Football Wagering and buying a half point

Football betting can be used to maximum advantage by manipulating the betting for better value. There are several options available, the most common being the straight wager at near even odds. Parlays and teasers call for minimum risk and increased payout odds. However, these are considered "sucker bets" because sports bettors are required to win all their bets to claim the funds.

Professional bettors are always looking to buy points and football wagering provides many great opportunities. A number of sportsbooks allow bettors to buy a half point to convert a -7 line into a -6 1/2 line. The half point may not seem like a lot but many decisions are often based on it. The break-even point for buying a half point for ten cents with football wagering has a five percent chance of occurrence.

Here are some numbers for the National Football League where the five percent or better applies.

- 3 occurs in football games 10% of the time.
- 7 occurs 6% of the time.

The frequency for -14 and -17 is 6%.

Be attentive to buying points if you believe the favorite will win by exactly 3. Consider options such as going from -3 1/2 to -3; -3 to -2 1/2; +2 1/2 to +3 and +3 to +3 1/2.

Refer to the money line as an indicator as to whether a -3 is closer to a -2 1/2. Normally, a -3 equates to -155 when wagering on a football money line. A money line of -150 would suggest the favorite is closer to a -2 1/2. Also, in football wagering if you bet a team at -2 1/2 and its opponent at +3 1/2, with both bets at -110, sports bettors do have the same edge enjoyed by the books themselves.