Why not buy to 7 on both -i do all the time -money cost is small compared to to 2 big losses -tough losses
Gamblers have selective thinking. You only remember what you want to justify your reasoning for your actions..Buying a half point to cross key numbers like 3 and 7 in NFL betting is a common strategy because those margins of victory are the most frequent, but data suggests it's generally not profitable long-term due to the increased cost (vig).
Key Statistics on Margins of Victory
3 points: Approximately 14.4% to 15.7% of NFL games end with a 3-point margin, making it the single most common outcome.
7 points: Between 9% and 10% of NFL games end with a 7-point margin, the second most common outcome.
Betting Implications
Buying to 3 or 7: When you buy a half point to move a line (e.g., from +2.5 to +3 or from +6.5 to +7), you are covering the two most frequent potential "push" or "loss by half-point" scenarios.
Cost vs. Value: Sportsbooks charge a premium for half-points around these key numbers (often costing 15 to 25 cents of juice instead of the standard 10 cents).
Long-Term Profitability: While you turn potential pushes into wins more often, the extra juice required means you need a higher win percentage to break even (e.g., needing to win 57.45% of the time at -135 odds instead of 52.38% at -110 odds).
Professional Advice: Most professional bettors advise against routinely buying points, as the cost typically outweighs the statistical benefit over hundreds of bets, making it a negative expectation play in the long run.
In short: the numbers 3 and 7 are hugely important, but sportsbooks price the half-point moves accordingly, often making it a bad bet mathematically.