What does buying points mean in sports betting? It refers to the practice of adjusting the point spread in your favor by paying extra juice to the sportsbook. Instead of accepting the default line—say, a team at -7, you might “buy” a half-point to make it -6.5, reducing the risk of a push and improving your margin for error.
This option is most commonly available in NFL point spreads and NBA alternate spreads, with limited use in run line buying (MLB) or puck line adjust (NHL). Bettors typically use it to protect against key numbers like 3 or 7 in football or to gain a small edge when a game feels especially tight.
However, there’s a catch: buying points almost always results in a worse payout, due to an increase in vig (betting juice). In the long run, this creates a negative expectation, meaning the cost outweighs the benefit over time. That’s why understanding when, and if, it’s ever worth using this feature is essential to building a strong betting strategy.
This guide covers how point buying works, when it can help, and why it’s usually not the sharpest move. We’ll also cover related options like selling points, alternate lines, and spread bet adjustment tactics.
What Does Buying Points Mean in Sports Betting: How Buying Points Works
When you buy points in sports betting, you’re essentially using your bet slip adjustment tools to shift the point spread in your favor. Most sportsbooks’ alternate markets tabs or inline options will allow you to adjust the spread before confirming your wager.
For example, imagine you want to bet on an NFL team at NFL betting sites that is favored by 7 points. You might not like the risk of a push if the game lands exactly on 7. So, you buy a half-point and move the spread to -6.5. Now, your bet wins if the team wins by 7 instead of merely pushing.
Cost of Buying Points
That convenience comes at a price. While a standard spread bet might carry odds of -110, buying a half-point could raise the juice to -120 or -130. That difference, known as negative juice or vig increase, represents a reduced payout. You’re paying more to reduce your risk, which is where the negative expectation creeps in long-term.
Most books charge incrementally based on the move:
- Half point cost: typically 10¢ to 15¢
- Full point purchase: usually 20¢ to 30¢
- Cost per half-point rises when adjusting around key numbers (like 3 or 7 in football)
Buying points is usually capped at 2 to 3 points max, and your adjusted odds will continue to get worse with every shift. The sportsbook’s algorithm dynamically calculates the new odds based on implied probability and sportsbook pricing models.
This makes buying points a tempting but often inefficient way to gain a margin cushion, which may not be worth it if you’re sacrificing payout and long-term ROI.
Selling Points Option
While buying points lets you improve your line at the cost of higher juice, selling points works in the opposite direction. Instead of reducing the point spread, you increase it in favor of the sportsbook, and in return, you get better odds or a higher payout.
How It Works
For example, if an NFL favorite is listed at -7 (-110), you might “sell” a half-point and take -7.5. This creates a slightly harder line for your team to cover, but the sportsbook rewards you with improved odds, such as +100 or +105. By accepting a tougher challenge, you reduce the vig and potentially increase your betting expectancy—but you also make your wager more likely to lose.
Why Bettors Sell Points
Some bettors use this approach when they believe the original line is too conservative or when they have strong confidence in a particular side. In rare cases, selling points can complement a hedge strategy, especially when combined with alternate totals or spreads across multiple sportsbooks.
However, the same caution applies: the adjustment to the spread volatility often outweighs the improved payout. Just like buying points, selling points can harm your long-term ROI if used without discipline.
Selling vs. Alternate Lines
It’s worth noting that alternate lines available in a sportsbook’s menu often serve the same function as selling points. These sportsbooks alternate markets let you pick more aggressive lines with correspondingly better payouts. For instance, moving from -7 to -9.5 might give you +150 odds instead of the standard -110.
Pricing Mechanics & Key Numbers
One of the most important factors in understanding what does buying points mean in sports betting is how sportsbooks price those point adjustments. Whether you’re buying or selling points, you’re not just changing the spread — you’re also altering the odds and affecting your expected value.
Cost per Half-Point and Full Point
Buying a half-point typically costs an additional 10 cents of juice (-110 → -120), but this can escalate to 20 or even 30 cents depending on the sportsbook and the situation. A full point purchase may cost even more, and those costs aren’t always linear — especially around key numbers.
