Definition
Buying points means paying extra juice to move a spread or total in your favor. Each half-point typically costs 10 cents of juice (-110 to -120). Buying points is usually -EV, but buying onto or off key numbers in NFL (3, 7) can sometimes be justified due to how often games land on those margins.
Example
Bills are -3 (-110). You buy a half point to -2.5, now paying -120. If you believe there's significant probability of a 3-point margin, paying that extra juice to avoid a push or loss on exactly 3 might be worthwhile.
Common Questions
Is buying points ever worth it?
Is buying points ever worth it?
Rarely. The standard cost of 10 cents per half-point is overpriced for most numbers. Exception: buying off 3 in NFL can be marginally +EV since ~15% of games land on exactly 3. Buying off 7 is borderline. All other numbers are -EV to buy.
What about buying points on totals?
What about buying points on totals?
Generally not worth it. Totals don't have key numbers like spreads do. The distribution is more even, so you're paying extra juice without the concentrated probability benefit. Stick to finding better lines instead.