In sports betting, the point spread is a number set by oddsmakers to level the playing field between two teams and drive betting action on both sides. The spread relates directly to the margin of victory in any given game, as the favorite must win by that amount to cover the spread. 

If the spread is set at +7, the underdog must either win the game outright or lose by fewer than seven points in order to cover. For the favorite to cover, they must win by more than seven points.