Key Numbers and Pricing Sensitivity
In sports like the NFL, key numbers such as 3 and 7 represent the most common scoring margins. Sportsbooks increase the cost to buy through or off these key numbers because of the high push conversion potential. For example:
- Moving from -3 to -2.5 may cost 20-25 cents.
- Buying from -7 to -6.5 might cost even more.
This “key number pricing” reflects the value of these hooks and is a core reason many bettors consider or avoid point buying altogether.
Implied Probability and Negative Juice
Every odds change affects the implied probability of your bet at the best betting sites. When you move a spread and accept worse payout odds (i.e., greater vig increase), you’re often entering into a negative expectation scenario. The more you buy points, the more your betting juice climbs — and your long-term ROI drops.
Book-Specific Algorithms
Different sportsbooks have proprietary algorithmic pricing models, meaning some charge more aggressively than others for point adjustments. This is why line shopping is critical. One book may offer a -6.5 at -120, while another has it at -125 or -130. Over time, these small differences in sportsbook pricing add up.
Common Use Cases
While many pros avoid buying points due to long-term inefficiency, casual bettors still use it in certain emotionally or strategically driven spots. Here are the most common scenarios where people consider it:
Push Avoidance
One of the primary motivations for buying points at the best crypto betting sites and otherwise is to avoid a push. For example, if you’re betting an NFL favorite at -3, buying down to -2.5 eliminates the risk of a tie if the team wins by exactly 3 — a very common NFL scoring margin. This is especially relevant when the spread sits right on a key number like 3 or 7.
But remember, that margin cushion comes at a steep price. A push doesn’t result in a loss — just a refund. So, unless you’re paying minimal juice (e.g., 10¢), the cost often outweighs the benefit.
Key Numbers and Half-Point Insurance
Buying off key numbers is the most defensible use case for point buying. The odds of an NFL game landing on 3 are high enough that buying from -3 to -2.5 (or +3 to +3.5) can shift the implied probability in your favor — but only slightly, and only if the cost per half-point is low.
This is less relevant in sports like the NBA, where higher-scoring games create more spread volatility and fewer key number effects.
Emotional Hedging and Risk Aversion
Some recreational bettors buy points not out of math, but out of fear. They might “adjust the spread” just to feel safer — especially if they’re backing their favorite team or are anxious about a close contest. This type of emotional hedge gives peace of mind but almost always leads to worse payout odds and negative expectation.
If this sounds like you, it’s often better to reduce bet size rather than buy points. That way, you preserve more betting value while still managing your anxiety.
Pros & Cons of Buying Points
Before you adjust your spread or spend extra juice for a “better” number, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. While buying points may offer psychological comfort, the math behind it often tells a different story.
✅ Pros
- Push Avoidance: You can eliminate the risk of a refund on common key numbers like 3 in NFL or 7 in college football.
- Margin Cushion: In tight matchups, adjusting the spread gives you a bit more leeway — useful when betting on underdogs close to public sentiment lines.
- Emotional Reassurance: Buying a half-point can ease nerves, especially if you’re emotionally invested in the game.
- Point Spread Buy-Off: Gives you the ability to “buy off” numbers that carry higher push risks or align unfavorably with team scoring patterns.
❌ Cons
- Worse Payout Odds: Every half-point typically costs 10¢ to 30¢ in added sportsbook juice, which reduces your payout significantly.
- Negative EV Over Time: Research shows that, long term, buying points almost always leads to negative expectation and hurts your ROI.
- Built-In Vig Increase: Sportsbooks price in the likelihood of a hook or outcome — especially around key numbers — so you’re often overpaying.
- Not Effective Across Sports: In the NBA or NHL, for instance, alternate spreads carry less statistical weight due to higher scoring and spread volatility.
Bottom line? Buying points is a useful tool in rare scenarios — but routinely doing so results in higher cost per half-point, eroding the value of your bets.
Is Buying Points Profitable in the Long Run?
If you’re wondering what does buying points mean in sports betting from a profitability standpoint, the short answer is: not much. While it may seem like a clever way to gain an edge, statistical evidence shows otherwise.
Negative Expectation Over Time
Studies on NFL point buying, such as data compiled by Action Network and other sharps, show that buying half-points — especially around key numbers like 3 and 7 — often feels smart but yields negative expectation long-term.
