Guide to Betting on Football in Sport Betting

Football Betting Made Accessible and Diverse for Casual Bettors — highlighting the variety of options now available for football betting, compared to the limited choices in the past.

In sports betting, a “push” refers to a situation where the final score of a game or match results in a tie or falls exactly on the point spread or over/under line set by the oddsmaker. In this situation, no winner or loser is declared, and all bets are returned to the bettors.

For example, if the point spread for a football game is set at -3, and the final score is 21–18 in favor of the favorite team, then the game is considered a push, since the favorite team did not win by more than three points.

Similarly, if the over/under for a basketball game is set at 200 points, and the final score is 100–100, then the game is considered a push, since the total number of points scored fell exactly on the over/under line.

While a push may result in the return of all bets, it can also be frustrating for bettors, since they do not win or lose any money. To avoid pushes, some sportsbooks offer half-point spreads or over/under lines, which can eliminate the possibility of a tie.

In sports betting, “the hook” refers to a half-point added to the point spread or over/under line to prevent a push. The hook is typically added to point spreads or over/under lines to ensure that there is a winner or loser in a game or match, rather than a tie.

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For example, if the point spread for a football game is set at -3.5, then the half-point (.5) added to the spread is known as the hook. This means that the favorite team must win by four points or more to cover the spread, and the underdog team must lose by three points or less to cover the spread.

Similarly, if the over/under for a basketball game is set at 200.5 points, then the half-point (.5) added to the over/under line is known as the hook. This means that the total number of points scored must be either over or under 200.5 points to determine a winner or loser, rather than a tie.

Adding the hook helps sportsbooks avoid having to return all bets in the event of a tie or push. While the hook may seem like a small addition, it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game or match, and can make a difference for bettors looking to cover the spread or hit the over/under line.

Juice: Juice, also known as vigorish or vig, is the fee charged by the sportsbook for placing a bet. The juice is typically expressed as a percentage of the amount wagered, and can vary depending on the sportsbook and the type of bet.

Future Wager: A future wager is a bet placed on an event that will take place in the future, such as a championship game or tournament. Future wagers typically offer higher payouts than bets placed closer to the event, but they also carry higher risk, as the outcome of the event is uncertain.

Parlay: A parlay is a bet that combines multiple individual bets into one larger bet. To win a parlay bet, all individual bets must win. Parlays offer higher payouts than individual bets, but they also carry higher risk, as the chances of all individual bets winning are lower.

Teaser: A teaser is a type of parlay bet that allows the bettor to adjust the point spread or over/under line to increase their chances of winning. Teasers typically offer lower payouts than standard parlays, but they also offer a greater chance of winning.