Half Point Calculator
This calculator allows you to quickly understand the value of buying or selling half-points when betting on popular sporting events. You can use it for NBA spreads and totals, NFL spreads, NCAA basketball and NCAA football, along with MLB totals.
It is a great tool for experienced bettors and novice handicappers alike. Read on to learn more about how much a half-point is worth, the advantages of using this calculator, when to purchase or sell half-points, how to use this tool and the best sportsbooks for buying and selling half-points.
Inputs
League:
Specifies the league of interest. Currently supports NFL, NBA, MLB (totals only), NCAA Basketball (‘NCAABK’), and NCAA Football (‘NCAAFB’).
Bet Type:
Specifies the type of bet — either spread (for all leagues other than MLB) or total.
Odds Type:
Specifies either US or decimal-style odds (if odds are improperly specified the software will usually auto-convert for you).
Spread/Total:
Enter the spread or total (depending upon the bet type). Negative numbers will be converted to positive. For pickem games, enter a zero. After this field is changed, the software will fill-in the push probabilities below using default values.
Fave/Over Price:
The money line adjustment factor for the favorite (in the case of a spread bet) or the over (in the case of a total bet). If, for example, the spread market were NY Jets +3.5 -120 / New England -3.5 +100, you would enter -120. Alternatively, if the total market were Over 42.5 +125 / Under 42.5 -145, youd enter +125. Very frequently, this number will just be -110. Advanced usage note: If you enter a percentage inthis field, the software will convert the percentage to a zero-vig price. For example, if you entered 25% in this field, the software would fill in +300 for the fave/over and -300 for the dog/under.
Dog/Under Price:
The money line adjustment factor for the underdog (in the case of a spread bet) or the under (in the case of a total bet). If, for example, the spread market were NY Jets +3.5 -120 / New England -3.5 +100, youd enter +100. Alternatively, if thetotal market were Over 42.5 +125 / Under 42.5 -145, youd enter -145. Very frequently, this number will just be -110. Advanced usage note: If you enter a percentage in this field, the software will convert the percentage to a zero-vig price. For example, if you entered 66.667% in this field, the software would fill in +200 for the fave/over and -200 for the dog/under.
Calculate:
Clicking this button will calculate Prices and Edges in the section below.
Outputs
Spread/Total:
This column of boxes displays the spreads or totals within 1½ points on either side of the figure in the Spread/Total box above. Note that clicking the up and down arrows on the top and bottom of the grid will scroll the entire grid up or down. Important note: The calculator becomes increasingly less accurate the farther away from the starting spread/total it moves. Although the calculator allows you to examine prices more than 1½ points from the initial spread/total, doing so isnot generally recommended and such values should be viewed with an abundance of caution.
Push Prob: also takes Input
This column contains the probabilities of pushing against the given spread total. The calculator will supply, or if you prefer you may enter your own.
Fave/Over Price: also takes Input
This column contains the payout odds (i.e., the price) on the favorite/over at the given spread/total that corresponds to the same vig as the initial payout odds. You may enter your own values in the cells to determine the juice you’re paying (or the edge you’re receiving) by betting at that price.
Fave/Over Edge:
This column shows the juice you’re paying (for negative values) or the edge you’re receiving (for positive values) by betting on the favorite/over at the price in the column to the left. Advanced usage note: If you hold the mouse over a cell in this column, the implied win probability will be displayed as help text.
Dog/Under Price: also takes Input
This column contains the payout odds (i.e., the price) on the underdog/under at the given spread/total that corresponds to the same vig as the initial payout odds. You may enter your own values in the cells to determine the juice you’re paying (or the edge you’re receiving) by betting at that price.
Dog/Under Edge:
This column shows the juice you’re paying (for negative values) or the edge you’re receiving (for positive values) by betting on the underdog/under at the price in the column to the left. Advanced usage note: If you hold the mouse over a cell in this column, the implied win probability will be displayed as help text.
Example
The offshore market (which you believe to be accurately reflecting the true underlying probabilities without bias) is offering the following NFL market:
Offshore Market
Tampa Bay
+2½
-110
OVER 39½
+103
Carolina
-2½
+102
UNDER 39½
-113
While at the same time your local is offering: Local Market
Tampa Bay
+2½
-110
OVER 39½
-110
Carolina
-2½
-110
UNDER 39½
-110
Your local allows you to buy up to 3 spread or total half-points for 10¢ except on and off the 3-point on spreads where he charges 20¢.
What would represent your most profitable spread and your most profitable total that you can bet with your local?
