Football season is in full swing, which means one thing for sports fans: betting on NFL games! Don’t stress if you’re a newbie to sports betting. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about NFL odds and bet types. We’ll explain each type of bet so you can start placing bets like a pro. Let’s get started!
Reading NFL Odds
The most basic way to look at NFL odds is to see which team is favoured by how many points. This is called the point spread. For example, let’s say that New England Patriots choose to play with the Miami Dolphins. 14 points may favor the Patriots. This means that they are expected to win by 14 points. If you bet on the Patriots, they need to win by more than 14 points for you to win your bet. If you bet on the Dolphins, they can lose by up to 13 points, and you will still win your bet.
If there is no favorite, then the point spread is 0. This is called a pick’em. For example, let’s say that the Patriots are playing the Dolphins and the point spread is 0. This means that both teams are equally matched and have no favorite. If you bet on either team, they just need to win the game for you to win your bet.
Moneyline Odds
Moneyline odds are the simplest form of NFL betting odds. The moneyline is simply the odds on which team will win the game. For example, if a team is -250 on the moneyline, that means they are favoured to win the game, and you would need to bet $250 to win $100. On the other hand, if a team is +200 on the moneyline, that means they are the underdog, and you would win $200 if you bet $100.
Moneyline odds can be found for every game on every NFL betting site.Moneyline wagers are wonderful to begin with if you are unfamiliar to sports betting. They are easy to comprehend.
Point Spread Bets
The most common type of bet, the point spread, is also known as a line or spread. It is a number chosen by sportsbooks that they feel will encourage an equal number of people to wager on the underdog as on the favourite. The favourite is given a (-) negative number, and the underdog is given a (+) positive number. The bettor wins if they pick the winning team against the spread.
For example, let’s say the New England Patriots are playing the Miami Dolphins, and the line is -14 Pats. For a bettor to win their wager on the Pats, New England must win by at least 15 points. If they only win by 14 or less, the bettor will lose their money. Conversely, if a bettor picks the Dolphins +14, Miami can lose up to 13 points, and the bettor will still win their wager.
Overs and Unders (Total)
These are straightforward bets. The bookmaker will set a number for the combined score of both teams, and bettors can either wager that the final score will be over that number or under it. For example, if two high-scoring teams play each other, the bookmaker may set the total at 60 points. If you bet the over, you predict the final score will be 61 or more points. If you bet the under, you indicate that the final score will be 59 or fewer points.
Prop Bets
Prop bets, short for propositions, are wagers that are not directly related to the game’s outcome. These types of bets can be on anything from which team will score first to how many yards a specific player will gain. While some people may view prop betting as unnecessary or unimportant, it can be quite fun and add excitement to watching the game.
The Bottom Line
NFL odds and bet types can be confusing. However, once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to make informed decisions when betting on football. You’ll quickly become an expert with some practice! Also, you must be sure to read the fine print when signing up for an online sportsbook. This will ensure that you understand all the terms and conditions associated with betting on football.
