The NFL, America’s most beloved sport, has captured the hearts of millions of fans and bettors alike. With the legalization of sports betting in various states across the US, NFL betting has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a newcomer looking to get in on the action, this comprehensive guide will walk you through all the wagering options and terminology to successfully place your first NFL sports bet.
Types of NFL Bets
Point Spread Betting: This is the most popular way to bet on football games. You choose a team against the spread (ATS), either as the favorite or the underdog. The point spread indicates how much the favored team is projected to beat the weaker team for the bet to win. For example, if the Buffalo Bills are -2.5 over the Los Angeles Rams, they must win by three or more points for the bet to be successful.
Moneyline Betting: Betting on the money line means wagering on a team to win the game outright without considering the point spread. The higher the point spread, the more you have to wager on the favorite, and the bigger the return on the underdog. For instance, if the Bills are a -135 favorite on the money line, you must risk $135 to win $100, while the Rams, at +115, would pay out $115 for a $100 bet.
Totals (Over/Under) Betting: This type of bet involves wagering on the total number of points scored by both teams. If the total is set at 52, the final score must be over 52 points to win the overbet and under 52 points to win the underbet.
Teaser Betting: Teasers allow bettors to move the point spread to their advantage by either moving it down for the favorite or up for the underdog. Bettors must choose at least two games, and both must win for the bet to cash.
Parlay Betting: Parlays are wagers that include two or more teams with larger payouts than straight bets. All teams in the parlay must win for the wager to be successful.
Live/In-game Betting: Live betting allows you to place bets on events during a game, such as the next play’s outcome or the next team to score. Odds shift throughout the game, providing exciting opportunities for bettors.
Futures Betting: Futures bets focus on outcomes that will be determined in the future, such as wagering on which team will win the Super Bowl. Early futures bets can offer great value as odds change throughout the season.
Prop Betting: Prop bets include player, game, and season props. Player props focus on individual player performances, game props are specific to a particular game’s outcomes, and season props involve betting on long-term outcomes.
Choosing Sportsbooks for NFL Betting
With numerous sportsbooks operating in the US, choosing the right one for your NFL betting needs is essential. Factors to consider include rewards programs, prop bet availability, reduced odds for high-profile events, and competitive vigs. For up-to-date spread, total, money line and futures odds, you can check out NFL football lines at The Game Day to help make informed bets on your favourite teams.
Understanding NFL Odds
Before diving into NFL betting, it’s crucial to understand NFL odds. Each bet is associated with a number with a plus (+) sign for the underdog or a minus (-) sign for the favorite. The number determines the final payout on winning bets. A plus sign indicates an underdog, while a minus symbol designates the favorite.
For example, if the Buffalo Bills have a point spread of -2.5 over the Los Angeles Rams, the Bills are the favorites, and the Rams are the underdogs. If you bet on the Rams, they must win by three or more points, while if you bet on the Bills, they must lose by two or fewer points or win outright.
Odds Tracker and Futures Betting
Stay updated on NFL game lines with an odds tracker, comparing odds from different sportsbooks to find the best value for your bets. Betting lines change rapidly, so you must act quickly when you find a favorable number.
Futures betting allows you to wager on outcomes that will be determined in the future, such as the Super Bowl champion or the NFL MVP. Early futures bets can provide better odds as they change throughout the season.
