What is Buying Points? Explained in Simple Terms
Buying points is a common strategy that experienced sports bettors use, mainly in football and basketball, to improve their chances of winning a bet. It’s like adjusting the rules in your favor you pay a little extra to shift the point spread, giving you a better shot at winning. While it makes the odds of winning higher, it also reduces your potential payout. This tactic is especially helpful when the game is expected to be close, and you want to improve your odds by slightly tweaking the spread.
Let’s break down how buying points works, when it’s a smart move, and why it’s important to carefully weigh the costs and benefits before doing it.
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How Does Buying Points Work?
When you buy points, you’re paying to change the point spread to make it easier for you to win your bet. Sportsbooks set a point spread, and by buying points, you can adjust it by half a point, a full point, or more. However, this comes at a cost — you pay more upfront, and the potential payout goes down.
For example:
- If the St. Louis Rams are +5.5 against the Dallas Cowboys, you can buy one point to move the spread to +6.5. Now, even if the Rams lose by up to 6 points, you still win your bet.
- If the Dallas Cowboys are -5.5, you could buy a point to move the spread to -4.5. In this case, the Cowboys only need to win by 5 points or more for you to win.
While this gives you a better chance of winning, sportsbooks typically charge an extra $10 per point for every $100 wagered. So, instead of paying the usual -110 odds (betting $110 to win $100), you might pay -120 or more depending on how many points you buy.
Buying Points in Different Sports
Buying points is mostly done in football (NFL and college football) and basketball (NBA and NCAA), where point spreads play a significant role in betting. In sports like baseball and hockey, buying points isn’t really a thing because the focus is more on moneyline or run line/puck line bets, which are less about points.
Football: Using Points Around Key Numbers
In football, the most common use of buying points is around key numbers like 3 and 7, since a lot of games are decided by these margins (a field goal or a touchdown). Shifting the point spread around these numbers can significantly improve your chances.
For example:
- If the New England Patriots are -7 against the Miami Dolphins, you could buy half a point to make the spread -6.5. Now, if the Patriots win by exactly 7, your bet wins instead of ending in a push (where your bet is refunded).
- If you’re betting on the underdog, you might move the line from +6.5 to +7.5 to give yourself a better chance of winning if the game is decided by exactly 7 points.
This tactic is often seen as a smart way to protect your bet, especially when the game is expected to be close.
Basketball: Adjusting for Close Games
In basketball, where the scoring is higher and more consistent than in football, buying points can still be helpful. While there are no key numbers like in football, it’s used to protect yourself in close games.
For example:
- If the Kentucky Wildcats are -3.5 against the Florida Gators, buying a point to make the spread -2.5 means the Wildcats only need to win by 3 points for your bet to win.
In the NBA, spreads are tighter, and scoring is more predictable, so buying points can be helpful when you expect a close finish.
Cost of Buying Points
The advantage of buying points is that it increases your chances of winning, but the trade-off is that it costs more. When you buy points, the odds shift, and you pay extra.
For example:
- On a typical bet with -110 odds, you’d bet $110 to win $100.
- If you buy one point, the odds might increase to -120, meaning you’d need to bet $120 to win the same $100.
- If you buy two points, the odds could go up to -130 or -140, which means you’re paying a lot more for the same potential winnings.
While buying points can help, you need to be sure the benefit is worth the extra cost. The more points you buy, the more expensive it gets, which can eat into your profits over time.
When Should You Buy Points?
Buying points isn’t always the best option, and it’s important to know when it makes sense. Here are a few situations where it could be worth it:
- Around Key Numbers in Football: Moving the line from -7 to -6.5 or from +2.5 to +3 can be crucial in football, where many games are decided by field goals or touchdowns. This can save you from a push and increase your chances of winning.
- In Close Basketball Games: If you expect a close game, buying a point or two in basketball could give you that little extra cushion you need to win the bet.
- High-Stakes Games: In playoff or championship games, where teams tend to play tightly, buying points can give you a bit more security in a bet that you’re already feeling good about.
Is Buying Points a Good Long-Term Strategy?
While buying points can help you win more individual bets, it may not be a smart long-term strategy. The extra cost you pay for the points adds up over time and can eat into your profits.
For instance:
- Moving from -110 to -120 odds means you need to win 55% of your bets to break even, compared to 52.4% at -110 odds.
- Regularly buying points without considering the cost could lead to diminishing returns. In the long run, the extra money you’re paying might not be worth the added security.
Experts suggest buying points only in situations where it gives you a clear advantage, like around key numbers in football or in tight basketball games. Overdoing it can quickly reduce your overall winnings.
Pros and Cons of Buying Points
Pros
- Better Odds of Winning: Adjusting the spread in your favor increases your chances of winning close games.
- Avoid Pushes: Buying points helps you avoid pushes (where the game ends exactly on the spread), turning what could’ve been a refund into a win.
- More Control: You can tweak the bet to your advantage, especially in games you feel confident about but want a little extra protection.
Cons
- Higher Cost: The biggest downside is that you’re paying more to buy points. Over time, this can cut into your profits.
- Sometimes Unnecessary: In many cases, the extra point won’t change the outcome, so you’re paying more for no reason.
- Smaller Payouts: The more points you buy, the lower your payout, so you need to be smart about when it’s worth it.
Wrapping It Up
Buying points is a handy tool in sports betting, especially in football and basketball, but it’s not something you should use all the time. It can give you an edge in close games, but the cost can add up fast. If you’re thinking about buying points, make sure the added expense is worth the potential benefit. It’s best to use this strategy sparingly, focusing on key moments when it can really make a difference.
As with any betting strategy, it’s important to balance the potential gain with the cost and make sure you’re using it to improve your odds, not just because it feels safer.
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Buying points allows you to adjust the point spread in your favor by paying an extra cost, improving your chances of winning.
Buying points is most effective around key numbers like 3 and 7, where games are often decided by those margins.
It can be helpful in close games, but over time, the increased cost can reduce your overall profit.
Buying points is mainly used in football and basketball. It’s less common in sports like baseball and hockey.
The cost varies, but typically it’s an extra $10 or more per $100 bet for each point you buy.