Alternative Spreads: Buying & Selling Points Guide

Alternative spreads, also called alt spreads or alternate lines, let you adjust the standard point spread up or down in exchange for different odds. Instead of betting Cowboys -7 at -110, you might choose to buy points and take Cowboys -6 at -130, or sell points and take Cowboys -8 at +100. This flexibility can be powerful, but it also adds complexity and cost.

This guide explains what alternative spreads are, how they work, when buying or selling points makes sense, and common mistakes to avoid. You will learn about key numbers, juice costs, and how to use alt spreads strategically in the NFL, NBA, and other sports.

By the end, you should understand when to use alternative spreads and when to stick with the standard line. Sports betting should always be optional and affordable, so if you choose to bet, understand the risks first.

What Are Alternative Spreads?

Alternative spreads are adjusted versions of the standard point spread offered by sportsbooks. Instead of betting the main line, you can move the spread in your favor (buying points) or against your favor (selling points) in exchange for different odds.

Example:

• Standard spread: Cowboys -7 at -110
• Alternative spread 1: Cowboys -6.5 at -120 (buying 0.5 points)
• Alternative spread 2: Cowboys -6 at -130 (buying 1 point)
• Alternative spread 3: Cowboys -8 at +100 (selling 1 point)
• Alternative spread 4: Cowboys -9 at +120 (selling 2 points)

When you buy points, you move the spread in your favor but pay extra juice or worse odds. When you sell points, you move the spread against your favor but get better odds or plus money.

How Alternative Spreads Differ From Standard Spreads

The standard spread is the main line set by the sportsbook and is usually priced around -110 on both sides. Alternative spreads are variations of that line with adjusted pricing.

Key differences:

• Standard spreads have balanced pricing (usually -110 on both sides)
• Alternative spreads have sliding odds based on how far you move from the main line
• Buying points costs extra juice; selling points gives you better odds

Why Sportsbooks Offer Alternative Spreads

Sportsbooks offer alt spreads to give bettors more flexibility and to capture more betting action. Some bettors want safer bets and are willing to pay extra juice. Others want bigger payouts and are willing to take on more risk by selling points.

Alt spreads also let books manage their exposure by offering different prices for different lines.

Buying Points vs Selling Points: What's the Difference?

Buying points and selling points are opposites. One makes your bet safer (but more expensive), and the other makes your bet riskier (but with better payout).

Buying Points (Moving Spread in Your Favor)

Buying points means paying extra juice to move the spread in your favor. This makes your bet safer but reduces your potential profit or requires you to risk more.

Example:

• Standard: Cowboys -7.5 at -110
• Buy 1 point: Cowboys -6.5 at -130

By buying one point, you now only need the Cowboys to win by 7 instead of 8. But you pay extra juice (-130 instead of -110), which means you risk $130 to win $100 instead of $110 to win $100.

When buying points makes sense:

• When you are crossing a key number like 3 or 7 in the NFL
• When you believe the game will be close and the half-point matters
• When the cost in juice is reasonable relative to the value gained

When buying points does NOT make sense:

• When you are crossing non-key numbers like 4, 5, or 6
• When the juice cost is too high
• When you are buying points just to feel safer without a real reason

Selling Points (Moving Spread Against Your Favor)

Selling points means moving the spread against your favor in exchange for better odds or plus money. This makes your bet riskier but increases your potential payout.

Example:

• Standard: Cowboys -7 at -110
• Sell 1 point: Cowboys -8 at +100

By selling one point, you now need the Cowboys to win by at least 9 instead of 8. But you get better odds (+100 instead of -110), which means you risk $100 to win $100 instead of $110 to win $100.

When selling points makes sense:

• When you believe the favorite will win big
• When you are selling away from a key number and getting good value in return
• When the plus-money odds justify the extra risk

When selling points does NOT make sense:

• When you are selling through a key number like 3 or 7
• When the extra risk is not worth the small improvement in odds
• When you are selling points just to chase a bigger payout

How Alternative Spread Pricing Works

Alternative spread pricing is based on how far you move from the standard line and whether you are crossing key numbers.

