What are Booking Points?
Booking Points are a numerical system deployed by bookmakers to assign value to yellow and red cards in a match. Typically, yellow cards are worth 10 points and reds are worth 25.
The markets can evoke confusion among rookie bettors. The system deployed to simplify card-based betting assigns a numerical value to yellow and red cards shown in a match, creating a points total for disciplinary outcomes.
Typically, bettors punt on a team’s cumulative booking points in a game, or, in certain markets, a player’s, exceeding or falling short of a set total.
Booking Points markets, often featured in Bet Builder tools, are increasingly popular among analytical users focusing on referee tendencies, rivalry intensity, or defensive tactics.
Those who are strategic in Booking Points markets understand a team, player, (particularly against a certain opposition) or referee’s behavioural habits.
Our guide breaks down Booking Points betting, and its available formats, and includes strategies to maximise your success in the card-based market.
Understand Booking Points Betting
Booking Points are a simplified way of betting on cards. Rather than guessing how many cards a team or match will receive, you’re wagering on the points value of those cards.
Most of the top bookmakers follow this standard system of weighing cards:
- Yellow card = 10 points
- Red card = 25 points
- Second yellow = treated as 10 + 25 = 35 points
Therefore, a single player can earn up to 35 Booking Points in a match (if sent off via two yellows). For team or match totals, these points are added and compared to a pre-set line by the bookmaker.
Here’s how Booking Points might look in a Premier League game between Chelsea and Tottenham, a fixture rarely shy of refereeing incident:
Market Selection | Meaning |
Over 40 Booking Points | The total booking points across both teams is 45 or higher |
Under 30 Booking Points | The total booking points across both teams is 25 or lower |
Chelsea Most Booking Points | Chelsea accumulate more points than Spurs |
Tottenham 20+ Booking Points | Tottenham receive at least two yellow cards (or one red) |
Player X To Be Carded | The selected player receives at least one yellow or red card |
This simplified method lets bettors focus on trends such as rivalry tension, referee strictness, or individual players’ disciplinary records.
Different Types of Booking Points Bets Explained
Typically, the market’s major betting sites or betting apps – Coral, Sky Bet, and Betfred, among several other established names – offer Booking Points markets as standalone bets, or combined with Bet Builder tools.
- Most Bet Builder tools enable punters to create multi-leg Booking Points selections, including “Over 50 Booking Points + Player X to be carded.”
- More standardised Booking Points-based options include: Total Booking Points (for one team or the entire match), Team to Receive Most Booking Points, Player To Be Carded, Time of First Card, and Red Card Shown? Yes/No
- More niche markets include: Exact Booking Points, Booking Points by Half, and Card Handicap, where one team is effectively given a head start in card accumulation.
Premier League Booking Points Stats 2025/26 - Arsenal boast clean record as Chelsea rack up points
Arsenal are the least 'dirty' side in the league after 10 gameweeks this season, with the Gunners picking up just 10 yellow cards from their first 10 games and no reds.
It's a similar story for Man United, who have just 10 yellows as well, however they've also picked up two reds, although this still sees them second in the fair play table.
City and Newcastle are also going well in this regard, sitting fifth and sixth in the fair play table respectively, whilst Liverpool's rocky recent form sees them sat ninth after 10 games.
One of the biggest surprises is Chelsea, as the Blues boast the most booking points in the league after the first 10 weeks of the season with 32.
Most of these have come from yellow cards, with Chelsea picking up 19, however they've also see six red cards this season, by far the most out of any other side.
When it comes to the most yellow, Bournemouth, Brighton and Everton sit 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, with these the three sides seemingly to target for any bookings bets going forward.
Booking Points Betting Strategies
To maximise value on Booking Points-related punts, bettors must be aware of the key factors that influence a game’s emotional, tactical, or historical tension, thus affecting its number of disciplinary matters.
For example, despite the intentions of PGMOL and various European football refereeing bodies, cards aren’t distributed evenly among officials. Some Premier League referees, most notably, Anthony Taylor and Paul Tierney, have developed reputations for being card-happy, while others are more lenient.
Of the referees who officiated over 15 matches during the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, their red card-per-game ratios ranged from 0.00 to 0.21. An analysis of previous seasons will reveal whether a referee’s recent habits are in response to individual incidents or representative of a long-term trend.
That said, the days of colossal figures Roy Keane and Patrice Viera colliding in aggression-fuelled grudge matches are behind us. Still, several fixtures, including Arsenal Vs. Tottenham, Tottenham Vs. Chelsea, and Liverpool Vs. Everton has statistically higher probabilities of yellow and red card brandishment.
Arteta’s “masters of the dark arts” Arsenal team conceded the joint most red cards of any Premier League team this season. Gambling on the Gunners to rack up a substantial Booking Point total in tricky away fixtures could pay dividends.
In contrast, possession-heavy teams like Manchester City often draw fewer fouls and receive fewer cards — making “City Under 30 Booking Points” a consistent value pick, especially against mid-table opposition.
Player-based bets also reward research. Tacklers, combative midfielders, or full-backs tasked with marking electric wingers are the most likely candidates for caution. Consider selecting them in "To Be Carded" markets at enhanced odds.
Booking Points - FAQs
Can I combine Booking Points with other bets?
Yes, most bookmakers allow you to combine Booking Points markets with other selections using Bet Builder, including goals, corners, and player stats.
Do all cards count toward Booking Points?
Yes, yellow and red cards shown within 90 minutes to players on the pitch count. Cards shown to managers or players after the final whistle usually don’t.