beating the spread—not just predicting winners.
