What Does Alt Points Mean on FanDuel? (NBA Betting Term Explained)

If you’re an NBA bettor on FanDuel, you may have seen the option for “Alt Points” when looking at player props or game lines. So What Does Alt Points Mean on FanDuel? Alt Points is short for “alternate points”, which refers to alternate point lines that differ from the standard line set by the sportsbook​

In simple terms, alt points let you bet on a player (or team) scoring more or fewer points than the main line, with the odds adjusting based on the alternate number. This feature gives you more flexibility to choose point thresholds like 20+, 25+, 30+ points for a player instead of just the regular over/under line.

Understanding Alt Points in NBA Betting

In NBA betting, the sportsbook (like FanDuel) will set a main points line for each player’s scoring prop in a game. For example, a star player might have a standard points line of 29.5 points, meaning you can bet over or under 29.5 points at roughly even odds (around -110 each way)​

This main line represents the bookmaker’s expectation for that player’s scoring.

Alt points are simply alternate point totals you can choose to bet on instead of that main line. The sportsbook provides a range of alternate totals both lower and higher than the standard line, each with its own odds. You might see a player’s alt points listed as a series of “X+ points” options (X or more points). These allow you to adjust the risk/reward:

• Lower alt point total (easier requirement) – e.g. betting a player to score 20+ points (which is easier than 30+). This will have very low risk but a low payout, often heavy negative odds (for instance, a superstar to score 20+ might be around -1000 odds​ since it’s very likely).
• Higher alt point total (harder requirement) – e.g. betting a player to score 35+ points. This is less likely than the standard line, so it offers a higher payout (for example, if the main line is ~29.5, an alternate line of 34.5 points might pay around +480 for the over.

In other words, alt points let you pick different point thresholds for a player’s scoring prop beyond the default line. By doing so, the odds (vig) will adjust: choosing an easier line means you’ll “pay” more juice (worse odds for a smaller win), while choosing a riskier line yields bigger potential payouts if it hits​

Alt Points in NBA Player Prop Bets

Alternate points are especially popular in NBA player prop bets. Instead of being limited to the one over/under line, you can bet a player to score at least a certain number of points. FanDuel will typically present these as selections like “Player X 15+ points, 20+ points, 25+ points, 30+ points,” etc., each with corresponding odds. For example, imagine LeBron James’ standard line is 29.5 points (over/under -110). FanDuel might offer alt point lines such as:

• LeBron 25+ points – a safer bet (over 24.5) with odds maybe around -300 (a heavy favorite, since 25 is below his average).
• LeBron 30+ points – slightly above the main line (over 29.5) with maybe +120 odds (underdog, but quite achievable on a good night).
• LeBron 35+ points – well above his average (over 34.5) with long odds, e.g. +480 for the over, since he’d need an explosive game to hit 35+.
• (If offered) LeBron 20+ points – very conservative line (over 19.5) perhaps around -1000 odds, basically a gimme if he’s healthy (this might appear in parlays or special markets for a minimal payout​.

Each of these alt lines is essentially a prop bet on LeBron’s points with a different threshold. If you take “LeBron 30+ points”, you win the bet if he scores 30 or more; if he scores 29 or less, the bet loses. The sportsbook balances the probability with the payout — the higher the point target, the higher the potential payout when betting the over (and conversely, the under on a high target is very likely to hit but comes with steep juice)​

An example of alternate point lines (shown as X+ points) for NBA players. Sportsbooks often list multiple alt point options for each player, letting you choose a higher or lower scoring benchmark with adjusted odds. For instance, a star player might have 25+, 30+, or 35+ point lines available, each with its own odds reflecting the difficulty of that outcome. NBA alt points props are commonly used in both single bets and parlays to customize risk.​

As the image and examples illustrate, alt player props give you many choices. A top player could have 10 or more alternate point totals offered​ from very low totals (easy overs) to very high totals (long-shot overs). This means you can essentially “ladder” a player’s points: for instance, bet on 20+, 25+, 30+ all in the same game, or pick the one threshold that matches your confidence. It’s a flexible way to capitalize on your read of a player’s performance. If you expect a breakout performance, you might take a higher alt points line for a bigger payoff. If you’re less certain, you could stick to a lower alt line to be safe (or include it as a leg in a parlay).

