Pick'em
A matchup with no favorite -- the spread sits at zero, so you just pick who wins.
A pick’em (you’ll also see it written as “pick” or “PK” on betting boards) is a game where the oddsmakers don’t favor either team. The point spread is set at zero, which means the sportsbook sees the matchup as basically a coin flip. There’s no favorite or underdog from a spread standpoint – you’re simply choosing which team you think wins the game outright.
Pick’em lines don’t show up all that often, since most games have at least a little daylight between the two sides. When one does appear, it tells you the oddsmakers and the betting market view the teams as a near-perfect match. Things like home-field advantage, injuries, rest, and recent form can all cancel each other out to land on a spread of zero.
For you as a bettor, a pick’em keeps things simple. There’s no margin of victory to sweat and no specific number to cover. The only question is who wins. That said, the vig is still in play. Both teams are usually priced around -110, so you risk 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 upcoming game. The spread reads PK, and both sides are priced at -110. You decide to bet $110 on the Packers. If Green Bay wins 21-20, you collect $100 in profit plus your $110 stake. If San Francisco wins 17-14, you’re out $110. And if the game ends in a tie (rare in the NFL but possible in some sports), the bet grades as a push and your $110 stake comes back.
Key Points
- No spread involved: A pick’em has a point spread of zero. Whoever wins the game wins the bet, with no margin to worry about.
- Signals an even matchup: Oddsmakers hand out a pick’em when they think the two teams are essentially equal in strength for that particular game.
- Displayed as PK: On sportsbook boards and betting apps, pick’em lines usually show up as “PK” instead of a zero spread.
- Ties result in a push: In sports where a draw is possible, a tie means pick’em bets are returned to you as a push.
- Vig still applies: Even with no spread, both sides are typically priced at -110, so the sportsbook still takes its commission on the wager.