Gambling 101: What is Taking Points?

Our Sports Gambling 101 series continues with a look at the sports betting term “taking points." How do bettors take points and which sports markets offer odds that allow players to do so?

Give-and-take opportunities are available in a variety of competitions. Gamblers who take points are backing the underdog, while bettors who give points are betting on the favorite.

Players can take points with basketball and football point spread odds. Run lines are offered in baseball and puck lines are available in hockey. Players who take points receive a “head-start” before a competition and their side must win or stay within the spread to cash winning wagers.

What Does Taking the Points Mean?

Different from moneylines, which require selecting a winner without a spread, taking points gives bettors two chances to win. Here's an example:

Looking at the NFL odds example above, players receive +8 points to bet on Cleveland. In this case, they are taking the points.

If the Browns win the game outright or lose the game by seven points or less, bettors receive $100 on every $110 bet. A Ravens win by nine points or more results in a loss. If Baltimore wins by exactly eight points, all bets are graded as a PUSH and original wagers are refunded.

How to Take Points in Sports Betting

As is the case with game totals and moneylines, shopping for the best-priced odds is important before taking points. Players are advised to open accounts at more than one sportsbook to compare the various odds available.

Comparing the DraftKings odds above with the FanDuel lines below, bettors receive an extra half-point hook if they place their bets at FanDuel. With the +8.5 point spread, a PUSH isn’t possible and the juice is the same at both sites.

Factors to Consider When Taking Points

When taking points, bettors are wagering on an underdog that’s perceived to be inferior to the favorite. Along with odds shopping, players need to follow a proper research path before betting on underdogs.

Recent history is the best place to start since it will show bettors how teams are performing on offense and defense. A team playing decent offense that has struggled but is improving on defense deserves consideration when taking points on underdog bets.

Recognizing current betting trends is also important. Bettors need to understand how each side is performing against the spread when taking points.

The Cardinals are a good example. They went 8-9 straight up during the 2024 NFL season but were 11-6 ATS. As underdogs, they were an astounding 7-2 ATS, so "taking the points" on them throughout the season was lucrative.

Key injuries, plus match venue and weather, should also be considered before taking points. A balanced mix of taking and laying points can help bettors achieve point spread betting success.

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