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Beginner's Guide to Betting on NFL Football
Introduction
Betting on NFL games is an incredibly popular pastime for football fans. However, wagering on professional football offers some unique challenges compared to other sports. This guide will provide the basics on how to bet on NFL games, including explanations of common bet types, tips and strategies, and key terminologies to know. With this introduction, you'll feel confident placing your first NFL bets.
NFL Betting Lines and Odds
NFL games have several common betting lines, including:
Point Spreads: Betting on one team to cover a set margin of victory or defeat. If the Cowboys are -6.5 point favorites, they must win by over 6.5 points to cover.
Moneylines: Betting on a team to win straight up, regardless of score differential. Favored teams have negative odds (-150), while underdogs have positive odds (+130).
Game Totals (Over/Under): Wagering whether the total points scored will exceed a set threshold.
There are also first-half lines limited to just the first two quarters. Converting the odds into implied probabilities is key for assessing if there is value.
Understanding NFL Betting Odds
Before diving into the various wagers, knowing how NFL betting odds and lines work is crucial.
The odds listed represent the potential payouts for each bet and reflect the implied probability of that outcome happening.
For example, odds of -110 for a team equate to a 52.4% implied probability of that team covering the spread (calculated 110/(100+110).
Higher plus-money odds like +150 indicate an underdog with a lower probability of around 40% (100/(150+100).
Converting odds to implied probabilities allows bettors to better assess the true likelihood of certain outcomes when evaluating NFL bets.
NFL Betting Markets
The most popular NFL betting markets include:
Spread: Betting against the point spread with an underdog getting points.
Moneyline: Betting on a team to win the contest as a favorite or underdog.
Game totals: Wagering on the overall points scored going over or under a line.
Team totals: Betting on a specific team's total points scored.
NFL Prop Bets
NFL prop bets come in all shapes and sizes. The most common are;
Player props like passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns for specific players
Team props like total sacks or turnovers
Game props like total touchdowns or lead changes
NFL Betting Tips and Strategies
Some key NFL betting strategies involve:
Fading or following public betting percentages
Targeting primetime home underdogs
Watching the weather and field conditions
Tracking motivation factors like rivalries and playoff standings
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are common mistakes to avoid when betting on NFL Football Games.
Poor bankroll management skills: never wager more than 1-5 percent of your dedicated NFL bankroll on any one wager
Refusing to Line Shop: To get the best price, a sports bettor should have as many accounts as possible.
Betting while Intoxicated: This should be a no-brainer, but if you aren't fit to drive a motor vehicle, you aren't fit to make a wager.
Chasing Bad Losses: Don't try to make up for a bad Sunday by doubling down on Sunday Night Football.
NFL Betting Glossary
Some key NFL wagering terms include:
Cover: When a team wins by more than the spread.
Push: When a bet ties with no winner or loser.
Backdoor cover: When an NFL team covers the spread in the game's waning moments.
Teaser: Adjusting the spread to make a bet more favorable at lower odds.
Parlay: Combining multiple bets for a higher potential payout.
Hedge: Placing a secondary bet to lower overall risk.
Unit: The amount a bettor typically wagers. 1 unit = 1% of bankroll.
Juice: The commission or vigorish charged by sportsbooks.
Action: Having money wagered on a game.
Sharp: Professional or seasoned bettors.
Square: Casual recreational bettors.
Line movement: Changing odds due to shifting betting percentages.
- Circled game: When limits are placed on specific matchups/lines.
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