When venturing into the world of sports betting, understanding key terms is essential for success. One such term that often confuses beginners is “cover.” This article breaks down what it means to “cover” in sports betting, how it applies to various betting scenarios, and why it’s a fundamental concept.

Definition of a Cover

In sports betting, a “cover” refers to a team or player achieving the result necessary to win a point spread bet. Specifically:

• For the Favorite: The team must win by a margin greater than the point spread set by the bookmaker.
• For the Underdog: The team must lose by fewer points than the spread allows or win outright.

Covering the spread ensures a successful bet for the side you wagered on.

What is a Point Spread?

To understand covering, it’s vital to grasp the concept of the point spread:

• Point Spread: A handicap given by bookmakers to level the playing field between two teams of differing abilities. It predicts the margin of victory for the favored team and sets expectations for the underdog.

For example:

• Team A (Favorite): -6.5
• Team B (Underdog): +6.5

This means:

• If you bet on Team A, they must win by 7 points or more to cover the spread.
• If you bet on Team B, they must lose by 6 points or fewer or win outright to cover.

Examples of Covering

Example 1: The Favorite Covers

• Final Score: Team A 28, Team B 20
• Point Spread: Team A -7, Team B +7
• Result: Team A wins by 8 points, exceeding the spread. Team A has covered.

Example 2: The Underdog Covers

• Final Score: Team A 24, Team B 21
• Point Spread: Team A -7, Team B +7
• Result: Team A wins by only 3 points. Team B has covered because they lost by less than 7.

Example 3: A Push

• Final Score: Team A 27, Team B 20
• Point Spread: Team A -7, Team B +7
• Result: The winning margin equals the point spread. This is a push, and all bets are refunded.

Why Covering Matters in Sports Betting

Covering the spread is central to point spread betting and understanding how sportsbooks balance the odds. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Strategic Betting: Knowing how teams perform against the spread helps bettors make informed choices.
2. Balanced Wagering: The spread levels the field, making bets on both teams appealing.
3. Avoiding Misinterpretation: A team winning a game doesn’t always mean they covered the spread, which is a critical distinction for bettors.

Additional Considerations

• Half-Point Spreads: To eliminate pushes, sportsbooks often include half-points (e.g., -7.5). This ensures a definitive win or loss for bettors.
• Historical ATS Records: Researching a team’s Against The Spread (ATS) performance provides insights into their reliability in covering spreads.
• Impact of Late Game Scores: In sports like football or basketball, a late score can dramatically affect whether a team covers the spread, adding an element of suspense to games.

Conclusion – “Cover” in sports betting

Understanding what it means to “cover” in sports betting is a fundamental skill for any bettor. Whether you’re backing the favorite to win big or trusting the underdog to outperform expectations, knowing the mechanics of covering helps you place smarter bets and enjoy the thrill of the game. As you gain experience, analyzing point spreads and a team’s history of covering will become second nature, improving your chances of betting success.