Betting Against the Spread Explained
Betting against the spread (ATS) is a popular wager with US bettors and involves backing a sports team to outperform a predetermined margin known as the points spread.
Spreads are used by sportsbooks to level the odds between mismatched teams, creating more balanced lines. With ATS bets, you can approach those markets from an alternative angle.
In this expert guide, we’ll take a close look at the mechanics behind this bet type and how it works with different sports. We’ll also offer some pointers on how you can use ATS to sharpen your own betting strategy.
What Does ATS Mean in Betting?
The ATS meaning in betting is an abbreviation of the term “against the spread”, which refers to wagering on whether a team will outperform or underperform a pre-set point value set by oddsmakers.
The best offshore betting sites use spreads as a handicap to make games between strong favorites and underdogs more competitive for bettors.
Betting against the spread involves sports wagering on the underdog. They can still lose the game, but as long as the underdogs lose by fewer points than the spread, the bet is successful.
Here, the focus isn’t solely on the final scoreline of a game or who wins the contest outright. Instead, the margin of victory or defeat is the most important aspect.
In basic terms, here is how the spread format works:
- Team A (-5.5): This is the favorite and they must win by 6 points or more to cover the spread.
- Team B (+5.5): On the other side of the bet is the underdog, who must either win the game outright or lose by fewer than 6 points to cover the spread.
With ATS, you would be siding with Team B in the example above.
How Does Betting Against The Spread Work?
Against the spread betting involves looking at the point spread for a particular game and choosing to back the underdog on the side of the bet with the positive points value (+).
Sportsbooks aim to set the spread to create even action on both sides of the bet, often aiming for a 50/50 proposition. The favorite has a negative spread (e.g. -5.5) meaning they must win by more than that amount to “cover”.
The underdog, meanwhile, gets a positive spread (e.g. +5.5), so they cover by winning outright or losing by fewer points than the spread. ATS wagering zeroes in on this side of the bet.
A spread payout is typically at -110 odds, meaning you would have to bet $100 to win $100, though prices can vary.
Line changes are common too and can be influenced by public betting trends, injury reports, home-field advantage, head-to-head stats and shifts in team performance, altering the spread before game time.
In addition, an ATS record can track how often teams cover the spread over a season and digging into those can provide valuable insights beyond the usual basic win/loss records.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at how betting against the spread works for some of the most popular sports.
What is ATS in Football Betting?
ATS betting in football, including NFL betting against the spread and college football, uses the mechanisms explained above to side with the underdog on their side of the spread.
In American football, spreads can range from small numbers in closer matchups to double digits in more lopsided mismatches during the NFL season.
For example, consider the Super Bowl LX faceoff between the Seattle Seahawks (-5.0) and the New England Patriots (+5.0) from the screenshot above.
If the Seahawks win 26-20, their adjusted score is 21-20 (-5.0 spread), so they cover. However, if the Patriots lose by a tighter margin, say 24-21, the adjusted score on their side of the spread would be 24-25 (+5.0), meaning they cover despite losing the game.
This shows how ATS sports betting can reward underdogs that keep games close and illustrates why it’s such a popular line to explore.
What Does Betting Against the Spread Mean in Basketball?
Basketball, including college basketball picks and NBA betting against the spread, focuses on the expected point differentials in what are typically high-scoring affairs.
The ATS betting meaning here is similar. In the points spread, the favorite must exceed the negative points value set by the sportsbook, while the underdog aims to stay within the pre-set margin of defeat.
Take a look at the screenshot above. Here we see a matchup between Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic, with the former the favorite (-5.0) and Magic (+5.0) entered as underdogs in the spread.
If the Cavaliers win 81-75, their adjusted score is 76 (-5.0), covering the spread. But if the final score is 79-75, Magic’s adjusted score is 80 (+5.0), so they cover their side of the bet as underdogs.
Data shows that the average margin of victory in the NBA has been between 6 and 13 points in recent seasons, and with spread values ranging anywhere between +/- 1.5 to +/- 10.5 or beyond, there is plenty of room to seek out value.
What is ATS Betting on Baseball?
In baseball, instead of the usual spread, we have the MLB run lines, which are typically set at +/- 1.5 runs, making it another form of betting against the spread.