Juice Costs for Buying Points

The cost of buying points increases as you move further from the standard line. Crossing a key number is more expensive than crossing a non-key number.

Example (NFL):

• Standard: Cowboys -7 at -110
• Buy to -6.5: -120 (crossing through 7, expensive)
• Buy to -6: -130 (crossing through 7, very expensive)
• Buy to -5.5: -140
• Buy to -5: -145

Notice how the juice increases sharply when crossing from -7 to -6.5 because 7 is a key number in the NFL.

Odds Improvements for Selling Points

Selling points gives you better odds, but the improvement is usually smaller than the cost of buying points.

Example (NFL):

• Standard: Cowboys -7 at -110
• Sell to -8: +100 (small improvement)
• Sell to -9: +115 (better, but more risk)
• Sell to -10: +130 (crosses key number 10, bigger improvement)

Selling through key numbers gives you larger odds improvements because the sportsbook knows it is riskier.

Why Key Numbers Affect Pricing

Key numbers are margins that occur more frequently than others. In the NFL, 3, 7, and 10 are the most common margins because of how football is scored.

Sportsbooks charge extra juice to buy across key numbers and give larger odds improvements when you sell through them. This reflects the real-world value of those half-points.

For more on key numbers, see our Key Numbers in Spread Betting Guide.

When to Buy Points on a Spread

Buying points can be valuable in the right situations, but most bettors overuse it and pay too much juice for small gains.

Crossing Key Numbers (3 and 7 in NFL)

The main reason to buy points is to cross a key number. In the NFL, moving from -7.5 to -6.5 crosses the key number of 7, which significantly increases your chance of winning or pushing.

Example:

• Standard: Ravens -7.5 at -110
• Buy to -6.5 at -130

If the Ravens win by exactly 7, the standard bet loses but the alternate spread wins. That extra half-point is worth paying for in a sport where 7 is the most common margin after 3.

When the Juice Cost Is Reasonable

Buying points only makes sense when the juice cost is reasonable relative to the value gained. A general rule of thumb:

• Buying across a key number for 10-20 cents of juice is often worth it
• Buying across a non-key number is rarely worth it at any price
• Buying multiple points is almost never worth it

Example:

• Buy from -7.5 to -6.5 at -130: Often worth it (crossing 7)
• Buy from -6.5 to -5.5 at -140: Rarely worth it (not crossing a key number)

When You Believe the Game Will Be Close

If you have a strong read that the game will be decided by a small margin, buying a half-point can be valuable, especially around key numbers.

Example:

• You think the game will be decided by a field goal or touchdown
• Standard spread is -6.5, but you are nervous about a 7-point margin
• Buying to -6 for reasonable juice gives you peace of mind in a spot where 7 is likely

When to Sell Points on a Spread

Selling points can offer value when you believe the favorite will blow out the opponent or when the odds improvement justifies the extra risk.

When You Believe the Favorite Will Win Big

If you think the favorite will dominate, selling points can give you better odds without much added risk.

Example:

• Standard: Bills -6.5 at -110
• Sell to -8.5 at +110

If you believe the Bills will win by 10+, selling 2 points gives you plus-money odds with minimal downside.

Selling Away From Key Numbers

Selling points is less risky when you are moving away from key numbers rather than through them.

Example (selling away from 7):

• Standard: Cowboys -6.5 at -110
• Sell to -7.5 at +100

You are selling from 6.5 to 7.5, which does not cross a key number, so the risk is lower than selling from -7 to -8.

When the Plus-Money Odds Justify the Risk

Sometimes the odds improvement for selling points is large enough to justify the extra risk.

Example:

• Standard: 49ers -13.5 at -110
• Sell to -15.5 at +120

If you believe the 49ers will win by 20+, the extra 2 points of risk is worth the +120 payout instead of -110.

Alternative Spreads in Different Sports

Alternative spreads behave differently depending on the sport and scoring patterns.

NFL Alternative Spreads

The NFL is the best sport for alternative spreads because of key numbers. Buying across 3 and 7 offers real value, while selling through them is very risky.

