This guide walks through what it means to cover the spread and how player prop markets are settled. It focuses on the rule items and settlement mechanics bettors should check before placing a wager, with practical examples for major sports. The goal is a calm, rules-first explanation so you can spot grading risks and reduce surprises when a ticket is settled.

A favorite covers the spread by winning by more than the posted margin; an exact margin usually results in a push.

Player props are graded using the sportsbook's published house rules and the league's official statistics.

Late scratches typically produce a void if the player never appears; appearing then leaving usually results in settlement based on recorded stats.

What covering the spread actually means

Straight definition

To say a team covers the spread means the final margin of victory lies on the side the bettor needed. Specifically, a favorite covers the spread by winning by more than the posted point spread, while an underdog covers by losing by fewer points than that spread. For example, if a favorite is -6.5 and wins by seven points, the favorite has covered; if the favorite wins by six, the underdog covers. This is the basic settlement principle used in point-spread markets and explained in standard industry guidance American Gaming Association guide.

How a push works

A push occurs when the final margin equals the posted spread exactly. In a push the stake is typically returned and the market is graded as a tie rather than a win or loss for either side. That return of stake reduces variance compared with a full loss but does not create a profit for the bettor. Half-point hooks are a common way operators remove the possibility of a push by moving the spread to a fractional value, which forces a win or loss on the selected line DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Quick pre-bet rule scan for player props

Official stat source
Overtime inclusion
Appearance definition

Save a screenshot of the rules before placing a wager

How sportsbooks set and present spreads

Lines, juice, and alternate spreads

Point spreads are a market-priced expression of an expected margin plus the vig or juice that lets the book balance action. Lines shift to reflect public betting, injuries and new information; alternate spreads let a bettor choose a different settlement point for a different payout. When you select an alternate spread you are locking in a different number that will be graded strictly by that selection, not by the standard line, so the exact number you pick defines the win condition for your ticket American Gaming Association guide.

Reading the posted number

Reading a posted spread requires noting whether the line includes a half-point, which removes pushes, and whether the option shown is an alternate spread that changes payout and grading. When reviewing the posted number, confirm whether the platform shows the exact settlement terms and whether the help or rules section ties that line to a grading definition; websites typically pair the displayed line with a link to house rules for the market's settlement details DraftKings Sportsbook rules and sport-specific guidance such as DraftKings basketball rules.

How player props are priced and how settlement works

Typical settlement mechanics

Player props are structured around statistical outcomes, such as passing yards or points scored, and they are settled by the sportsbook according to its published house rules. These rules generally rely on official league statistics and set out when a wager is voided, graded as action or settled including overtime if applicable DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

How do sportsbooks determine whether a bet covers the spread or whether a player prop stands?

Sportsbooks grade spread markets by the final margin relative to the posted point spread and grade player props according to their published house rules, typically using official league statistics; pushes and voids are handled as defined in the operator's rules, so check those pages before betting.

Official stat sources and timing

Most operators list a specific official source they will use to grade player props, such as the league's official statistics provider, and they mark whether statistics from overtime or extra periods count toward settlement. When a player never participates the common approach is to void the wager, returning the stake; once a player takes the field most books treat the wager as action and grade it by final recorded stats unless the market explicitly excludes overtime or defines a minimum participation threshold FanDuel sportsbook house rules. Additional house rules can be found in other operators' documents like Fanatics house rules.

House rules, grading, and regulatory requirements

What officially governs grading

Licensed operators must maintain and display house rules that define grading standards, what constitutes a push or void, and cancellation processes. These regulatory expectations mean the posted house rules are typically the authoritative source for settlement in a given jurisdiction, and bettors should treat those rules as the controlling document when disputes arise Ohio Administrative Code house rules.

Where to find the rules

House rules are usually accessible from a help center, legal page or a dedicated rules section on the sportsbook site. Scanning those pages will show grading language, official statistic sources and any local jurisdictional notices that alter settlement; checking the same jurisdiction where you place a bet is important because the published rules can vary across states DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Overtime, innings and sport-specific settlement rules

Which sports commonly include overtime

Many sportsbooks state that overtime counts for player props and game markets unless the market explicitly excludes extra periods. That general rule means NFL, NBA and many other league markets will include overtime in final stats by default, but you must check each market's wording to confirm whether exceptions apply Kambi general rules.