Let’s examine the spread. First, we need to set up on the top section of the calculator the ‘true’ market as reflected by the offfshore market.
set the League to ‘NFL’
set the Bet Type to ‘Spread’
set the Odds Type to ‘US’
enter 2.5 in the Spread box
enter +102 in the Fave Price box (the favorite, Carolina -2½ is being offered at +102)
enter -110 in the Dog Price box (the underdog, Tampa Bay +2½ is being offered at -110)
click calculate
Next, we enter on the bottom half of the calculator the different bets being offered by your local.
Favorite (Carolina -2½):for a spread of 2.5, enter -110 in the fave price box (you can bet the favorite, Carolina -2½ at -110 with your local)
for a spread of 2, enter -120 in the fave price box (you can bet Carolina -2½ at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
for a spread of 1.5, enter -130 in the fave price box (you can bet Carolina -2 at -120 with your local and can buy an additional half-point-for 10¢)
for a spread of 1, enter -140 in the fave price box (you can bet Carolina -1½ at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
Underdog (Tampa Bay +2½):for a spread of 2.5, enter -110 in the dog price box (you can bet the underdog, Tampa Bay +2½ at -110 with your local)
for a spread of 3, enter -130 in the dog price box (you can bet Tampa Bay +2½ at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point on to the 3 for 20¢)
for a spread of 3.5, enter -150 in the dog price box (you can bet Tampa Bay +3 at -130 with your local and can buy an additional half-point off of the 3 for 20¢)
for a spread of 4, enter -160 in the dog price box (you can bet Tampa Bay +3½ at -150 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
Finally, we look in the fave edge and dog edge columns for the relevant expectations:
Carolina -2½
-7.240%
Carolina -2
-9.124%
Carolina -1½
-10.536%
Carolina -1
-11.092%
Tampa Bay +2½
-1.851%
Tampa Bay +3
0.832%
Tampa Bay +3½
2.006%
Tampa Bay +4
2.525%
This tells us that at approximate edges of 2.006% and 2.525% respectively, the Tampa Bay +3½ and +4 bets are the best. The worst bets are the Carolina -1½ and -1 bets at -10.536% and -11.092%, respectively.
Now let’s examine the total. First, we need to set up on the top section of the calculator the ‘true’ market as reflected by the offshore market.
set the League to ‘NFL’
set the Bet Type to ‘Total’
set the Odds Type to ‘US’
enter 39.5 in the Total box
enter +103 in the Over Price box (the OVER 39½ is being offered at +103)
enter -113 in the Under Price box (the UNDER 39½ is being offered at -113)
click calculate
Next, we enter on the bottom half of the calculator the different bets being offered by your local.
OVER 39½:for a total of 39.5, enter -110 in the over price box (you can bet the over 39frac12; at -110 with your local)
for a total of 39, enter -120 in the over price box (you can bet the over 39frac12; at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
for a total of 38.5, enter -130 in the over price box (you can bet the over 40 at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
for a total of 38, enter -140 in the over price box (you can bet the over 40frac12; at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
UNDER 39½:for a total of 39.5, enter -110 in the under price box (you can bet the under 39½ at -110 with your local)
for a total of 40, enter -120 in the under price box (you can bet the under 39½ at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point 10¢)
for a total of 40.5, enter -130 in the under price box (you can bet the under 40 at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
for a total of 41, enter -140 in the under price box (you can bet the under 40½ at -110 with your local and can buy an additional half-point for 10¢)
Finally, we look in the over edge and under edge columns for the relevant expectations:
OVER 39½
-8.082%
OVER 39
-10.377%
OVER 38½
-12.146%
OVER 38
-12.734%
UNDER 39½
-1.009%
UNDER 40
-2.250%
UNDER 40½
-3.398%
UNDER 41
-2.412%
Unlike with the spread, none of these totals imply a positive expectation. If, however, you still wanted to bet on this total, your “least bad” option would be the under 39½. This is indicative of the fact that it is not generally profitable to buy half-points on NFL totals for 10¢ or more.
Half-Point Calculator
Featured Sportsbooks
How Much is a Half-Point Worth?
Most sports betting sites allow you to buy half-points from a point spread for $0.10. Let’s say the Minnesota Vikings are -110 to cover a -5 point spread against the Pittsburgh Steelers. You could then buy a half-point and bet on Minnesota -5.5 at odds of -120, or sell another to bet on Minnesota -6 at -130. This increases your chances of success, but decreases the potential profit you stand to make. If you bet on Minnesota -5 and the Vikings win by 5 points, it is a push and you simply get your stake back.
However, if you had bet on Minnesota -5.5 instead, you would make a profit. Yet if the Vikings were to win by 6 points, your profit would have been diminished by purchasing half a point, so it is a delicate balancing act. This tool can help you make sense of it. You can use it to understand the changes in the edge on the favorite and the underdog by buying or selling points, allowing you to understand the value of doing so.
