Sports Betting Guide and Terms - First Half Bet

Definition

A first half bet is a bet than a sports gambler places on the first half of a sports event. These bets are usually derived from the full game line.

What types of bets are offered in first half betting?

Depending on the sportsbook, most first half betting lines include the pointspread, moneyline, and the over/under. Some books even offer prop bets on the first half (ie. over/under on the number of points scored by a particular team).

Why bet the first half?

There are some spots where betting the first half can actually be more profitable than betting the full game spread. For example, there are some teams that strangely streak in the first half (either good or bad). Another first half angle is backing the home team in the first half is generally also a good bet to make. Thirdly, in games where the full game line is inflated, one may also find the first half line to be inflated. In this case, a sports bettor may take advantage of 2 inflated lines (full game and first half).

How is a first half line devised?

First half lines are usually created by halving the full game line. Sometimes, if a line moves in either direction, the first half line is not moved as quickly—the bettor can actually have value in the other side in this situation.

Middling opportunities

In some situations, sportsbooks may actually have different lines for the first half on the same game. This happens when the full game line moves, but the first half line is not moved (some sportsbooks are slower to change than others). In this spot, a bettor may actually be able to middle the outcome—betting on both sides. The bettor, at worst, will simply lose juice; at best, the bettor will ‘middle’ and hit both bets (this occurs when the outcome lands in the middle of the two bets).

Summary

First half bets are simply bets that depend on the outcome on the first half of a sports game. A sports gambler may elect to bet either side against the spread (ATS), to bet the moneyline, or to bet the over/under. Some sportsbooks also offer first half prop bets. There are some angles that can be used to beat the sportsbook, as it relates to betting on the first half: some include betting on the home team, betting on streaking first half teams (good or bad), etc. Also, since some sportsbooks do not move their first half lines, a sports gambler may middle such bets.