<P> Three points for a win is a standard used in many sports leagues and group tournaments, especially in association football, in which three (rather than two) points are awarded to the team winning a match, with no points awarded to the losing team . If the game is drawn, each team receives one point . The system places additional value on wins compared to draws such that teams with a higher number of wins may rank higher in tables than teams with a lower number of wins but more draws . </P> <P> Many leagues and competitions originally awarded two points for a win and one point for a draw, before switching to the three points for a win system . The change is significant in league tables, where teams typically play 30--40 games per season . </P> <P> "Three points for a win" is supposed to encourage more attacking play than "two points for a win", as teams will not settle for a draw if the prospect of gaining two extra points (by playing for a late winning goal) outweighs the prospect of losing one point by conceding a late goal to lose the match . A second rationale is that it may prevent collusion amongst teams needing only a draw to advance in a tournament or avoid relegation . A commentator has stated that it has resulted in more "positive, attacking play". However, critics suggest teams with a one - goal lead late in a match become more negative to defend lead . The average number of goals per match in Turkey's top football division has risen significantly since the change to three points for a win . </P>

When did soccer change to 3 points for a win