what does the + and - mean in sports betting spread

Hi @StillLoading!

In sports betting, the "+" and "-" symbols in the spread represent the underdog and the favorite, respectively. 

The spread is essentially a handicap to level the playing field:

• "+" (Plus): Indicates the underdog. If you see a team with "+3.5," it means that team can lose by up to 3 points and still cover the spread. So, if you bet on them, they need to lose by 3 or fewer points (or win outright) for you to win your bet.
• "-" (Minus): Represents the favorite. A team with "-3.5" needs to win by at least 4 points for you to win your bet on them.

Think of the spread as a way to make the game more interesting for bettors, ensuring there's action on both sides, regardless of the teams' actual strengths.

Cheers!