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Chalkboard lesson · Bet Types

What is ATS (against the spread) in sports betting?

The short answer

A team's record when accounting for the point spread.

Watch the lesson

Chalkboard lesson explaining ATS (Against The Spread) with a worked ATS (Against The Spread) example.Play the ATS (Against The Spread) video

Bet type guide

Knowing the language is step one — knowing the true price is the edge. The Cold Line’s signal desk tracks the no-vig fair number and the closing-line value behind terms like this, before the market moves.

In plain English

How often a team covers the spread. "Chiefs are 8-4 ATS this season."

What to remember about ATS (Against The Spread)

The definition

A team's record when accounting for the point spread.

In plain English

How often a team covers the spread. "Chiefs are 8-4 ATS this season."

Example in context

They're seven and two ATS at home this season, even though they've only won five games outright.

Check yourself

Term quiz

Check yourself: ATS

0/3 answered

1.A team's ATS record measures…

2.A team is 7-2 ATS but 5-4 outright. What does that tell you?

3.Is a strong ATS record a reason to keep backing a team?

Keep learning

Explore the next question before you place a bet.

Put the concept to work

Explore ATS (Against The Spread) with a concrete research workflow. Build your own number, compare sportsbook prices with a sharp reference, or use Audits to review timestamped book moves beside play-by-play.

Browse the full A–Z betting glossary or read the complete betting guide. The Cold Line also publishes a free year-round sports calendar and an odds board (Free account: delayed odds).