All You Need to Know About Betting on the NFL

It’s the biggest sport in the US, with millions following all the action throughout the season from September right up to the grand finale – the Super Bowl, which takes place in early February each year.

So ever since the US Supreme Court’s momentous decision in May 2018 to legalize sports betting, it has also been the country’s most popular form of betting. An estimated $100 billion a year passes from the bettors to the many sportsbooks operating in states where the activity is permitted.

But, for the novice, betting on the NFL can seem daunting and sometimes confusing. So here’s a quick guide to the sorts of wagers that can be made, as well as a few tips on developing strategies that may be able to tip the odds slightly more in your favor.

Types of Football Betting

There are many different kinds of bets to be made, but five main categories are best to master before you move on to the more complex options.

Moneyline bets and odds explained.

These are the most commonly made bets of all. They try to predict who will win in any game. In the American system, the odds are shown as either positive or negative, expressing the likelihood of each team winning.

For example, if the New England Patriots are playing the Buffalo Bills, and the Bills are the favorites, the odds might be -180 for them and +152 for the Patriots. This means a winning wager of $180 for the Bills would win $100, while a $100 bet on the Patriots would return 152 dollars should they win. This isn’t to say you have to bet the specified amounts. They’re just the relative odds.

Points Totals

The most popular form of bet is called totals. The objective is to bet on the total number of points expected to be scored by both teams in a game. Bettors pick a line with set odds, depending on their predicted total. They win if the final scores add up to more than the line.

Points spread

This is a form of handicapping in which a sportsbook gives each team an advantage or disadvantage, depending on their projected performance.

To use our Bills vs. Patriots example, the sportsbook might give the former –9.5 points in the spread while the Patriots are +9.5. This means that the Bills have to win by at least 10 points for it to be a winning bet. On the other hand, the Patriots can either lose by 9 points or less or win outright for that to be a winning bet. This can be a particularly effective bet in the postseason when less strong teams often overcome stronger ones, offering excellent value on many NFL playoff odds. 

Prop Bets

These are a relatively recent addition to football betting and are concerned with events in the game itself. An example would be the betting on the first team to turnover or get a touchdown in a game or the total number of rushing yards to be achieved.

Futures

Usually taken out earlier in the season, these bets cover future events, such as a team becoming divisional or conference champions or winning the Super Bowl outright.

A word about strategy

One of the significant aspects of sports betting is that there are distinct strategies that you can use to improve your chances.

Research

The first of these is to do as much research as you possibly can. For specific games, look out for the players who are in form and those who are injured. Previous encounters between the teams can also provide great intelligence about the outcome.

Listen to the experts

Experts do know what they’re talking about. Many have been involved in the game for years, if not decades, and there are countless first-rate podcasts where they share their knowledge and predictions. The chances are that you’ll pick up at least one solid gold nugget of information that could lead to a winning bet.

Follow home advantage

It’s true that teams tend to perform better in front of their fans. So, home advantage must always be considered, especially when making moneyline bets.

Seek out the best odds.

Last but not least, there are so many sportsbooks out there that are all competing to offer bettors the best value. So shop around for the best odds before you commit – it could mean an even bigger win if you’re successful.

So, there you have it – all you need to get betting with confidence on the NFL. Good luck, and here’s to a successful start.

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