While the online sports betting world can feature some of the most complex betting schemes, including multiple team parlays that feature points being bought for several teams but alternating depending on the sport, betting on NFL point spreads is hardly difficult to understand, it is as simple as knowing the line. While other sports can sometimes offer similar spreads, including NBA Finals betting, few have been able to match the accuracy of which the NFL line makers have been able to establish the difference over the past decade.

While the option is always available to bet a team straight up, in football there is the obvious challenge to that decision, which is presented by the inordinate amount of juice placed on the favorites. Sometimes that can work to the player's advantage, as in the cases where a favorite is due for a letdown, and the underdog is available straight up at excellent odds. However, that is not always the case, which is where the point spread comes in. A point spread is basically the line maker's way of evening the sides. For example, if Indianapolis is playing Buffalo at home, then the Colts would be the huge favorite. In this case, the line maker would make the Colts minus in the point spread, which for example might be - 9.5. This means that Indianapolis would have to win by 10 points to cover and win the wager, which would be available at much better odds. It also means that the Bills become available at + 9.5, which means if you bet them with the spread, you can still win if they lose, as long as it is by less than 10 points.