Hook

Hook

Basic Betting

Definition

Slang for a half-point in a point spread. The “hook” is what prevents a push on whole-number spreads.

Formula

0.5 added to a spread (e.g. 7½ is “seven and a hook”).

Example

If the spread is 3.5 (three and a **hook**), a favorite must win by 4 or more to cover, whereas winning by exactly 3 would not cover.