Funded Plays Challenges

Review challenge rules

Exceptions and explicit exclusions

Some prop markets are defined for regulation-time only or for a specific segment of the game; for example certain markets explicitly state 'excluding overtime' or 'first half only,' and those wordings override the general practice. Where extra innings, stoppage time or unusual competition formats exist you should default to the market definition on the rule page to determine whether those periods count for settlement DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Scratches, no-shows, early exits: what causes a prop to be voided

Late scratch vs early exit

A late scratch or no-show typically causes a player prop wager to be voided if the player never appears for the event. By contrast, if a player starts the game, or otherwise takes the field or court, and then leaves early, most books consider the wager action and settle it using the recorded stats up to the end of the contest or the last official stat time noted in the rules FanDuel sportsbook house rules.

Examples by sport

Rules vary by sport: an NFL running back who is inactive on game-day will generally have related props voided, while a baseball player scratched before batting will typically generate a void for that batter's markets. Betting help pages and house rules often list these distinctions and give sport-specific guidance for how scratches and substitutions are treated BetMGM house rules.

Half-points, hooks and alternate lines: how they change grading

Why half-points matter

Half-point hooks eliminate the possibility of a push because the margin cannot equal a whole number. When a book offers a line with a half-point it forces a winner or loser on the ticket; that small change can have a measurable effect on variance and expected payout for a series of bets, which is why many bettors select or avoid half-point lines deliberately American Gaming Association guide.

Check the alternate-line grading before you commit

Before you pick an alternate spread, check the sportsbook's grading language for that alternate number so you know exactly how the selection will be settled.

Review challenge rules

Alternate lines and strict grading

Alternate spreads and lines are graded exactly by the number the bettor chose, and operators will apply their house rules to that specific figure; if you take an alternate that moves the line to a round number you reintroduce the possibility of a push, while a fractional alternate removes that outcome. Confirming the exact settlement rule for the alternate line reduces surprises when a ticket is graded DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Quick decision checklist: what to check before placing a player prop

Five rule checks

Use a short pre-bet checklist to reduce rule risk: verify the official stat source the book will use, confirm whether overtime counts, check the appearance or participation definition for that market, review whether alternate-line grading applies, and look for minimum participation thresholds that could affect settlement. Keeping this checklist at hand before placing a wager helps avoid common surprises our blog and FanDuel sportsbook house rules.

When to hold off

Close up bet slip showing a player prop and an alternate line option on a minimalist Funded Plays dark background covers player props

Hold off on placing a player prop when the official lineup is uncertain, when a key player's participation is in doubt close to game time, or when the house rules for the market are ambiguous. Waiting until confirmations are posted and the sportsbook updates its lines and rules reduces the chance of a later void or dispute Ohio Administrative Code house rules.

Risk management and bankroll implications for prop bettors

How pushes affect expected returns

Pushes and voids typically return the stake, which lowers realized variance but does not change the long-term expectation of a correctly priced market; understanding that returned stakes reduce short-term losses helps when modeling bankroll needs for a sequence of wagers. Planning for returned stakes and adding buffers for void-related delays makes bankroll models more conservative and resilient DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Managing exposure to scratches and rule risk

To manage exposure, diversify across markets, prefer markets with clear appearance and overtime definitions, and avoid concentrated stakes on thinly defined or contestable props. Knowing the house rules and limiting stake size for markets with higher rule risk will reduce the chance of a major hit to a single bankroll allocation FanDuel sportsbook house rules.

Common grading edge cases and frequent mistakes

Misreading game time vs official stat time

One frequent mistake is assuming the time a play occurs equals the official stat timestamp the book uses for grading. Operators often rely on the league's final official statistics and may treat plays differently if the league amends stats shortly after the game, so use the official source named in the house rules rather than live tickers when possible Kambi general rules.

Assuming overtime is always excluded

Another common error is assuming overtime is excluded. Many markets include overtime by default unless explicitly noted otherwise, so checking the market wording prevents incorrect assumptions that can lead to surprises on settlement DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Practical examples: NFL, NBA and MLB player-prop scenarios

NFL rushing yards with late scratches

Consider an NFL rushing yards market: if the back is ruled inactive before kickoff, most books void that wager and return the stake; if the back starts but leaves early with recorded yardage the market is settled on those yards at game end. These two outcomes-never appearing versus appearing then leaving-are commonly distinguished in sport-specific house rules and lead to different grading results FanDuel sportsbook house rules.

NBA minutes and early exits

For an NBA minutes prop, if a player is listed as out pregame the prop will typically be voided; if the player appears in the game and plays limited minutes the recorded minutes count toward settlement, and overtime minutes usually count unless the market excludes them. That treatment means early exits after appearance usually do not void the market, but the final official stat source determines the exact number used to grade the bet Kambi general rules.

MLB hits and extra innings

MLB batting props depend on the market wording for extra innings: books that include extra innings will count hits recorded during those innings, while markets defined as regulation-only will not. Checking the rule language for the specific hit or at-bat market clarifies whether an extra-inning plate appearance will change the settlement outcome BetMGM house rules.

