Is runline or puckline a spread?

Yes, Runline and Puckline are essentially the same as the Spread, but they are used in baseball and hockey, respectively.

Spread (Football and Basketball)

The Spread is used in sports like football and basketball to make the game more even for betting. It sets a point margin where the favorite team needs to win by that many points or more, and the underdog team can either win or lose by fewer points.

Runline (Baseball)

In baseball, the Runline is the equivalent of the Spread. It’s almost always set at 1.5 runs, meaning the favorite team must win by more than 1.5 runs to cover the spread.

• Example: If the Runline is -1.5, the favorite must win by at least 2 runs to win the bet.

Puckline (Hockey)

Similarly, in hockey, the Puckline works the same as the Runline in baseball. It’s typically set at 1.5 or 2 goals, meaning the favorite must win by more than that number to cover the line.

• Example: If the Puckline is -1.5, the favorite must win by at least 2 goals to cover the bet.

Conclusion

So, while the Spread, Runline, and Puckline are different terms for different sports, they all serve the same purpose: they give the underdog team a point advantage to make betting more fair and exciting. In football and basketball, it’s called a Spread, in baseball, it’s called a Runline, and in hockey, it’s called a Puckline.

Updated on: 10/07/2025