Example: From 2013-2018, bettors who routinely bought a half-point on NFL spreads saw an average loss of 2-3% ROI, even when adjusting around key numbers. The additional vig increase couldn’t be justified by the slight improvement in win probability.
Worse Payouts = Lower Value
When you buy a point (say from -7 to -6.5), your odds may shift from -110 to -125 or worse. This odds shifting means you need to win more frequently just to break even. Often, that break-even rate becomes statistically unrealistic — especially over hundreds of bets.
Push Avoidance Isn’t Always Worth It
A push on a point spread bet results in no gain or loss. While avoiding pushes sounds ideal, the cost per half‑point may not be justified unless the number is truly critical (like NFL 3s or 7s). Even then, sportsbooks often adjust the spread pricing so aggressively that any benefit is wiped out.
Better Alternatives
- Use line shopping across multiple sportsbooks to find better natural odds.
- Consider alternate spreads rather than buying points — some books offer value on these markets without the excessive juice.
- Emphasize betting expectancy and long‑term ROI rather than emotional comfort or single-game wins.
When (If Ever) Should You Buy Points?
Although most experts agree that buying points is a negative EV play in the long run, there are a few rare scenarios where it might make sense—especially if you understand what does buying points mean in sports betting and how to identify spots where the cost is minimal and the gain is situationally valuable.
Key Numbers in the NFL
If you’re going to buy points, the NFL is the only major sport where it’s occasionally justifiable. That’s because NFL scoring margins often land on key numbers like 3, 7, or 10. Shifting a line from -3.5 to -3, or +2.5 to +3, may help avoid a push conversion or even flip a loss into a refund.
Still, you should only buy around these numbers if the cost per half‑point is no more than 10-15 cents of juice. Anything beyond that, and it’s better to line-shop or pass on the bet entirely.
Avoiding Emotional or Tilt-Based Bets
Some bettors use point-buying as an emotional crutch—say you’re backing your favorite team and want extra margin cushion on the spread. While this is still negative EV, it can be justified only if it aligns with your psychological risk tolerance and budget.
This approach is more about betting psychology than mathematics, but for risk-averse bettors, reducing volatility by half-point buying may be worth the peace of mind.
Not Recommended in NBA, MLB, or NHL
In high-scoring sports like basketball, or in sports with fewer push-prone scoring patterns like run line betting in MLB or puck line bets in NHL at the best NHL betting sites, buying points offers very little strategic edge. These sports are less dependent on key number pricing, and sportsbooks often price alternate lines or half-point shifts so aggressively that they obliterate any expected value.
Sport-Specific Notes on Buying Points
Understanding what does buying points mean in sports betting requires context across different sports. Not all leagues or bet types respond the same to point manipulation, and your approach should vary accordingly.
🏈 NFL: The Prime Market for Point Buying
The NFL is by far the most common and strategic sport for buying or selling points. Due to the structure of scoring (3 for a field goal, 7 for a touchdown), games often land on key numbers like 3, 7, and 10. This makes point spread buy‑offs or adding a hook (half‑point) around these figures potentially useful.
- Buying from -3.5 to -3 can protect against a push.
- Buying from +2.5 to +3 can prevent a narrow loss.
- Selling points (e.g., taking -6.5 instead of -3) may increase payout but significantly raise risk.
Still, even here, sportsbook pricing tends to overcharge, so line shopping is a better tool in most cases.
🏀 NBA: Less Predictable Value
In the NBA, high-scoring games and broader point margins make NBA alternate spreads less tied to key numbers at the best NBA betting sites. The impact of a half-point is generally lower, and scoring volatility means that buying points rarely offers real value.
- Margins like 5, 7, or 10 occur, but not with enough frequency to justify the vig increase.
- Emotional hedges may tempt bettors, but from a betting expectancy perspective, buying points here is almost always negative EV.
⚾ MLB: Better with Moneyline or Run Line
Run line buying in MLB at the best MLB betting sites is uncommon and rarely recommended. Baseball has more binary scoring outcomes, and the run line is typically fixed at -1.5 or +1.5. Any attempt to adjust this line usually involves extreme odds shifting or using alternate lines instead.
- Better to use outright moneyline betting or take pre-set alternate markets.
