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Sports betting is all about finding an edge, and buying points is one strategy that can help you gain that advantage. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to buy points in sports betting and provide examples of when it can be useful, especially when buying key numbers.

Understanding Buying Points

Buying points in sports betting is a technique that allows you to adjust the point spread or total in your favor by sacrificing some potential profit. In essence, you are willing to pay extra in order to shift the line in a direction that increases your chances of winning the bet. This can be particularly helpful when you want to bet on a team or a total that is close to the edge of your comfort zone. Let’s dive into this concept further.

Why Buy Points?

One of the primary reasons to buy points is to reduce the risk associated with your bet. By adjusting the point spread or total, you make it more achievable for your chosen team to cover the spread or for the game to go over or under the total.

Another reason is accessing key numbers, which in sports betting are specific margins of victory that occur more frequently than others. In NFL football, for example, the key numbers are 3 and 7 because a significant number of games end with a final score of 3- or 7-point differentials. By buying points, you can move your bet onto or off these key numbers, which can significantly impact your chances of winning.

Examples of Buying Points to Key Numbers

Football: Let’s say you want to bet on an NFL game where the point spread is set at +2.5 for the underdog and that is who you like. Buying 0.5 points to move it to +3 or even buying 1 point to +3.5 can be valuable. If the favorite wins by exactly 3 points (a key number), your bet is a push, whereas it would be a loss if you hadn’t bought the points. It would also mean if you bought a whole point and got it at +3.5 you would now be a winner.

Basketball: In an NBA game, if the total is set at 224 points and you expect a lower-scoring game, buying a half-point to move it to 223.5 can protect you from a push if the game ends with exactly 224 points.

It’s important to note that buying points is not always the best strategy. You should evaluate the cost of buying points and the likelihood of the game landing on a key number against the potential profit. In some situations, it may not be worth the expense as you will pay extra juice to buy points.

Buying points in sports betting can be a useful tool for managing risk and improving your chances of winning, especially when you’re dealing with key numbers. It’s essential to carefully assess each situation, considering the cost and potential benefits of buying points. While it may reduce your potential payout, it can help ensure that your bets land in a more favorable range, increasing your overall success as a sports bettor. Remember, like any strategy in sports betting, buying points should be used judiciously and as part of a comprehensive betting approach.

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