How Many Booking Points for a Yellow Card in Football?
Understanding booking points helps make sense of both the flow of a football match and how certain betting markets are settled. If you’ve wondered what a yellow or red card is “worth” in points, you’re in the right place.
In this blog post, you’ll find a clear run-through of how booking points are calculated, what they mean for yellow cards, how bookmakers use them, and how timing and competitions can affect things. We’ll also cover red cards and what happens with extra time.
Read on to learn more.
What Are Booking Points in Football?
Booking points are a simple way to measure the disciplinary cards shown in a match. Referees issue yellow and red cards for offences, and bookmakers assign each card a points value. Those values are added up to give a total for the game.
Because the points are numerical, they can be used to create markets that focus on discipline rather than the final score. Instead of asking who will win, some markets ask how many points will be shown across the 90 minutes.
With that in mind, the next question is obvious: What does a single yellow card count for?
How Many Booking Points Is a Yellow Card Worth?
In most football betting markets, a yellow card is worth 10 booking points.
This value is widely used across major bookmakers, so each yellow card typically adds 10 points to the running total. Rules can vary, though, so it is always worth checking how a specific market defines its points before placing a bet.
Knowing the value of a yellow card makes it easier to follow the totals as a match unfolds.
How Do Booking Points Work in Football Betting?
Booking points convert cards into a tally that markets can be built around. Each yellow and red card has a set number of points, and those points are added together to form the total for the match.
Common markets include total booking points for the game, over or under a stated line, and which team will end with the higher total. Some bookmakers also offer team or player-specific totals. Settlement depends on the market rules provided, including which cards count and when they count.
Because every bookmaker sets their own terms, you might want to read the market notes so you know exactly what will and will not be included if you’re considering betting on booking points.
Do Red Cards Add More Booking Points?
Yes. A red card is usually assigned 25 booking points, compared to 10 for a yellow.
There is one wrinkle to be aware of. If a player receives two yellows and is then shown a red, some bookmakers count both yellow cards and the resulting red. On those markets, that sequence could add up to 35 points for the player involved. Other bookmakers may handle this differently, so always check the rules of the market you are using.
This is why the wording of each market matters, particularly when second yellows are involved.
When Do Booking Points Count in a Match?
Booking points usually apply to the 90 minutes of normal time plus any stoppage time added by the referee.
Most bookmakers do not include cards shown in extra time or during a penalty shootout in the booking points totals for standard markets. If a competition or bookmaker has a different approach, it will be explained in the market terms.
We look at extra time and penalties in a little more detail below.
How Are Booking Points Used in Football Markets?
Bookmakers use booking points to create clear, measurable markets around discipline. The most familiar examples are totals for a match, either as a fixed number to hit or as an over or under line set in advance. There are also head-to-head team markets, where the team with the higher points total is the winner on that market.
Some bookmakers go further with player-focused markets or team totals. In all cases, prices reflect factors such as the typical style of the teams involved and the referee’s historical card rates. The structure stays the same: cards become points, and points decide the outcome of the market.
If a market has any exceptions, they will be stated in its rules section.
Can Extra Time or Penalty Shootouts Affect Booking Points?
Booking points are generally settled on events within normal time and stoppage time only. Cards shown in extra time or during a penalty shootout are typically excluded from standard booking points markets.
If a particular competition or bookmaker includes those periods, it will be made clear in the market description, so a quick check of the terms is worthwhile.
Are Booking Points the Same Across All Competitions?
Booking points values are set by bookmakers, not by leagues or tournament organisers. The yellow card value of 10 points and the red card value of 25 points are commonly used across domestic and international fixtures.
That said, a bookmaker may apply specific rules for certain competitions or promotional markets. Differences can include how second yellows are treated or whether specific card types are counted. A brief look at the market details will confirm what applies to the match you are following.
Understanding this can help you track the totals more easily, no matter which competition is in play.
Bet on Booking Points Online at Mr Luck
If you’re interested in booking points markets, you’ll find a range of football options on Mr Luck, including totals, over/under lines, and team-specific stats. We’ve made the platform straightforward to use, with clear information on how booking points are calculated before you place a bet.
As a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licensed site, we also offer tools like deposit limits and time-outs, which you can use to manage your experience in a way that best suits your preferences.
Feel free to visit Mr Luck and take your time exploring the football markets we’ve put together—whether you’re just browsing or placing a bet, you’re welcome to look around and get familiar with how it all works.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.