The basics: What is a point spread?
A point spread is a handicap set by the sportsbook to even out a matchup. Instead of just picking which team wins, you bet on whether a team will cover the spread.
- The favorite must win by more than the spread.
- The underdog can lose by less than the spread (or win outright) to cover.
What does a 1.5 spread mean?
A 1.5 spread means the line is set at one and a half points.
- If you bet on the favorite −1.5, they must win by 2 points or more for your bet to cash.
- If you bet on the underdog +1.5, they can either win outright or lose by 1 point, and your bet still wins.
👉 The “.5” removes the chance of a tie (push). That’s why sportsbooks often use half-point spreads — to guarantee a win/loss outcome.
Example: NFL game with 1.5 spread
- Team A: −1.5
- Team B: +1.5
Scenario 1: Team A wins 24–21 → margin is 3 points → Team A covers (−1.5 wins).
Scenario 2: Team A wins 20–19 → margin is 1 point → Team B covers (+1.5 wins).
Scenario 3: Team B wins outright → +1.5 wins easily.
Why the 1.5 spread is popular
- Close matchups: Books use small spreads when teams are nearly even.
- NFL & college football: Common in games expected to be tight.
- Great for live betting: Small spreads move quickly as the score changes.
- Parlays & teasers: Bettors often combine 1.5 lines with other plays.
Betting strategies for 1.5 spreads
- Look at moneyline vs spread: Sometimes backing the favorite on the moneyline offers better value than −1.5.
- Underdog edge: +1.5 can be powerful if the underdog is live to win outright.
- Use no-vig odds: Strip out the bookmaker’s margin to see the fair win probability.
- Track line movement: Dropping odds can signal sharp action on one side.
How BetRocket helps
BetRocket takes spread betting further with smart analytics:
- EV+ finder: Highlights games where the spread offers positive expected value.
- Surebet detection: Finds mismatches between sportsbooks on close spreads like ±1.5.
- Dropping odds alerts: See where sharp money is moving before kickoff.
- No-vig calculators: Remove juice from spread odds to reveal the fair probability.
- Bankroll tools: Apply Kelly or fixed-stake models to spread bets.
With BetRocket, you don’t just guess whether a team will cover 1.5 — you get the numbers to back it up.
Final thoughts
A 1.5 spread in football simply means the favorite must win by at least 2, while the underdog can lose by 1 or win outright. It’s one of the most common and beginner-friendly spreads in football betting.
By combining this knowledge with BetRocket’s calculators and EV+ tools, you can move from understanding spreads to exploiting them for long-term profit.