Using the same example as above, if the point spread for the Miami Dolphins is listed as +7, this means that the Dolphins are the underdog and are expected to lose by 7 points. The plus sign in a point spread indicates the underdog.

If you bet on the Patriots, they must win by at least 7 points for your bet to be successful. This means that the Patriots are favored to win by 7 points. For example, if the New England Patriots are playing the Miami Dolphins, the point spread might be listed as -7. The minus sign in a point spread indicates the favored team. The purpose of the point spread is to make the betting more even, by giving an advantage to the weaker team. In a point spread, the favored team is indicated with a minus sign, while the underdog is indicated with a plus sign. Point spreads are used to level the playing field between two teams that may have different skill levels. In simple terms, the plus and minus signs indicate the point spread for a particular game. One of the concepts that can be confusing for new bettors is understanding the significance of the plus and minus signs in betting spreads. Betting on sporting events is a popular pastime for many people.