How to read a sportsbook rule page quickly and what to look for

Key sections and keywords

Scan the rule page for a few key words to find settlement definitions rapidly: 'void', 'push', 'overtime', 'official statistics', and 'minimum participation'. Those keywords point to the lines that most directly affect whether your prop stands, is graded by final stats, or is returned as a void DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

Red flags and confirmations

Red flags include ambiguous wording about appearance or missing a named official source for stats; confirmations are explicit lines like 'wagers are void if the player does not participate' and named official partners. Taking a quick screenshot of the rule language and the posted line before betting gives you the evidence to reference if you need to contact support Ohio Administrative Code house rules.

If your bet is voided or pushed: next steps and records to keep

How voids are usually handled

When a bet is voided the typical outcome is stake returned to the account balance, often with a record on the bet history showing the market was settled as void. A push likewise returns the stake and is recorded as a tie. Because both outcomes return stake rather than locking in a loss, maintain calm and treat the event as a variance reduction rather than a dispute until you confirm the rule language DraftKings Sportsbook rules. For additional operator rules see William Hill house rules.

Keeping evidence and contacting support

Save screenshots of the posted line, the bet slip and the house rule language before contacting support. When you do reach out, reference the exact rule text and include timestamps or captured pages; if the operator's response is unsatisfactory you may consider the regulator's complaint process in the jurisdiction where the wager was placed, using your saved records to support the case Ohio Administrative Code house rules.

Final takeaways: a short checklist and cautious guidance

Three key rules to remember

Settlement follows the sportsbook's posted house rules and official statistics for the sport, so always check those pages before placing a wager. Remember the practical difference between a player never appearing, which typically causes a void, and a player appearing then leaving, which usually results in settlement based on recorded stats. Finally, confirm whether overtime, extra innings or stoppage time count for the market you are betting on FanDuel sportsbook house rules. For the Funded Plays approach see Funded Plays and learn more about how our evaluations work at how our evaluations work.

How to keep rule risk small

Keep rule risk small by diversifying stakes, using conservative bet sizing for markets with unclear rules, and verifying the official stat source and appearance definitions on the rule page. Keeping a methodical pre-bet checklist and clear records will reduce the chance that grading edge cases meaningfully affect your bankroll over time DraftKings Sportsbook rules.

What happens if a player is scratched before the game?

If a player is scratched and never appears, most sportsbooks void individual player markets and return the stake, but check the operator's house rules for the definitive ruling.

Does overtime usually count for player props?

Many sportsbooks include overtime by default unless a market explicitly excludes extra periods, so verify the market wording and the listed official stat source.

How do half-points affect grading?

Half-points remove the possibility of a push by creating a fractional spread, so the ticket will be graded as a win or loss rather than a tie.

Checking the sportsbook's house rules and official stat source before you bet is a small step that prevents a lot of confusion later. Keeping concise records and using a simple pre-bet checklist will reduce rule-related disruption to your bankroll. Treat settlement rules as part of your handicapping process, and let documented, consistent rules guide when you place player props or alternate spreads.

What covering the spread actually means

Straight definition

How a push works

How sportsbooks set and present spreads

Lines, juice, and alternate spreads

Reading the posted number

How player props are priced and how settlement works

Typical settlement mechanics

Official stat sources and timing

House rules, grading, and regulatory requirements

What officially governs grading

Where to find the rules

Overtime, innings and sport-specific settlement rules

Which sports commonly include overtime

Exceptions and explicit exclusions

Exceptions and explicit exclusions

Scratches, no-shows, early exits: what causes a prop to be voided

Late scratch vs early exit

Examples by sport

Half-points, hooks and alternate lines: how they change grading

Why half-points matter

Check the alternate-line grading before you commit

Alternate lines and strict grading

Quick decision checklist: what to check before placing a player prop

Five rule checks

When to hold off

Risk management and bankroll implications for prop bettors

How pushes affect expected returns

Managing exposure to scratches and rule risk

Common grading edge cases and frequent mistakes

Misreading game time vs official stat time

Assuming overtime is always excluded

Practical examples: NFL, NBA and MLB player-prop scenarios

NFL rushing yards with late scratches

NBA minutes and early exits

MLB hits and extra innings

How to read a sportsbook rule page quickly and what to look for

Key sections and keywords

Red flags and confirmations

If your bet is voided or pushed: next steps and records to keep

How voids are usually handled

Keeping evidence and contacting support

Final takeaways: a short checklist and cautious guidance

Three key rules to remember

How to keep rule risk small

References