Amanda Knapp
Buying points is a common strategy in sports betting, particularly in the NBA and NFL. It allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour by purchasing half-point, full-point or 1.5-point increments. This can be done when betting on a favourite or an underdog, and the cost of buying points varies depending on the sportsbook. While it can be a useful strategy in some cases, it is not always recommended by experts. Basketball games are high-scoring and unpredictable, making it challenging to accurately predict the outcome within a small point margin. Additionally, the value of half a point in a high-scoring game like basketball is relatively lower compared to other sports. Nonetheless, buying points can be an appealing option for bettors looking to avoid a push or improve their chances of winning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is buying points? | Buying points allows bettors to move the point spread in their favor. |
| When to buy points? | When you want to move the point spread in your favor. |
| Which sports is buying points common in? | NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. |
| Which sports is buying points less common in? | Baseball and hockey. |
| How many points can be bought? | 1.5 points maximum. |
| How much does it cost? | 10 cents for each half-point. |
| What is the risk? | The potential payout is lower. |
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What You'll Learn
Buying points is a common strategy in basketball betting
The maximum amount of points that can be bought is typically 1.5, and the cost of buying points varies depending on the sportsbook. However, it usually costs an extra 10% for each half-point purchased. For example, if the odds on the regular point spread are -110, buying half a point will have odds of -120. This means that the payout will be worse, and the potential profit will be reduced.
The decision to buy points is often influenced by the desire to avoid a push, where the game ends in a tie, and the bet is pushed to another game. Buying points can also be appealing when a bettor wants to avoid whole-number spreads, such as -4 or -5, as buying points can result in a spread of -3.5, eliminating the possibility of a push.
While buying points is a common strategy, it is controversial, and some educated bettors consider it a sucker move. Additionally, in basketball, the high-scoring nature and variance of the game make it challenging to predict outcomes accurately. Therefore, strategies for buying points in basketball may not always be effective, and it can be challenging to find significant key numbers to target.
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It allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour
Buying points is a common strategy in sports betting, especially in the NBA. It allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour, giving them more control over their bets. This means that bettors can adjust the spread or total bet to their liking, increasing their chances of winning. For example, if you are betting on the Dallas Cowboys at -6 -110 ($110 to win $100), you can buy points to get them down to -5 for -130 ($130 to win $100). This strategy can be particularly useful in basketball, as the sport is high-scoring and has a lot of variance.
When buying points, bettors can typically purchase half-point, full-point, or one-and-a-half-point increments. The cost of buying points varies, but it generally involves paying a premium or a slightly worse payout. For example, a half-point will usually cost an extra 10 cents, so the odds of -120 would become -130. This means that the bettor would need to wager $130 to win $100, instead of the original $110. While buying points can be a useful strategy, it is important to consider the additional cost and the potential impact on the payout.
It is worth noting that buying points is a controversial topic in sports betting. Some educated bettors believe that it is a sucker move, similar to buying insurance in blackjack. However, others argue that it can be a useful strategy in certain situations, especially when trying to avoid a push. For example, if a bettor is considering a bet on the Chiefs as 7-point favourites, they might buy half a point to get the spread to -6.5, eliminating the possibility of a push. Ultimately, the decision to buy points depends on the bettor's risk tolerance and their confidence in the bet.
The option to buy points is typically available for straight bets, if bets, reverses, parlays, and round robins. It is important to note that buying points can only be done for sports that involve spread bets, and it cannot be used for first-half or second-half wagers. Additionally, the rules and availability of buying points may vary depending on the sportsbook and the sport. As such, bettors should always review the rules of the sportsbook they are using before placing any bets.
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It is a controversial strategy and not always a good idea
Buying points is a controversial strategy in sports betting and not always a good idea. Many sportsbooks offer bettors the option to buy points on point spread bets in football and basketball. Buying points allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour by giving away fewer points on the favourite or receiving more points on the underdog. While this theoretically gives bettors a better chance of covering the betting line, it comes at a cost, with a higher price tag and worse payout odds. For example, a standard point spread bet (-110) means you would have to wager $110 to make $100. Buying half a point will typically cost an extra 10 cents in "juice", meaning that at (-120), you now have to bet $120 to win $100.
The NBA is the second most popular sport to buy points on, but it is much less predictable. Basketball games are high-scoring and have a lot of variance, so there aren't significant key numbers to target. The frequency of points being scored in the NBA makes it difficult to accurately predict buying points on a particular team. For instance, the total in most football games is somewhere between 40 and 50 points, while the total in most NBA games is around 220. Therefore, half a point will not have the same value as half a point in a football game due to the sheer volume of scoring.
