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Against the Spread (ATS)

PostedAugust 15, 2025
UpdatedAugust 15, 2025
ByBets Funder

Against the Spread (ATS)

✅ General Definition

„Against the Spread“ (often abbreviated ATS) is one of the most common betting formats in sports, especially in American football (NFL, college football) and basketball (NBA, NCAAB). It refers to placing a bet not just on who wins, but on how much a team wins or loses by — in relation to the point spread set by the bookmaker.

📐 What Is a Spread?

The point spread is a number set by sportsbooks to handicap the favorite team and give the underdog a virtual head start. It levels the playing field for betting purposes.

  • Favorite must win by more than the spread

  • Underdog can win or lose by less than the spread

🧠 What Does “Betting ATS” Mean?

When you bet Against the Spread, you’re not simply picking the winner — you’re betting on whether the team will cover the spread:

  • If you bet on a -6.5 favorite, they must win by 7 or more

  • If you bet on a +6.5 underdog, they must win or lose by 6 or less

📌 Example:

New England Patriots -7
New York Jets +7

If Patriots win by exactly 7, the result is a push (your stake is refunded).
If they win by 8 or more, a bet on Patriots covers the spread.
If they win by 6 or less, or lose, then the Jets cover.

🔄 How ATS Records Are Used

In stats and media, ATS records are used to measure how well teams perform in relation to the spread, not just their win-loss record.

For example:

  • Team A is 10–6 ATS: they covered the spread 10 times and failed 6 times

  • Useful for identifying teams that are undervalued or overvalued by oddsmakers

💼 ATS in Strategy

Professional bettors often focus heavily on ATS performance because:

  • Public perception often skews money lines and spreads

  • A team might win often but fail to cover the spread

  • ATS records can reveal hidden value

🔥 Common ATS Betting Tips

  • Watch out for public teams (like the Cowboys, Lakers, etc.) — their spreads are often inflated

  • Underdogs tend to perform better ATS over time

  • Use power rankings and statistical models to find ATS value

🤓 Related Terms

  • Covering the Spread: When a team meets or exceeds the spread

  • Push: When the result lands exactly on the spread — bet is refunded

  • Closing Line Value (CLV): Indicates whether your ATS bet was better than the closing market consensus

  • ATS Trends: Historical patterns that bettors track (e.g. „Team A is 6–1 ATS on Thursdays“)

❗ Note on Totals and Moneyline

ATS is not the same as:

  • Moneyline bets (picking a straight winner)

  • Over/Under (Totals) bets

🧾 Summary

  • ATS = Against the Spread

  • A bet where a team must win by more than the spread (favorites) or lose by less than the spread / win (underdogs)

  • ATS records help evaluate betting performance beyond win-loss stats

  • Widely used in football and basketball betting markets

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