Glossary
Cover
To cover the spread is to beat the point spread, not just win the game. A favorite covers by winning by more than the spread. An underdog covers by losing by less than the spread or by winning outright. A bet on the spread wins only if that side covers.
Covering is the spread bettor's version of winning. Because a spread bet is about margin, a team can win the game and still fail to cover, or lose the game and still cover.
Picture a favorite listed at -6.5. If they win by 7, they cover, and a bet on them wins. If they win by only 3, they won the game but did not cover, so the spread bet on them loses while the underdog side covers by staying within the points.
Results measured this way are often described as a team's record against the spread, shortened to ATS. A strong team can have a poor record against the spread if the market keeps asking them to win by large margins. For a bettor, covering, not winning, is the outcome that pays.
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