Additionally, sportsbooks are aware of the appeal of buying points and charge a premium when buying points on key numbers, rendering that betting strategy a losing proposition over time. Before buying points on football or basketball games, bettors should always make sure to know the rules of the sportsbook they are using. Sportsbooks set their opening lines using numerous factors, including statistical algorithms, home-field advantage, injuries, rest, and current form. They will then adjust the spread based on the early betting action. Sportsbooks want to encourage close-to-even action on both sides of the bet to reduce liability, knowing they have a built-in money-maker with the vig (juice).
While buying points can be a useful strategy in some situations, it is important to carefully consider the potential costs and benefits before deciding to employ this strategy.
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It is more common in football than basketball
Buying points is a common practice in sports betting, particularly in football and basketball. It allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour when betting on a favourite or underdog. While buying points can be done in both sports, it is more common in football for several reasons.
Firstly, football games have a lower total score compared to basketball, with most games falling between 40 and 50 points. As a result, half a point has a more significant impact in football than in basketball, where the total score is typically around 220 points. The higher scoring nature of basketball makes it less predictable, with more variance and fewer significant key numbers to target.
Secondly, football scoring is more restricted, with points only possible through field goals, touchdowns, and occasionally, safety. This results in certain numbers appearing more frequently on the scoreboard. For example, three is the most common final margin in NFL games, followed by seven, six, ten, and four. Coaches also strategize around these key numbers, making them even more significant. In contrast, basketball scores can vary more widely, with final margins typically ranging between two and eight points, making key numbers less important.
Additionally, buying points in football can be more cost-effective. While the standard cost for each half-point is 10 cents in juice, moving around key numbers like three or seven can be more expensive, with a premium of 25% per half-point. This pricing dynamic creates an incentive for bettors to purchase points in football, as these key numbers are more likely to result in a win or push.
While buying points is more common in football, it is still a viable option in basketball. Bettors should be aware of the higher scoring nature of the sport and the potential for increased costs when purchasing points. Ultimately, the decision to buy points depends on the specific game, the sportsbook's rules, and the bettor's strategy.
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It is rarely effective in the NBA
Buying points is a common practice in sports betting, especially in the NFL and NBA. It allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour by buying half-point, full-point, or 1.5-point increments. While this can be an appealing strategy, it is rarely effective in the NBA due to the high-scoring and unpredictable nature of basketball games.
In the NBA, the scoring increments are primarily two and three points, which makes the game very high-scoring. This high variance makes it challenging to predict the outcome within a small margin, such as a half-point or even a full point. The large separation in talent among NBA teams further contributes to the unpredictability, with larger point spreads when strong teams play against weaker opponents.
Additionally, the frequency of points being scored in the NBA makes it difficult to accurately predict the outcome of buying points. With so many points scored, the impact of a single purchased point is diluted. This is in contrast to lower-scoring sports like football, where half a point can make a significant difference in the outcome of a bet.
Furthermore, the concept of key numbers is less applicable in the NBA compared to the NFL. Key numbers refer to common margins of victory, which are more consistent in the NFL due to the nature of scoring with field goals and touchdowns. In the NBA, the margins between the most common and least common margins of victory are much narrower, making it harder to target specific key numbers effectively.
While buying points in the NBA may provide the illusion of improving your odds, it is important to remember that sportsbooks are aware of this and charge a premium for this option. Over time, this can result in a losing proposition for bettors. Therefore, while buying points in the NBA may occasionally turn a loss into a push or a push into a win, it is not a reliable long-term strategy.
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Frequently asked questions
Buying points allows bettors to move the point spread in their favour. This means giving away fewer points on the favourite or receiving more points on the underdog.
It typically costs an extra 10% for each half-point. For example, if the odds on the regular point spread are -110, buying half a point will have odds of -120.
The maximum number of points that can be bought is 1.5. However, some sportsbooks may allow you to buy up to 3 points.
Buying points is a controversial topic in sports betting. Many educated bettors believe it is a sucker move, but it can be appealing to the general public as it can turn a loss into a push or a push into a win.
Most prominent sportsbooks have a tab called "Alternative Spread" for basketball betting. Once you click on it, you’ll be shown how many points the book allows you to buy/sell and the price.
