There are several different ways bettors use the halftime wager, but for the most part, they use it more as a hedge bet. No matter how you want to bet a halftime bet, it is just another fun way to bet.

A quick example of a halftime wager:

Lets say you have a bet on the Dolphins and Bills game. The Dolphins were favored by 3 and are up 14-7 at halftime. At halftime a new bet comes out with a new spread. Most of the cases in which a team that is favored at the beginning of the game is up by more than the original spread, the underdog will most likely be favored in the second half.

With this example, the Bills being 3 point underdogs at the beginning of the game and find themselves down by 7 at halftime are most likely going to be favored in the second half by at least 3. Another example of this bet deals with the over/under. Lets still use the Dolphins/Bills game. The original over under of the game was 46. With it being a total of 21 points in the first half, the likelihood of the over/under of the second half to be more than 21 is a great possibility. Most likely, the over/under in the second half will be somewhere around 24 to 26.

One of the biggest reasons for the halftime bet for a bettor is to hedge their bet. The thing with betting is, winning is great, losing sucks and a push is ok! Breaking even is a lot better than losing! With a halftime wager, you could possibly take that losing part out if the right bet is made.

Example of halftime betting:

Let's stick with the Dolphins/Bills game. Lets say the Dolphins were favored by 3.5 and are up at halftime 24-7. The halftime bet comes out and the Bills are favored by 4. Your original bet was the Dolphins. Well, right now they look pretty good in covering the bet right? But you want to hedge your bet just to be on the safe side. So if you were to hedge your bet, you would bet on the Bills in the second half -4. Here are the possible scenarios that could play out:

1) The Bills go all out in the second half and win the game 28-27. Well, your original bet of the Dolphins -3.5 is down the drain BUT you did take the Bills in the second half so that bet covered. OUTCOME: HEDGE BET= PUSH

2) The Bills come out in the second half and get smoked and lose the game 41-10. You win your original bet of the Dolphins -3.5 BUT lose the second half bet of the Bills -4. OUTCOME: HEDGE=PUSH

3) The Bills come out in the second half and make a valiant effort but get beat 27-21. You win your original bet of the Dolphins -3.5 AND your second half bet of the Bills -4 because the Bills outscored the Dolphins in the second half 14-3. OUTCOME: HEDGE=DOUBLE YOUR MONEY.

To me, this is the best way to bet a halftime bet. Pushing beats losing any day of the week!

The halftime wager is just another way to bet on a sporting event. It keeps you intrigued with the second half of even a blowout game! Just realize this when it comes to halftime wagering: You don't get days, weeks, etc. to analyze the bet like you would with a regular spread on a game. You get about 10 minutes to figure it out and go from there. Choose wisely!

Halftime betting can be very beneficial to bettors that know what they are doing and have watched the first half with a purpose. The sports books only have a short time to put up a line for the second half and because of the short time frame, the so called smart money has not moved the lines yet. This is a golden opportunity for you to make money if you have done the research before the game has started and have watched the first half closely.

Examples of pre-game research are to see how the teams play in the first half compared to the second half. Look at their stats and points scored for each half and make charts for when they are behind and in front at halftime. Some coaches play close to the vest during the 1st half and then come out and throw every play at the opposition in the second half. Other coaches look to jump on a team in the first half and then try to take the air out of the ball in the second half.

Chart these teams accordingly. Chart how teams play on the road and at home, inside the division and outside the division for each of the scenarios above. This is only some of the basic chart examples. If you make these charts and watch the first half of the game with a purpose you can find opportunities for you to make money. You may have to hold off on the pizza and beer until after the second half starts so your head is clear and you are focused on winning some money. We will be offering as a bonus in our football packages, possible 2nd half plays to all our subscribers, this season.

How do we know that the second half plays might be there? In our research we look for possible outcomes in the first half and predict the second half. This could be for a side or a total.

Halftime betting example:

We liked the over in the in the Houston Bowl last year but thought the total was too high at 72. We waited to see how the 1st half played out. We were hoping for a low scoring first half but with both teams moving the ball, just not converting the movement into points. Both teams combined to lose the ball inside the opponents' 5-yard line 3 times. This presented a golden opportunity to snatch a total for the over in the second half. When the line was posted we jumped on the over and then watched in misbelieve that it actually went down.

So we bet it again, because we did our homework and felt the total would be an easy over in the second half. As the game proceeded the overall total of 72 was never approached but the second half total was an easy winner.

So what should you do? Chart teams the first 3 weeks and see how the coaching staff and the team plays in the 1st half and 2nd half. You should have a good feel for what they are doing and what they are capable of doing after a few weeks. When you are ready to bet, have a couple of games picked out and scenarios written down. Watch the game with a purpose. Leave the brews in the fridge and scout the preview of the 1st half. At halftime if you have a chance to cash in on one of the scenarios then do so. Keep charting the teams and expand to home and away, behind or in front for all your tables.

When to Bet and When to Stay Put, this sounds easy but there are a lot of greedy gamblers out there. They seem to think it is a crime to win so they bet more to enhance their winnings. The best time to bet at halftime is to pick a dog in the second half.

Why is that? Teams in the lead, especially in the NFL, usually will not try to hammer teams in the second half. Players and coaches in the lead by a large margin start thinking about the next week and/or lose the emotion in the second half. Taking an underdog in the second half for the side is the only way to go if you want to stay in the game longer. It is the safest way to bet during the second half. Here is one specific situation and example.

Taking an underdog with extra points is another winning proposition. Betting the favorite or a team at a pick-em in the second half usually will be a losing proposition. What am I talking about? Read the examples below.

Smart halftime betting:

Example: Team A is favored by 1 point to start the game and leads Team B by 4 points at half. If Team A is favored by 1 point again at half, you should bet Team B with the point. Numbers wise if you take Team B, it is like getting 5 points for the game. They are already down 4 and now you are getting 1 more point. If they lose the game by 3 points you win because they covered the 1-point in the second half.

Not So Smart halftime betting:

Same example as above but you take the favorite in the second half. Many bettors that have picked Team A in the beginning bet them again in the second half. I do not understand the theory except that bettors want to win, win, win.

Well if they are laying 1 point and are up 4 why the hell are they laying another point, total of 5 points for the game?? I am guessing that they think if they hedge they will only break even and/or their team is up 4 so what is another point. Greedy bettors usually end up at some cash loan store cashing their future paycheck looking for the big score. Stop, there is no big score, go play the lottery. Investment into football betting is just that, an investment. Playing to hedge your bet and possibly win twice is much more productive than laying all your little marbles in one bag.

We will giving out more examples of when to look for an advantage in the future Nose Bleed Sections of thehooks book ezine. Be sure to read Thehooks book for our most recent free football picks. You would have read this article already through Thehooks book.

Leo Mendelsohn
Richard Peraldo
Thehooks
http://www.thehooksfootballpicks.com