Pick'em

A pick’em (you might see it written as “pick” or “PK” on the board) is a game where the oddsmakers haven’t made either team the favorite. The point spread sits at zero, which means the book sees the matchup as a coin flip. There’s no favorite or underdog on the spread here — you’re simply picking who you think wins outright.

Pick’em lines don’t show up often, since most games have at least a little separation between the two sides. When one does appear, it’s a sign the oddsmakers and the market think the teams are about as evenly matched as it gets. Things like home-field advantage, injuries, rest, and recent form may all cancel each other out to land on a zero spread.

For you as a bettor, a pick’em keeps things easy. No worrying about margins of victory or covering a number. The only question is who wins. The vig still applies, though. Both teams usually sit around -110, so you’re risking a bit more than you stand to win no matter which side you take.

Example

The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers are listed as a pick’em for their game. The spread reads PK, and both sides are -110. You put $110 on the Packers. If Green Bay wins 21-20, you pocket $100 in profit plus your $110 stake back. If San Francisco wins 17-14, your $110 is gone. And if the game somehow ends in a tie (rare in the NFL, but possible in some sports), it’s graded a push and your $110 comes back.

Key Points

• No spread to deal with: A pick’em has a zero point spread. Whoever wins the game wins the bet, no margin required.
• Means an even matchup: Oddsmakers post a pick’em when they think the two teams are basically equal for that game.
• Shown as PK: On boards and apps, pick’em lines usually show up as “PK” instead of a zero spread.
• Ties are a push: If the game ends in a draw where that’s possible, pick’em bets get refunded as a push.
• Vig still applies: No spread, but both sides are typically -110, so the book still takes its cut on the wager.