Hook
A half-point in a betting line, such as -3.5 instead of -3.
A hook is the half-point (.5) added to a point spread or total. For example, -3.5 is described as "three and a hook." Hooks matter because they eliminate the possibility of a push.
Why Hooks Matter
In the NFL, three and seven are the most common margins of victory. A spread of -3 means a team winning by exactly 3 results in a push. But -3.5 (three and a hook) means a team must win by 4+. A field goal win no longer saves you.
Buying Off the Hook
Bettors sometimes pay extra juice (buying points) to move from -3.5 to -3, or from +2.5 to +3. Whether that extra juice is worth it depends on the key number involved.
Key Takeaways
- A hook is a half-point (.5) in a spread or total.
- -3.5 means the team must win by 4 or more.
- Hooks on key numbers (3, 7) are especially significant in NFL betting.
Examples
- Chiefs -7.5: the Chiefs must win by 8+ points ("seven and a hook").
- Buying the hook from -3.5 to -3 to avoid a push on a common NFL margin.
Related Terms
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1 / 4Do you know what Point Spread means?
A handicap applied to a game that forces the favorite to win by a specified margin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a hook?
The name is commonly said to come from how the ½ symbol looked on old betting boards.
Is +3.5 always better than +3?
For the bettor, yes. The extra half point turns a 3-point loss from a push into a win. The real question is how much extra juice the book charges for it.