Hook
The half-point on a spread or total; e.g. -7.5 instead of -7. Eliminates the possibility of a push.
The hook is the .5 attached to a spread or total. It matters because integer spreads can push (e.g. -7 against a 7-point win refunds the bet); spreads with hooks cannot.
Sportsbooks adjust juice when moving across hooks:
- Packers -7 -110 → Packers -7.5 -120 (you pay more juice to avoid the push)
- Packers -7.5 +100 → Packers -7 -110 (the book pays a half-point premium for the push insurance)
NFL hooks around key numbers (3, 7, 10) are the most expensive because so many games land exactly on those margins.