Against the spread (ATS) is one of the most common terms in sports betting. Instead of betting on which team will simply win the game, an ATS bet is based on whether a team covers the point spread set by the sportsbook.
A favorite must win by more than the spread to cover, while an underdog can either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread and still cash the bet.
For example, if a team is -7.5, it must win by 8 or more points to cover. If a team is +7.5, it can lose by 7 or fewer points, or win the game outright, and still cover.
Below, we explain what ATS means, how point spread betting works, and what bettors should know before placing a spread wager.
Quick Answer
Did This Team Cover the Spread?
Against the spread betting is about the final margin, not just who wins the game. Use this example to see how favorites, underdogs, covers, and pushes work.
Dallas must win by 8 or more points to cover.
Philadelphia can win outright or lose by 7 or fewer.
Dallas wins by 8, so Cowboys -7.5 covers.
Dallas wins by 4, so Eagles +7.5 covers.
At -7, this would be a push. At -7.5, it loses.
Simple rule: favorites need to win by more than the spread. Underdogs can lose within the spread and still cash.
What does “against the spread” (ATS) mean in sports betting?
In sports betting, against the spread (ATS) means wagering on whether a team will cover the sportsbook’s point spread, not just whether it will win the game outright.
Push: If the final margin lands exactly on the spread, the bet is refunded.
Favorite: Must win by more than the listed spread to cover.
Underdog: Can lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright to cover.
ATS Meaning in Sports Betting
In gambling, ATS stands for against the spread, meaning a bet based on whether a team covers the point spread rather than simply winning or losing the game. The favorite must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can lose within it or win outright.
How point spread betting works
A point spread is the number set by a sportsbook to balance a matchup between two teams. The favorite is assigned a negative number, while the underdog gets a positive number.
- Favorite (-7.5): Must win by 8 or more points to cover.
- Underdog (+7.5): Covers by winning outright or losing by 7 or fewer points.
Example: If Team A is -7.5 and Team B is +7.5, a bet on Team A wins only if Team A wins by at least 8 points. A bet on Team B wins if Team B wins the game or loses by 7 points or less.
Key Betting Outcomes
- Cover: A team “covers” when the final score adjusted by the spread results in a win for your bet.
- Push: If the exact margin equals the spread (e.g., a 3-point favorite wins by 3), all bets are refunded. Sportsbooks often use half-points (the “hook”) like 7.5 to prevent pushes.
Key Takeaways About ATS Betting
- ATS means against the spread, not simply picking the winner.
- Favorites must win by more than the spread to cover.
- Underdogs can lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright.
- Many sportsbooks add half points (hooks) to avoid pushes.
Check Out Our Point Spread Video
How to bet against the spread
To bet against the spread, you choose whether the favorite will win by enough points to cover or whether the underdog will stay within the number.
If the Dallas Cowboys are -3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, a bet on Dallas means you need the Cowboys to win by more than 3 points. A bet on Philadelphia +3 means the Eagles can either win outright or lose by 1 or 2 points and still cover.
If Dallas wins by exactly 3, the bet is usually graded as a push and the stake is refunded, unless the line was -3.5 or +3.5.
How ATS payouts work
Most standard point spread bets are priced at -110 odds. That means you would risk $110 to win $100 in profit, or risk $11 to win $10.
If your bet pushes: Your original stake is refunded.
If your bet wins: You receive your original stake back plus your profit.
If your bet loses: You lose your full stake.
How do you bet against the spread?
Most against the spread betting is done in what is called a straight bet. A straight bet is the most common type of bet for betting on the NFL, NBA, College Football & Basketball. It consists of one singular pick against the spread, where a bettor wagers on either the favorite or underdog in one game.
Another way to get involved with ATS betting is to place a parlay wager. With parlays, bettors can make multiple ATS wagers, needing all of them to win for their ticket to cash. Parlays are harder to win than straight bets, as bettors need multiple outcomes to work out in their favor, but they also have the potential to pay out more than straight bets as a result.
Against the spread betting examples
NFL example
NFL ATS Example
Did the favorite cover?
The Giants must win by 8 or more points to cover.
Result: The Giants won by 8 points, so they covered -7. The Cowboys did not cover +7.
NBA example
NBA ATS Example
Did the favorite cover?
The Warriors must win by 11 or more points to cover.
Result: The Warriors won by 9 points, so they failed to cover -10. The Nuggets covered +10.
Affiliate Disclosure
ATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.
Against The Spread FAQ
ATS stands for against the spread. It means a bet is graded based on whether a team covers the point spread set by the sportsbook rather than simply winning the game outright.
To cover the spread means a team performs well enough relative to the betting line to win the wager. A favorite must win by more than the spread, while an underdog can lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright.
Yes. ATS betting and point spread betting mean the same thing. Both refer to wagering on whether a team covers the sportsbook’s spread.
A push happens when the final margin lands exactly on the point spread. When that happens, the sportsbook refunds the original stake.
Yes. A favorite can win the game outright but still fail to cover if it does not win by more than the listed spread.
Related Topics In Our Sports Betting Guide:
- Sports Betting Terms & Bet Types Meanings
- 4 Tips For Making Successful Bets
- Basketball Betting Guide – How To Bet On Basketball
- What Are First Half and Halftime Bets?
- Parlay Sports Betting
- What Is A Prop Bet? How To Make A Prop Bet
- Pleaser Sports Betting
- Teaser Betting
- Over Under Betting
- Money Line Betting
- Point Spread & Betting Lines Explained
- What Does -110 Mean In Sports Betting? Betting Odds Explained
- What is Reduced Juice Betting?
- Bet To Risk vs Bet To Win – Wager Amount vs Risk Amount
- How To Read Rotation Numbers & Sports Betting Odds
- What Is a Progressive Parlay? How To Bet Progressive Parlays
- 3-Way Money Line
