What Does a Spread of -7 Mean? Explained😍🔥✨ 2026

If you’ve ever glanced at a sports betting board or an online sportsbook and seen something like “Team A -7”, you might have paused and wondered, “Wait… what does a spread of -7 mean?” 🤔

You’re not alone. Sports betting comes with its own language, and point spreads are one of the most misunderstood elements, especially for beginners.

Understanding a spread of -7 isn’t just about knowing numbers—it’s about predicting outcomes, managing risk, and making smarter betting decisions. In this guide, we’ll break it down in simple terms, provide examples, and explain everything you need to know about point spreads in sports. ⚡

What Is a Point Spread in Sports Betting?

A point spread is a handicap set by oddsmakers to make a game more balanced for betting purposes.

It allows betting on either team while accounting for differences in skill, performance, or expected outcome.
The spread gives the favorite a negative number (like -7) and the underdog a positive number (like +7).

💡 Example: If Team A is -7 against Team B, it means Team A is expected to win by 7 points.

What Does a Spread of -7 Mean?

A spread of -7 means:

The team with -7 is the favorite.
To win a bet on that team, they must win by more than 7 points.
If they win exactly by 7 points, the bet is a push, and your stake is refunded.
If they win by less than 7 or lose, the bet loses.

Visual Example:

Team	Spread	Result Needed to Win Bet
Team A	-7	Win by 8 or more points ✅
Team B	+7	Win outright or lose by 6 or fewer points ✅

This simple table shows the relationship between the favorite (-7) and the underdog (+7).

Why Point Spreads Exist

Point spreads exist to level the betting field. Without spreads:

Bets would heavily favor the stronger team.
Oddsmakers wouldn’t make betting competitive or interesting.

By introducing a -7 spread, sportsbooks:

Make the favorite team less automatically profitable to bet on.
Give the underdog a buffer, increasing betting excitement.
Encourage balanced action on both sides, reducing risk for the sportsbook.

How a Spread of -7 Works in Practice

Let’s break it down with a real-world example:

Game: Eagles vs. Giants
Spread: Eagles -7, Giants +7
Scenario 1: Eagles win 28-20 ✅
- Margin = 8 points → Eagles cover the spread.
- Bet on Eagles wins.
Scenario 2: Eagles win 27-21 ⚖️
- Margin = 6 points → Eagles do NOT cover.
- Bet on Eagles loses; bet on Giants wins.
Scenario 3: Eagles win 27-20 🟰
- Margin = 7 points → Push.
- All bets refunded.

💡 This demonstrates that a spread of -7 is not just about winning the game—it’s about winning by a specific margin.

Understanding Favorite vs. Underdog

When you see a spread like -7, you’re identifying:

Favorite: The team expected to win. Displayed as a negative number.
Underdog: The team expected to lose. Displayed as a positive number.

Quick Tip:

Betting on -7 (favorite) → you need a convincing win.
Betting on +7 (underdog) → you need a narrow loss or an upset win.

How Odds and Moneylines Relate to Spreads

Point spreads are often paired with odds, usually -110, meaning:

You must bet $110 to win $100.
The sportsbook earns a commission (vig) for offering balanced action.

Example:

Spread: Eagles -7 (-110)
Bet $110 → win $100 if Eagles cover
Spread: Giants +7 (-110)
Bet $110 → win $100 if Giants cover

This ensures sportsbooks profit regardless of the outcome if bets are balanced.

Spread of -7 in Different Sports

Point spreads are not limited to football—they apply to:

Basketball: Often larger spreads due to higher scoring games.
Baseball: Rare, but sometimes used with run lines.
Other sports: Hockey, soccer, even esports may use spreads.

🔥 Example in NBA: Lakers -7 vs. Celtics

Lakers must win by 8+ points for spread bets to succeed.

Why a Spread of -7 Matters to Bettors

Indicates confidence in the favorite team.
Helps bettors evaluate risk vs reward.
Determines betting strategy, like straight bets, parlays, or teasers.

💡 Strategy Insight: Large spreads (-7+) favor underdog bets with point padding. Smaller spreads (-2, -3) favor favorites more confidently.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Confusing winning the game with covering the spread.
Ignoring push scenarios.
Betting without considering team trends and injuries.
Overestimating the favorite’s ability to cover large spreads.

🎯 Remember: A -7 spread does not guarantee a win—it’s a margin prediction, not a score prediction.

Spread Betting Examples

Example 1: Football Game

Patriots -7 vs. Dolphins +7
Patriots win 24-16 → Margin 8 → Patriots cover → Bet wins ✅
Patriots win 21-17 → Margin 4 → Patriots do NOT cover → Bet loses ❌

Example 2: Basketball Game

Lakers -7 vs. Warriors +7
Lakers win 110-102 → Margin 8 → Bet wins ✅
Lakers win 105-100 → Margin 5 → Bet loses ❌

Tables and examples like these help visualize how spreads work in real scenarios.

Key Betting Terms Related to -7 Spread

Term	Meaning	Example
Cover	Favorite wins by more than the spread	Eagles -7 win 28-20
Push	Favorite wins by exactly the spread	Eagles -7 win 27-20
Vig	Sportsbook commission	Standard -110 odds
Underdog	Team with positive spread	Giants +7

Tips for Betting a Spread of -7

Analyze team form: Look at recent performance.
Consider injuries: Missing players affect the spread.
Home vs away: Home advantage can impact whether a team covers.
Check trends: Historical data shows how often teams cover spreads.
Bankroll management: Only bet what you can afford to lose.

Advanced Strategies

Teasers: Adjust spread to your advantage by combining bets.
Contrarian betting: Betting against public favorites (-7) can sometimes yield higher value.
Line shopping: Compare spreads across sportsbooks for best odds.

Psychological Aspect of Betting a Spread

Bettors often overestimate favorites because they focus on winning, not covering the spread.

“Betting is about disciplined analysis, not emotion. A team can win and still lose your bet on the spread.” – Sports Betting Expert

Using spreads like -7 teaches risk management and analytical thinking. 📚

FAQs About Spread of -7

Q1: Does a -7 spread mean the favorite will win?
Not necessarily. It means the favorite is expected to win by more than 7 points for spread bets.

Q2: What happens if the favorite wins by exactly 7 points?
This is called a push, and the sportsbook refunds your bet.

Q3: Can spreads change before a game?
Yes. Oddsmakers adjust spreads based on injuries, betting trends, or other factors.

Q4: Are spreads the same in all sports?
No. Football and basketball commonly use spreads; other sports may use run lines or moneylines.

Q5: How do I use a -7 spread to make smarter bets?
Analyze team form, injuries, home advantage, and historical performance. Consider risk and rewards carefully.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts

A spread of -7 is a crucial concept in sports betting that measures predicted performance margin, not just game outcome. By understanding how spreads work, you can: