What does it mean to "buy points" in sports betting?
Comprehensive guide on buying points in sports betting and how arbitrage betting eliminates related risks.
What does it mean to "buy points" in sports betting?
Buying points in sports betting means paying a small fee to adjust the point spread in your favor to increase your chances of winning.
This tactic is commonly used in point spread bets to shift the line closer to the bettor’s preferred outcome, potentially reducing risk but also lowering potential payout.
While buying points can help manage risk, arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork altogether by guaranteeing profits regardless of the outcome.
What Does It Mean to Buy Points?
Buying points allows a bettor to improve the point spread on a wager by paying extra juice or commission. For example, if the spread is -7, a bettor might buy half a point to make it -6.5, making it easier to win but at a worse payout. This option is typically offered by sportsbooks to give bettors more flexibility in how they place their bets.
- •Adjusts the point spread to be more favorable
- •Requires paying higher vigorish (juice) or commission
- •Commonly used in football and basketball point spread bets
💡Buying Half a Point Example
If a line is New England Patriots -7, buying half a point moves the line to -6.5, meaning the Patriots only need to win by 7 points to cover. This reduces risk but might change odds from -110 to -120.
Original bet: Patriots -7 at -110 odds; New odds after buying 0.5 point: Patriots -6.5 at -120 odds
Impact on Risk and Reward
Buying points reduces the risk of losing a bet because the spread moves closer to the bettor’s side. However, this safety comes at a cost—odds become less favorable, meaning you need to wager more to win the same amount. Understanding this trade-off is crucial for effective betting decisions.
- •Lower risk by improving the spread
- •Higher cost due to worse odds
- •Potentially smaller profits despite increased chance of winning
When Buying Points Makes Sense
Buying points is strategic when the bettor believes the original spread is too risky, such as when a team is a heavy favorite but might not cover by a large margin. It helps protect against losing on a narrow margin but should be balanced against the decreased payout.
- →Useful in close matchups with uncertain outcomes
- →Helps reduce the chance of a push (tie)
- →Best when the cost of buying points is justified by increased winning probability
💡Risk vs Reward Calculation
Buying half a point at -120 odds versus betting the original line at -110 odds means risking $120 to win $100 instead of risking $110 to win $100. The bettor must decide if the increased cost is worth the improved chance of winning.
Cost increase of approximately 9% for half a point improvement
Limitations and Challenges of Buying Points
While buying points can reduce risk, it is not a guaranteed way to win and can lead to diminished profits over time. Additionally, not all sportsbooks offer point buying options, and the juice can sometimes be prohibitively high. Calculating whether buying points is profitable requires careful analysis of odds and probabilities.
- •Not available for all bets or sportsbooks
- •Increased juice can negate value
- •Requires precise calculations to ensure profitability
How Arbitrage Betting Solves These Issues
Arbitrage betting removes the need to guess or pay extra juice by identifying opportunities where placing bets on all outcomes guarantees a profit. This eliminates the risks inherent in buying points and complex calculations, which can be automated with tools like ArbitUp.
- →No need to pay extra to shift spreads
- →Guaranteed profit regardless of outcome
- →Calculations automated and simplified
💡When Buying Points is Not Worth It
If the juice to buy points is too high, the bettor may lose value even if the bet wins. For example, buying a full point at -140 odds instead of -110 might increase risk-adjusted cost beyond the benefit.
Higher juice percentage reduces expected value
Buying Points Versus Alternative Strategies
Besides buying points, bettors can consider strategies like betting moneylines, totals, or employing arbitrage opportunities. Arbitrage betting is a superior alternative as it removes uncertainty by exploiting differences in odds across sportsbooks to lock in profits without risk.
- •Moneyline bets avoid point spread adjustments
- •Totals bets focus on combined scores rather than margins
- •Arbitrage guarantees profit by covering all outcomes
Using Tools to Automate Complex Calculations
Calculating the true value of buying points and comparing it against alternative bets can be mathematically intense. Tools like ArbitUp automate these complex calculations and identify arbitrage opportunities, making it easier to maximize profits and minimize risk.
- →Automates point buying cost-benefit analysis
- →Finds arbitrage opportunities instantly
- →Helps bettors make data-driven decisions
💡Comparing Outcomes
Choosing between buying points at worse odds or placing an arbitrage bet on different sportsbooks can mean the difference between a risky bet and a guaranteed profit.
Arbitrage opportunity requires betting multiple sides at different odds to lock in profit
Practical Tips for Buying Points
If you decide to buy points, consider these tips to maximize your betting success. Always evaluate the cost versus benefit and compare it against alternative wagers. Be aware of sportsbook policies and the impact on payouts. Using arbitrage tools can help identify when buying points is worthwhile or if better opportunities exist elsewhere.
- •Calculate the effective odds after buying points
- •Avoid buying points if the juice is too high
- •Compare with alternative bets and arbitrage options
- •Use software tools like ArbitUp for calculations
- •Keep track of sportsbook rules on point buying
💡Decision-Making Example
A bettor considers buying half a point versus placing an arbitrage bet. After calculating costs, they find arbitrage offers a better risk-reward profile and opt for that instead.
Cost of buying points versus guaranteed arbitrage profit margin
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Buying points without calculating if the increased juice outweighs the benefit
- ⚠️Assuming buying points guarantees a win rather than just reducing risk
- ⚠️Not comparing the cost of buying points against alternative betting strategies
- ⚠️Ignoring sportsbook limitations and availability of point buying
- ⚠️Failing to consider arbitrage opportunities that eliminate risk entirely
- ⚠️Overpaying for small point adjustments that have minimal impact
- ⚠️Neglecting to use tools to automate complex calculations and identify value
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork by allowing bettors to lock in guaranteed profits through strategic bets on all possible outcomes.
- ✓Removes risk inherent in guessing point spreads or buying points
- ✓Ensures consistent profits regardless of game results
- ✓Simplifies complex calculations through automation tools like ArbitUp
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This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.