When one is talking about handicap tips, one means spread predictions — because this is one and the same. That said, against the spread picks are those that are placed on an underdog only, with a positive margin. Thus, this is only a subtype of the bigger spread betting market. Bets on favourites as well as on a draw are other kinds of handicap wagers. In general, handicap is referred to as spread in the USA and for the NBA, the NHL, etc.