How to Find Alt Points Lines on FanDuel

Finding alt point bets on the FanDuel Sportsbook platform is straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s how you can typically access them for an NBA game:

1. Navigate to the Game or Player Props – Select the NBA game you’re interested in. Under the betting markets for that game, find the “Player Points” prop section. By default, you might see the main line for each prominent player.
2. Look for “Alt” or “Alternate” Options – FanDuel often provides a toggle or dropdown for alternate lines. You might see a small link like “Alternate Points” or a plus (+) sign next to the player’s line. Clicking the player’s prop or an arrow might expand a list of alternate point totals.
3. View the Alt Lines – Once expanded, you’ll see multiple rows of point totals with odds. These could be listed as X.5 over/under lines or as “X+” point milestones. For instance, under a player’s prop you may see lines like 15.5, 18.5, 21.5, 24.5, etc., each with an over and under odd. In many cases, FanDuel simplifies it by listing the “to score X+” format, which essentially corresponds to the over on that number.
4. Select Your Desired Line – Choose the alternate point total that you want to bet on. If you’re in the Same Game Parlay interface, you might directly see options like Player to score 20+ (-200), 25+ (+100), 30+ (+300), etc., which you can then add to your bet slip with a tap. On the standard betting interface, selecting an alt line will usually add the over for that line to your slip (you could also choose the under on that alt line if available).

Remember that the layout can differ slightly between the desktop site, mobile site, or app, but the concept is the same. Look for the term “Alternate” or the “+” plus-sign format next to player point props. FanDuel provides these extra options to give bettors more choices beyond the primary line.

Alt Points vs. Standard Point Lines (Comparison)

It’s helpful to compare a standard points line to some alternate lines for a clear picture of how alt points work. The table below illustrates the difference using a hypothetical example for a high-scoring player:

In this example, the standard line is 29.5 points with roughly equal odds on either side. If you choose an alternate lower line (24.5), the over 24.5 is very likely to hit (hence the steep -400 odds), while under 24.5 is a long shot (+300). Conversely, for an alternate higher line (34.5), the over 34.5 is unlikely (but lucrative at +480), and under 34.5 is very probable (reflected by -600 odds)​

A real-world example of this concept: Kevin Durant’s scoring line might normally be around the high 20s. Betting him 20+ points is usually almost a sure thing (one season opener, Durant 20+ was priced at about -1000 odds before being boosted​, whereas betting him 35+ on a given night could pay out many times your money. The key difference is that standard lines offer balanced odds and serve as the baseline expectation, while alt lines let you take on more or less risk by moving that line. The sportsbook adjusts the payouts accordingly.

Key Takeaways from the comparison:

• Probability vs Payout: Lower point lines hit more often but pay less; higher lines hit less often but pay more. You decide where on this spectrum you want to bet.
• Alternate lines are still correlated to the main line: They’re just different points on the distribution of outcomes. If the main over/under feels tough to call, an alt line might match your confidence level better.

Why Use Alt Points? Strategy and When to Bet Them

Why would a bettor use alt points lines instead of just betting the regular line? There are several strategic reasons:

• Tailoring Risk/Reward: Alt points let you adjust the bet to your confidence level. If you feel very confident a player will have a strong game, you might go bold with a higher alt line for a bigger payoff. If you’re slightly confident but want to play safer, you might choose a lower alt line, accepting a smaller win for a more likely outcome. This flexibility allows you to “buy” points or “sell” points on player props similar to adjusting a spread.
• Improving Parlay Value: Often bettors use alt points to boost odds in parlays. The regular line at -110 might not move the needle much in a parlay, but an alternate at plus odds can increase the parlay payout. We’ll discuss same-game parlays in the next section, but suffice to say alt lines are a tool to strategically combine bets.
• Exploit Mismatches or News: If you have information or a strong opinion (e.g., a key teammate is out, meaning a player will take on more scoring load), you might find value in a higher alt over. For instance, if a team’s top scorer is injured, the second option might suddenly be able to exceed his usual points — taking his alt over lines can capitalize on that scenario.
• Hedging or Middling Opportunities: Some advanced bettors use alternate lines to hedge bets or to “middle” a game. For example, if you bet a standard over 29.5 but the line moves or circumstances change, you could take an alt under on a higher number to cover a range of outcomes. While more complex, alt lines provide these additional options for savvy bettors.
• Entertainment and Big Hits: Let’s face it, sometimes it’s fun to chase a big payout if you think a player might drop a career-high. Alt points lines allow for those lottery-ticket style bets. Alternatively, if you just want some action on a player without much sweat, a low alt over (like 10+ points for a role player) can make the game enjoyable with minimal risk of losing. It adds an extra layer of engagement to your viewing​.

