What is the hook in sports betting?
The half point on a spread or total.
At a glance
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Losing by the hook
The hook is the half point, and losing by the hook means it beat you: your team wins by 3 while you laid 3.5. It is the most common way to lose a football bet that otherwise looked won, because 3 is the single most frequent margin in the sport.
Buying off the hook
Paying to move from -3.5 to -3 buys back the push on the most common margin in football. It is the one point purchase that is usually worth the standard charge, which is exactly why books restrict or surcharge it more than any other.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the hook in betting?+
The hook is the half point attached to a spread or total. A line of -3.5 has a hook; a line of -3 does not.
What does losing by the hook mean?+
It means the half point cost you the bet, most often by your team winning by exactly 3 while you laid 3.5.
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