Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers were 6.5-point underdogs in NFL betting against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 of the 2021 season. Perhaps you heard the Steelers “catching six and the hook” in the game.
What does that mean?
What is the Hook?
There are simple terms and concepts in online sports betting, including underdog or the spread. And there are complex terms and concepts in online sports betting, including double chance or round-robin parlay.
The hook is the latter, a simple term that means half of a point. It applies to all sports but is most commonly referenced in NFL and college football betting, where half points are common and critical.
For the Steelers-Packers’ spread, someone might say, “The Packers are favored by six and the hook,” which is no different than saying, “The Packers are favored by six and a half points.”
The Hook Means No Push
Najee Harris’ one-yard rushing touchdown with four minutes remaining trimmed the Steelers’ deficit to 10 points, 27-17. Had the Steelers added a field goal in the final minutes – instead of throwing an interception on their next drive, which resulted in a 27-17 final score – they would’ve trailed by seven points.
If the spread was also seven points and the final score was 27-20, it would’ve been a push, which results in a refunded bet. If there’s a hook, there can’t be a push in most sports, including, obviously, football.
If the Steelers added a field goal and the final score was 27-20, they would’ve failed to cover the spread. If the game had gone differently and they lost by six points, they would’ve covered the spread.
More Sports Betting Terms
The hook is one of several sports betting terms worth knowing while placing a bet online at the BetMGM sportsbook. You can learn about more betting terms, including reverse line movement, key numbers, public money, and more with the BetMGM Sports Betting Glossary.
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