Overall, alternate points give more control to the bettor. You’re not stuck with the one line the book offers​

You can choose a threshold that aligns with how you see the game unfolding. This strategic control can be valuable – but remember that the sportsbook’s adjusted odds ensure that, over the long run, easier bets pay less and harder bets pay more. Always consider whether the odds fairly reflect the true chances of the outcome.

Alt Points in Same-Game Parlays (SGPs)

Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) have become extremely popular on FanDuel, and alt points are a staple of many NBA SGP strategies. In a same-game parlay, you combine multiple bets from one game. FanDuel’s interface makes it easy to add a player’s alternate point total as one leg of a parlay. Here’s why alt points are commonly used in SGPs:

• Boosting Odds: By taking a slightly riskier alt line, you can significantly increase the parlay’s overall odds. For example, instead of parlaying a star’s standard over 29.5 (-110) with another bet, you might take him 35+ points (+odds). If you pair multiple such alt selections, the parlay payout jumps. Many bettors will choose a mix of moderately ambitious alt lines (like two players 25+ points each) to get a nice combined odds boost while still keeping each leg reasonably attainable.
• Correlated Outcomes: In a single NBA game, player performances are often correlated. If you think two stars will engage in a scoring duel, you might parlay both to go over their alt points (e.g. each 30+). Or if you believe one team will dominate, you might take a star’s over on points along with the alt point spread for that team. FanDuel allows these combinations and prices the parlay accordingly.
• Flexibility to Match Game Script: SGP bettors love alt lines because they can craft a story. If your read is a high-scoring shootout, you load up on multiple overs with alt points. If you expect a defensive game, perhaps you include an under on an alt points line (taking a star under a slightly lower total for safer odds). Alt points give you granularity to fit bets to your expected narrative of the game.
• Examples of Alt Points SGP Legs: You might see users share parlays like “Giannis 25+ points, Jrue Holiday 15+ points, Bucks -5.5 alt spread”. Each of those “+” legs is an alternate line. By not requiring Giannis’ full standard line (maybe 30+), the bettor chooses 25+ (safer), and pairs it with other outcomes. Or conversely, someone might do “Lillard 30+ points, Team win, Over 220 alt total” for a high payout. The possibilities are endless, and alt lines are what make a lot of these parlays possible. FanDuel often promotes pre-built SGPs where several players just need to hit modest alt totals (like 15+ or 20+ points) – these are appealing because each leg is likely, but together the parlay odds are attractive.

Do keep in mind: while SGPs with alt points can offer thrilling potential returns, the more legs you add (even “safe” ones), the more the risk multiplies. Sportsbooks set SGP odds to account for correlation. It’s wise to find a balance – alt points can help by reducing risk on a given leg (taking a lower threshold) even as you increase risk by adding more legs. Many bettors will use alt points as anchor legs – high-probability outcomes to stabilize a parlay – or as lottery legs – low-probability high-reward shots to super-charge a parlay payout.

Final Thoughts on Alt Points for NBA Bets

Alt points on FanDuel open up a new dimension of NBA betting beyond the standard lines. For a bettor who’s already familiar with the platform, understanding alt points means you can better customize your wagers. Whether you’re adjusting a point spread or a player prop, the alternate lines feature is all about giving you control over how much risk vs reward you want to take on​

In NBA player props, alt point lines (e.g. 20+, 25+, 30+ points) let you bet on a player’s performance with precision. You might use them to find safer picks for parlays, to seek bigger payoffs on a hunch, or to navigate around a tricky main line. The popularity of same-game parlays has only increased the visibility of alt points, as bettors combine multiple alternate stats to craft exciting high-odds bets.

In summary, “Alt Points” on FanDuel means alternate point lines – giving you the option to bet a player (or team) over/under a different point total than the default. It’s a powerful tool in an NBA bettor’s arsenal. By knowing how alt points work and when to use them, you can enhance your betting strategy and potentially find better value or more fun in your NBA wagers. As always, use these options wisely: consider the odds, have a rationale for the lines you choose, and enjoy the added flexibility that alt points provide in NBA betting on FanDuel.