We examine the e⁄ects of the 3-point-for-a-win (3pfaw) rule in the football (soccer) world. Data on mean goals and proportions of decided matches from seven leagues around the world form the basis of our analyses. Bayesian change-point analysis shows that the rule had no e⁄ects on the mean goals in any of the leagues but, indeed, had increasing e⁄ects on the proportions of decided matches in most of the leagues studied. This, in turn, implies that while the rule has given teams the incentive to aim at winning matches, such aim was achieved not by scoring excess goals. Instead, it was achieved by scoring enough goals in order to win and, at the same, defending enough in order not to lose.