Here, the favorite is listed at -1.5 (as per the screenshot above), meaning that they to win by at least two runs, while the underdog (+1.5) covers by winning or losing by one run.
Using the examples above, we can see the Chicago White Sox (-1.5) vs Los Angeles Angels (+1.5). If the White Sox win 5-3, the final score would be adjusted to 3.5-3 with the -1.5 handicap applied and Chicago covers. A 4-3 Chicago win however, would see the Angels covering with their +1.5 run line applied (4-4.5).
What is Against the Spread Betting on Ice Hockey?
Ice hockey sports betting employs the puck line, which is similar to baseball’s run line, in that it usually applies a fixed value +/- 1.5 goals to either side of the spread.
Like in other sports, by going against the spread here, you’re looking for teams that are likely to fare better than their odds and handicap would suggest, based on form, history and other statistical trends.
Glancing at the screenshot above, we can see a couple of examples where the run line is fixed at +/- 1.5 on either side of the spread (Philadelphia Flyers (-1.5) vs New York Islanders (+1.5)).
In NHL puck lines, the favorite (-1.5) must win by two or more goals, while the underdog (+1.5) covers by winning or losing by one. Payouts vary with odds, often favoring underdogs for bigger returns, so betting against the spread can be a useful way to lift profits in the right circumstances.
Pros & Cons of Betting Against the Spread
Next, we’ll take a look at some of the upsides and drawbacks around ATS wagering, starting with the plus points.
- ATS sports betting can level the playing field in uneven matchups, turning lopsided games into more balanced bets.
- Offers the flexibility to back underdogs without needing them to win a game outright.
- Potential for better odds and payouts compared to straight moneyline bets.
- Encourages deeper analysis of team performances and ATS records to find backable trends.
- Riskier for favorites, as they must win by a specific (bigger) margin for your bet to land.
- Line movement can shift value quickly due to public betting trends and public perception.
- Requires understanding of factors like injury news and how they can affect developments on the pitch.
- There is a steeper overall learning curve to follow when compared to more traditional bet types.
Effective ATS Betting Strategies
Now that you have a better understanding around the basics of ATS bets, it’s time to take a look at some of the ways you can use the market to your advantage. There are no sure-fire ways of guaranteeing profits, however, you can employ some of these tactics to heighten your chances of being profitable.
Analyze ATS Records
Make sure to examine a team’s ATS record over the season. This is something that you can apply to any sport. Look for patterns where teams outperform spreads in certain scenarios. Some teams have a knack for overperforming on the road when the odds are against them.
Monitor Injury Reports and Line Movement
Stay right on top of the latest injuries, as the absence of key personnel can cause significant movement to lines. For instance, if a team in the NFL are missing their star quarterback, the spread might adjust by several points to compensate.
Line Shop for the Best Spreads
The smartest bettors shop around for extra value. If you compare spreads between brands in the sports betting industry, you’ll find that you can secure better prices. A half-point difference might not seem like much, but over time it can have a positive impact on your ROI.
Manage Bankroll and Avoid Chasing Losses
The most successful bettors maintain tight control over their finances and you should aim to do the same. Use unit betting principles if needed to ensure you are staking consistently and within your budget. Stay disciplined and don’t try to recover your losses recklessly.
FAQs
What does ATS stand for in betting?
ATS stands for Against the Spread, a betting term for wagers where you bet on a team to cover a point spread. This is a points-based sports bet rather than forecasting the overall winner of a game.
Why consider against the spread betting?
ATS wagers even out games, offering more options and potentially higher value than moneylines, especially in mismatched sporting events. Payouts can be bigger if you successfully back the underdog.
How do you bet against the spread?
Select a game, choose the underdog, and wager on them covering the point spread. Adjust for the final scoreline with the spread to see if it wins.
Can betting against the spread be profitable?
Yes, with the right research, it can be profitable over time. However, like with every other bet type, there are no guarantees of success.
What is the difference between ATS and alternative point spread?
ATS uses the standard spread, while alternative point spreads let you adjust the line (buying or selling points) for different odds. The risk level changes depending on how the line is adjusted.