- Avoid paying juice for run line shifts unless part of a promotional parlay teaser.
🏒 NHL: Similar to MLB, Limited Value
Like baseball, the puck line in NHL betting is standardized at -1.5 or +1.5. Puck line adjust options exist, but are almost always priced poorly. You’re better off focusing on the moneyline or betting totals.
- Scoring in hockey is too infrequent for spread volatility to justify point buying.
- Push avoidance is rarely relevant due to the lack of flat spreads.
Related Bet Types: Teasers, Pleasers & More
When asking what does buying points mean in sports betting, it’s helpful to also understand bet types that achieve similar effects but through structured formats—namely teasers, pleasers, and alternate lines.
🧩 Teasers: Controlled Point Buying in Parlays
A teaser is a multi-leg parlay where you move the point spread in your favor for each leg, usually by 6, 6.5, or 7 points (NFL and NBA only).
- Example: Move an NFL spread from -7 to -1 with a 6-point teaser.
- Lower payout than traditional parlays, but provides margin cushion.
- Common for NFL point buying when facing key numbers.
Keep in mind that all legs must win, and you’ll still face reduced odds despite the favorable spread shift. Some sportsbooks offer alternate markets tabs with built-in teasers and custom options.
💣 Pleasers: The Opposite of Teasers
A pleaser moves the line against you, in exchange for a significantly better payout. This is essentially selling points across multiple legs.
- Very risky and rarely +EV.
- You’re banking on blowouts or extreme outcomes.
- Common with NBA alternate spreads or NFL underdogs.
Pleasers represent negative expectation bets unless part of a specific, data-backed hedge strategy.
🔁 Alternate Spreads & Totals
Many sportsbooks offer alternate lines on spreads and total bets. These let you manually select different point values and see the associated odds.
- You can use these instead of adjusting the standard line in your bet slip.
- Often a better alternative to paying a vig increase via custom point buying.
- Allows a side-by-side view of risk versus reward and helps evaluate implied probability shifts.
In all cases, understanding how sportsbook algorithms price these adjustments is essential. Often, you’re paying more juice than the edge you’re gaining—especially when targeting key number pricing or avoiding pushes.
Strategy & Tips for Buying Points Wisely
Based on online gambling stats in the US, a large amount of money is being spent on gambling, and this underscores the importance of being careful. Our number one tip is to never spend more than you can afford and always practice responsible gambling.
Still, if you’re still asking what does buying points mean in sports betting, the answer isn’t complete without covering when and how to use the tactic wisely—if at all. The majority of sharp bettors consider it a trap due to long-term losses, but there are a few nuanced strategies worth understanding.
🎯 Buy Only Around Key Numbers
In NFL point buying, the most frequent use case is adjusting around key numbers like 3 and 7, where games commonly land due to scoring structure (field goals and touchdowns). Buying from -3.5 to -3 or from +2.5 to +3 offers tangible push avoidance value.
However:
- Avoid buying off key numbers (e.g. from -3 to -2.5)
- Ensure the cost per half‑point is no more than 10¢-15¢ max
- If you’re charged 20¢ or more, it’s rarely worth it
This strategy is also less effective in NBA alternate spreads, where scoring is higher and more volatile, so spread volatility dilutes the impact of half-point shifts.
🛍️ Compare Before You Buy
Always line shop before buying points for an improved point spread. Many sportsbooks offer better native lines than what you’d get by buying. For example, if your book has -7 at -110, another might offer -6.5 at -115 without a custom buy, and you can avoid seeking sportbooks alternate markets to move lines.
Use:
- Alternate markets tab
- Bet slip adjustment options
- Sportsbook rules pages to understand fees
Compare across books using odds conversion tools or apps to evaluate the betting juice charged versus potential gain when understanding the answer to the inquiry: what does buying points mean in sports betting?
💡 Think in Terms of Long-Term ROI
Every time you buy points, you’re increasing the vig and reducing your expected value (EV). While it might feel good in the short term—especially after a push conversion win—it rarely improves your long-term ROI.
