A "Spread" in GridRival's Pick 'Em or Matchups game is a simple way to compare two drivers who aren't equal in performance by applying a handicap.

For example, if Driver A typically finishes in 4th place, and Driver B typically finishes in 7th place, placing them head-to-head in a matchup without a spread applied would be quite simple--everyone would just pick Driver A.

To even out the matchup, we can apply a handicap or "spread" to driver B of +3.5 positions. An easy way to think of this is that we essentially take the finish position of driver B, and make it 3.5 positions better than it actually is. This means that to win this matchup, Driver A must beat Driver B by at least 3.5 positions. For Driver B to win, they must finish within 3.5 positions of Driver A, no matter what rank Driver A finishes in.

Driver A finishes 4th

Driver B (+3.5) finishes 7th

With no spread applied, driver A easily wins. But if we apply a spread of +3.5 positions to driver B, this means his actual finish position with the handicap would be 3.5 and would beat Driver A by .5 positions and win the matchup (half positions are used in matchups to avoid ties between drivers.)

Driver A finishes 4th

Driver B (+3.5) finishes 8th

Here, if we apply a spread of +3.5 positions to driver B, this means his actual finish position with the handicap would be 4.5, and would lose to Driver A by .5 positions.

If you're still confused, don't worry because, on every matchup selection, we tell you exactly what conditions must be met for your pick to win, as seen below. If you don't want to figure out the math each time, simply make a selection, and you'll get an idea of how your selection will need to perform in order to win the matchup.

For more help with spreads, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]