Pick'em

A pick’em (shown as “pick” or “PK” on boards) is a game where oddsmakers favor neither side. The spread sits at zero, so the book treats the matchup as a coin flip. There is no favorite or underdog on the spread. You just pick who wins outright.

Pick’em lines are rare because most games have some gap between the two sides. When one shows up, it means the oddsmakers and the market see the teams as dead even. Home-field edge, injuries, rest, and recent form can all cancel out to land on a zero spread.

For the bettor, a pick’em strips the decision down. No margin of victory to worry about, no number to cover. Just pick the winner. But the vig holds. Both sides usually price around -110, so you risk a bit more than you win whichever way you go.

Example

The Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers are listed as a pick’em. The spread reads PK and both sides sit at -110. You bet $110 on the Packers. Green Bay wins 21-20, you collect $100 profit plus your $110 stake. San Francisco wins 17-14, you drop your $110. If the game ties (rare in the NFL, possible elsewhere), the bet pushes and your $110 comes back.

Key Points

• No spread involved: A pick’em runs on a zero spread. The game winner is the bet winner, no margin needed.
• Signals an even matchup: Oddsmakers post a pick’em when they read the two teams as equal for that game.
• Displayed as PK: Boards and apps usually abbreviate pick’em lines as “PK” rather than a zero.
• Ties result in a push: In sports where draws happen, a tie returns the stake as a push.
• Vig still applies: No spread, but both sides typically price at -110, so the book still takes its cut.