Instead, consider:
- Flat betting as a default strategy
- Avoiding progressive betting schemes on adjusted spreads
- Tracking results across a sample of 50+ bets to avoid small sample bias
Summary & Recommendations
So, what does buying points mean in sports betting? At its core, it’s a way to adjust the spread in your favor—but at a cost. That cost usually comes in the form of negative juice, reduced long-term ROI, and poor betting expectancy.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Buying points allows you to shift the point spread (or total) by half or full points, but this typically results in a worse payout and increased sportsbook juice.
- Key numbers matter, especially in NFL betting. Buying half-points around 3 or 7 can reduce risk, but only when priced fairly.
- Selling points (or betting alternate lines) can boost payouts but adds exposure. Only experienced bettors with a clear hedge strategy or margin cushion logic should consider it.
- Teasers and pleasers are alternative bet types that offer multi-game adjustments, but these also come with specific risks and rules.
- In sports like NBA, run line buying (MLB), or puck line adjust (NHL), the impact of buying points is even less meaningful due to scoring dynamics and line pricing.
- Ultimately, most experts agree: buying points is generally a negative expectation play unless used surgically in very specific contexts.
Rather than regularly adjusting spreads, focus on:
- Line shopping for the best price across books
- Building a smart betting session plan
- Practicing bankroll management with small units
- Avoiding emotional decision-making when bets lose
Remember when understanding the answer to the question: what does buying points mean in sports betting, not all movement in line is worth paying for. Let the sportsbook algorithms misprice a line first—then you strike.
FAQ: What Does Buying Points Mean in Sports Betting?
What does “buying points” mean in sports betting?
Buying points means adjusting the point spread or total line in your favor, typically by half or full points, in exchange for worse odds. For example, changing a spread from -3 to -2.5 may cost you an extra 10-30 cents in juice, reducing your payout but potentially avoiding a push.
How much does it cost to buy a half‑point or full point?
The cost varies by sportsbook and the sport, but typically each half-point costs between 10¢ and 30¢ in added vig. Buying around key numbers (like 3 or 7 in the NFL) often costs more due to the increased likelihood of games landing on those numbers. Some books will charge over 40¢, making it almost never worth the price.
Can I sell points instead of buying them?
Yes, selling points means adjusting the line to make your bet riskier in exchange for a higher payout. For example, instead of betting -3, you could sell to -4.5 for better odds. However, this increases variance and can expose you to greater downside if you don’t have a strategic reason for the adjustment.
How do sportsbooks calculate juice when buying points?
Sportsbooks use internal algorithms to adjust the odds based on how far you shift the line and whether you’re moving through a key number. The cost per half-point increases non-linearly, especially around important scoring margins. This is reflected in the betting juice or vig added to the odds.
What are the NFL’s “key numbers” and why do they matter?
In the NFL, games most frequently land on 3 and 7 due to common scoring combinations. These are called key numbers, and they influence how spreads are set. Buying points around these numbers can reduce your chances of losing (or pushing), but sportsbooks often charge a premium because of their statistical significance.
Is buying points a profitable strategy long-term?
Generally, no. Studies and historical data show that regularly buying points results in negative expectation over the long run. The cost of the extra juice outweighs the benefit of the spread shift in most scenarios, especially when used indiscriminately.
In what scenarios—or sports—should you consider buying points?
Buying points may be worth considering in the NFL when you can move onto or off of a key number for a reasonable price (typically 10-15¢). In other sports like the NBA, run line, or puck line markets, the benefit of small line moves is usually negligible due to scoring patterns and volatility.
How do buying points compare to teasers or pleasers?
Teasers allow you to adjust the spread across multiple games for a fixed payout, while pleasers move the spread in the opposite direction for higher risk and reward. Buying points, by contrast, adjusts a single game line and charges you individually for each point moved. Teasers are often used in parlays and come with their own restrictions.
How should I shop sportsbooks to avoid buying points?
The best way to avoid buying points unnecessarily is to line shop across multiple sportsbooks. Many books will offer alternate lines or slightly different spreads by default, allowing you to get a better number without paying extra juice. Use tools that compare odds or visit the alternate markets tab on your betting app.
Should I ever buy points just to avoid a push?
In rare cases, yes. If you’re betting around a key number in a sport like the NFL and the cost is minimal, buying a half-point may make sense to avoid a push. But doing this frequently or on numbers that don’t matter statistically will drain your bankroll over time.
