Pick'em

A pick’em (often shown as “pick” or “PK” on a board) is a matchup in which oddsmakers favor neither side. The point spread is set at zero, so the book treats the contest as a coin flip. With no favorite or underdog on the spread, bettors simply choose which team wins outright.

Pick’em lines show up infrequently, since most games carry some separation between the sides. When one does appear, it indicates the oddsmakers and the market view the teams as extremely evenly matched. Home-field advantage, injuries, rest, and recent form can all offset one another to net out at a zero spread.

For the bettor, a pick’em strips the decision down. There is no margin to clear or number to cover – only the winner matters. The vig remains, though. Both sides usually price around -110, so you risk slightly more than you stand to win whichever team you take.

Example

The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers are posted as a pick’em. The board reads PK, both sides at -110. You stake $110 on the Packers. If Green Bay wins 21-20, you collect $100 profit plus your $110 stake. If San Francisco wins 17-14, the $110 is lost. If the game ends tied (rare in the NFL but possible elsewhere), the bet is a push and the $110 stake comes back.

Key Points

• No spread involved: A pick’em runs at a zero spread. The game’s winner wins the bet, with no margin to satisfy.
• Signals an even matchup: Oddsmakers post a pick’em when they rate the two teams as essentially equal for that game.
• Displayed as PK: On boards and apps, pick’em lines usually read “PK” rather than a zero.
• Ties result in a push: In sports where a draw can occur, a tie returns the stake as a push.
• Vig still applies: Despite the absence of a spread, both sides typically price at -110, so the book still takes its cut.