Advantages of Using This Half-Point Calculator
This calculator makes the process of figuring out whether to buy or sell half a point – or multiple half-points – quick, simple and efficient. It quickly presents you with the fair value for half-point purchases and sales on NBA, NFL, NCAA basketball, NCAA football, and MLB (totals only). Many advanced handicappers use this strategy to bolster their bankroll over the course of the season, but it can be complex and painstaking. It can also be disastrous if used incorrectly, so this calculator simplifies the process and allows you to make informed decisions. You can choose from two options: American odds or decimal odds. This is the most helpful advanced half-point calculator you will find, as it tells you the edge on each outcome and the push probability, but the information is displayed in a clear and accessible format.
How to Use a Half-Point Calculator
Follow these steps when using this calculator:
1. Enter the league you are betting on (NFL, NBA, college basketball, college football, MLB totals).
2. Enter the bet type (spread or total).
3. Choose the odds type (US or decimal).
4. Enter the spread or total. For example, if it is a 5-point spread you would enter “5” and if it is a 238.5-point total you would enter “238.5”. If it is a pick-em, enter 0.
5. If you are betting on the spread, enter the odds on the favorite to cover it in the Fave Price box. If you are betting on totals, enter the odds on over.
6. If you are betting on the spread, enter the odds on the underdog to cover it in the Dog Price box. If you are betting on totals, enter the odds on under.
7. Click “Calculate”.
You will then be presented with a wealth of statistical information underneath. There will be seven different rows. The middle row tells you the actual spread or total line that you just entered into the calculator. The rows above and below show you the impact of moving the spread in either direction.
An Example
Let’s say Tampa Bay is playing Carolina in a big NFL game. The spread market might be for 2.5 points. You might find a sportsbook offering +102 on Carolina -2.5, and -110 on Tampa Bay +2.5. If that is the case, you would enter the following:
• League: NFL
• Bet Type: Spread
• Odds Type: US
• Spread: 2.5
• Fave Price: +102
• Dog Price: -110
Hit “Calculate” and the middle row – the meeting in the middle point – will then display the information you have just inserted. This is essentially the halfway point, where the line will meet in the middle. The row above will then tell you payout odds on Carolina if you buy a half, making the spread Carolina +2 instead. You will now find a favorite price of -102, and it tells you the edge on Carolina at that price. If you want to buy another half on Carolina, you will see the impact of a 1.5-point spread in the row above that. If you want to sell half points, go in the other direction from the meet in the halfway point and look at the options below the middle row for a -3, -3.5 or -4 point spread. Both driving directions see the spread move further from the halfway point.
This information corresponds to the same vig as the initial payout odds. If you want to buy a half point on Tampa Bay, you would find all the necessary information in the row below the middle row (a +3 spread instead of a +2.5 spread). If you want to buy two half points, you will see a +3.5 spread displayed above that. Just bear in mind that the calculator becomes increasingly less accurate the farther away from the starting spread/total it moves. You can scroll up or down to see wider line movements, but we recommend you stick to 1.5 points either way for greater accuracy.
You can then edit this bottom section of the calculator. Let’s say a rival sportsbook that you generally use is offering -110 on Carolina -2.5 and -110 on Tampa Bay +2.5. You can go in and enter -110 in the Fave Price for a spread of 2.5, -120 for a spread of 2, -130 for a spread of 1.5 and -140 for a spread of 1. You can enter -110 in the Dog Price box for a 2.5-point spread, -130 in the Dog Price box for a 3-point spread (it generally costs $0.20 to move to a half-point on the 3 as it is such a common margin of victory, -150 in the Dog Price box for a 3.5 spread, -160 for a 4-point spread.
This will change the approximate edge in each example, telling you which are the best and worst bets you can make when buying a selling half-points. You should look for as low an edge as possible. In this case, the best bets are Tampa Bay +3.5 and Tampa Bay +4. The worst bets are Carolina -1.5 and Carolina -1.
When to Purchase Half Points
This page helps you learn the best bets and worst bets you can make when buying or selling to push spreads and totals in different directions. If you like betting on football, you will know that the most common margins of victory are 3 points and 7 points. The push probability on a 7-point victory is 5.72%, and the push probability on a 3-point victory is 9.79%. It is often worth moving a -3.5 spread bet to -2.5 for $0.50. This is a move of two half-points.
Another example of a good time to buy or sell two half-points is moving from 9.5 to 10.5 or vice versa for $0.20, or moving two from 13.5 to 14.5 or vice versa for $0.20. You might want to consider buying a single half-point for $0.25 to move a spread market from -3 to -2.5, or from +3 to +3.5. If the spread is set at 10, 14 or 17 points, it is generally sensible to buy a half-point either way for $0.10. This is better than the point at which the spread will meet halfway, as you will gain a better edge.