Definition of First to X Points

What does the term "first to X points" mean in the world of sports betting? What is meant by "first to X points"?

The "first to X points" lines are commonly used in sports like football and basketball.

With these lines, you are betting on which team will be the first to score X amount of points.

For instance - let's say that your sportsbook has a line that allows you to bet on which team will be the first to score 10 points in the first quarter of a NBA basketball game. The line might look like this:

First to 10 Points

Indiana Pacers, -110
Washington Wizards, -110

So, if you think that the Pacers will be the first team to score 10 points in the game, a successful $110 wager on them would return a total profit of $100.

What happens during the rest of the game is irrelevant to this line.

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Let's say that the Kansas City Chiefs are playing the New England Patriots.

The "First to 20 Points" line might look like this:

First to 20 Points

Kansas City Chiefs, -130
New England Patriots, +175
Neither, +1250

Let's say that you think that the game is going to be really low-scoring for some reason.

You decide to put down $10 on the "Neither" line hitting at +1250.

This means that if neither team scores 20 points over the course of the game, you would hit your longshot wager.