Tips:

• Focus on buying across 3 and 7 when the juice is reasonable
• Avoid selling through 3 and 7 unless you are very confident
• Use alt spreads sparingly and only when you have a clear reason

NBA Alternative Spreads

The NBA has less rigid key numbers than the NFL because of the faster pace and higher scoring. Alt spreads can still be useful, but the value is harder to find.

Tips:

• Key numbers around 5-7 points are somewhat meaningful
• Late-game fouling creates volatility, so alt spreads are riskier
• Line shop aggressively because small differences compound over many games

MLB Run Line & NHL Puck Line Alternatives

Baseball and hockey use fixed ±1.5 spreads (run line and puck line), but sportsbooks also offer alternative spreads like -2.5 or +2.5.

Tips:

• Alt run lines and puck lines are priced like moneylines with a spread overlay
• Be cautious with selling points in low-scoring sports where one-run or one-goal games are common
• Use alt lines when you have a strong read on a blowout or competitive game

Common Mistakes With Alternative Spreads

Buying Points Across Non-Key Numbers

This is the most common mistake. Buying from -5.5 to -4.5 costs juice but does not cross a meaningful number. You are paying for value you are not getting.

Selling Through Key Numbers for Small Odds Gains

Selling from -7 to -8 in the NFL gives you a small odds improvement but adds significant risk because 7 is a key number.

Overusing Alternative Spreads

Most bettors would be better off sticking with the standard line. Alt spreads should be used selectively, not on every bet.

Ignoring Juice Costs

The juice cost of buying points compounds over time. If you are paying -130 or worse on every bet, you are raising your break-even win rate significantly.

Alternative Spreads in Parlays and SGPs

Alternative spreads are popular in same-game parlays (SGPs) and multi-game parlays because they let you adjust legs to create safer or higher-paying tickets.

Example (SGP):

• Leg 1: Cowboys -4.5 (buying from -6.5)
• Leg 2: Over 45.5 points
• Leg 3: Dak Prescott over 250.5 passing yards

By buying the Cowboys spread down, you create a safer parlay, but the payout will be lower than if you used the standard line.

Caution: Sportsbooks price SGPs to account for correlation, and adding alt spreads can further reduce value. Use alt spreads in parlays sparingly and only when you have a clear reason.

How to Use a Point Spread Calculator for Alternative Spreads

Before buying or selling points, use a calculator to see exactly how the odds and juice affect your payout and break-even rate.

Use the calculator to:

• Compare standard spread vs alternate spread payouts
• Calculate break-even win rates at different juice levels
• See how much extra juice you are paying to buy points

For more on using the calculator effectively, see our Point Spread Calculator Guide.

FAQs: Alternative Spreads

What are alternative spreads?

Alternative spreads (alt spreads) let you adjust the standard point spread up or down in exchange for different odds. Buying points moves the spread in your favor but costs extra juice. Selling points moves the spread against your favor but gives you better odds.

When should I buy points on a spread?

Buy points when you are crossing a key number like 3 or 7 in the NFL and the juice cost is reasonable. Avoid buying points across non-key numbers or when the juice is too expensive.

When should I sell points on a spread?

Sell points when you believe the favorite will win big and the odds improvement justifies the risk. Avoid selling through key numbers unless you are very confident in a blowout.

What are key numbers in NFL spreads?

Key numbers are margins that occur more frequently than others. In the NFL, 3, 7, and 10 are the most common margins because of how football is scored. Spreads that cross these numbers are more valuable.

How much does it cost to buy a point on a spread?

The cost varies by sportsbook and whether you are crossing a key number. Typically, buying one point costs 10-20 cents of extra juice (from -110 to -120 or -130). Buying across key numbers is more expensive.

Can I use alternative spreads in parlays?

Yes. Alternative spreads are popular in parlays because they let you adjust legs for safer or higher-paying tickets. However, sportsbooks price parlays to account for correlation, so use alt spreads sparingly.

Are alternative spreads worth it?

It depends. Buying across key numbers can offer value when the juice is reasonable. Selling points can offer value when you believe in a blowout. But most bettors overuse alt spreads and would be better off sticking with the standard line.

What is the difference between buying and selling points?

Buying points moves the spread in your favor and costs extra juice. Selling points moves the spread against your favor and gives you better odds or plus money.