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What Are Alt Points in Sports Betting?

September 5, 2024

What Are Alt Points in Sports Betting?

Alternate lines, often referred to as “alt lines,” offer bettors a unique opportunity to tweak the standard betting line, giving them more control over their wager. By shifting the line up or down, you can either take on more risk for a larger payout or play it safer with a smaller return.

US sportsbooks offer alt lines across a variety of sports and markets, particularly for totals and spreads in major leagues. This guide will break down how alt lines work, with real examples from different sports and bet types, and help you use them effectively in your betting strategy.

How Alternate Points Work in Sports Betting

Alternate points, or “alt points,” are like the main betting line stretched out in both directions. Think of them as a more aggressive take on teasers — while teasers let you shift the line a few points, alt lines give you even more room to maneuver.

The further you push the alt points from the main line, the more the odds and risk profile shift between the two sides of the bet.

US sportsbooks offer alt lines for almost every bet type except futures and moneylines. Alt lines are typically listed out, although some betting sites like Caesars offer a slider that you can use to tweak the line.

Here’s an example of how alt points work for totals in an MLB game between the Dodgers and the Brewers. The sportsbook sets the main line at 8 runs for the over/under (totals) bet, with -110 odds on both sides.

Here’s how alt lines might play out from there, giving you options to adjust your bet to match your strategy.

Alt Line	Over Odds	Under Odds
4.5	-680	+419
5	-576	+372
5.5	-331	+237
6	-293	+213
6.5	-223	+167
7	-182	+138
7.5	-134	+103
8.5	+105	-134
9	+132	-173
9.5	+156	-207
10	+190	-256
10.5	+208	-284
11	+275	-393
11.5	+302	-442
12	+371	-575
12.5	+391	-620

Alt Lines in Different Sports

Alternate lines, or “alt lines,” are available across all major US sportsbooks, but the range of options can vary significantly between them. For example, some sportsbooks offer around 10 alt lines for NFL spreads, while others provide 20 or more.

Take FanDuel, for instance. During an NFL preseason game, they offered over 60 different spread lines. To put that in perspective, I zoomed out to 75% on the screenshot, and I still couldn’t capture even a fifth of the available options.

DraftKings doesn’t just stick to the major leagues when it comes to alt lines — they go beyond, offering them for sports like the WNBA, too. For a game between the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx, they had over 20 different options on the board.

Only a few sportsbooks offer alt lines for other sports. Be365 is a rare provider that does, even for secondary markets like tennis. The selection isn’t as comprehensive as for major sports, but it still gives you more options.

Alt Lines in Different Bet Types

Sportsbooks offer alt lines for all sorts of bet types, with futures and moneylines being the main exceptions. You’ll often find them with spreads and totals, along with derivatives like individual team totals and halftime spreads.

Alt Lines in Spreads

Beyond full-game spreads, you can also find alt lines for specific periods within a game. For example, Bet365 offers alternate lines for each quarter in basketball games.

Let’s look at a game between the Mercury and the Sky from the screenshot above, where the Mercury started as a -2.5 point favorite on the spread. When you reduce their handicap, you increase their chances of covering the spread but also lower the potential payout. For example, by adjusting the line from the original -2.5 to +0.5, you increase their chances of covering (now they just need to win by any margin), but the odds drop from -110 to -175.

The opposite holds true for the Sky. With the original line, they were +2.5 underdogs, meaning they’d cover if they lost by less than 3 points or won outright, with odds of -110. If you flip the line and make them -2.5 favorites, they need to win by at least 3 points, but the odds jump to +200.

Alt Lines in Totals

You’ll find alt lines for full-game totals in almost every major sport. However, some sportsbooks, like Caesars, take it a step further by offering alt lines for individual team totals. For example, they might provide around 20 options for home and away team runs in an MLB game.

At Bet365, you can find totals lines for both teams combined for specific quarters.

In this example, the pattern is clear: as you lower the points total, the odds on the over decrease, while the odds on the under increase. The reverse is also true — raising the total points line reduces the odds on the under and increases them on the over. This dynamic allows you to adjust your bet based on how you expect the game to play out.

Alt Lines in Props Bets

Most US sportsbooks offer alt lines for some props bets, but you’ll usually find more options for player props than game props. DraftKings is probably the top choice for props alt lines — they have the widest selection. For example, you can find alt lines for pitcher props, like strikeouts thrown, giving you more ways to customize your bets based on specific player performances.

DraftKings also offers alt lines for specific game props, like both teams to score X+ runs in MLB games.

Bet365 offers a version of alt lines for player props through what they call milestones. Instead of smaller increments, like 1 or 0.5 points, they provide options in more extensive ranges, typically 5 or more. This approach gives you a different way to target higher or lower thresholds in player performance, allowing for bigger swings in potential payouts.

Alt Lines in Parlays

As a general rule, you can combine alt lines from different games in a parlay. For example, you can pair an alt line from one MLB matchup with an alt line from another MLB game.

However, not all sportsbooks allow you to merge alt lines from the same game for every bet type. For instance, DraftKings doesn’t let you combine two lines for both teams to score X+ runs in the same game.

On the flip side, Caesars allows you to combine multiple alt lines for the away team’s points in the same game (create a same-game parlay from alt lines).

How to Bet Alt Points Efficiently?

Betting alt points can be a powerful strategy, but it requires a different approach than betting on standard lines. Here’s how to get the most out of your alt-point wagers:

Look for value in key numbers: In sports like football, certain numbers (like 3 and 7) are crucial because they’re common margins of victory. Consider how moving off or onto these key numbers impacts your bet’s value when adjusting alt points.
Target low-scoring games: Even minor adjustments to the line can have a significant impact in low-scoring games. Use alt points to stretch your advantage when the margins are tight. This is particularly effective in sports like soccer or hockey, where goals are scarce.
Exploit blowouts: If you expect a one-sided game, use alt points to push the line in favor of the dominant team. The higher risk often comes with significantly better odds, making it worth the gamble in these scenarios.
Use alt points in live betting: Lines shift rapidly in live betting, and alt points can give you an edge if you sense the momentum swinging. Adjust the line to capture value as a game unfolds, especially if you’re confident in a comeback or a collapse.
Combine alt points with props: Some sportsbooks allow you to pair alt points with prop bets. For example, if you’re betting on a team to cover a larger spread, you might also consider betting on a player from that team to exceed their points or yards total.

Alternate Points in Sports Betting FAQ

What are alt points in sports betting?

Alt points allow you to adjust the standard betting line to increase or decrease the risk and potential payout. You can move the line in favor of one team or the other, giving you more control over your bet.

How do alt points differ from standard betting lines?

With standard lines, the sportsbook sets a fixed spread or total. Alt points let you move that line, making the bet riskier for a higher potential payout or safer for a lower return.

Which sports offer alt points?

Alt points are commonly available in major sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Some sportsbooks also offer them for other sports, including soccer and hockey, and even secondary markets like tennis.

Can you use alt points in parlays?

Yes, you can combine alt points from different games in a parlay. However, not all sportsbooks allow you to combine alt points from the same game for all bet types. Always check the sportsbook’s rules.

Are alt points available for props?

Some sportsbooks offer alt points for player and game props. For example, you might find alt points for player totals, like strikeouts in baseball or points in basketball.

Why should I bet alt points?

Alt points offer the flexibility to customize your bet based on your confidence level. Depending on your strategy, they can help you manage risk or aim for higher payouts.