The NFL is something more than a sport; it’s actually a certain cultural phenomenon in the United States and a favorite of sports bettors from around the globe. For both beginner gamblers and seasoned ones, NFL betting markets offer a variety of ways to engage with a game beyond a simple prediction of who will win.
From point spreads to player props, a deeper understanding of the various ways to place NFL bets can make wagers more informed and exciting for fans. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and profitable NFL betting markets you should know.
1. Point Spread Betting
One of the most popular ways to bet on the NFL is point spread betting, commonly known as “betting the spread.” For this market, sportsbooks will provide a “spread” or a margin of points in which the favored team is expected to win.
The team has to win with a margin that is above the given line. For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are favored by 7 over the Denver Broncos, they have to win over 7 points so that any spread bet on them can be successful. If they happen to win by exactly 7 points, then it is considered a “push,” and they will return the wager.
It could make any game in the NFL exciting, even when one team is highly favored over another team. This is because the point spread makes an otherwise unbalanced matchup competitive, and either side of such a game is appealing to a bettor.
2. Moneyline Betting
Moneyline betting is the simplest form of NFL betting where you are simply picking which team will win the game. The odds are based around the likelihood of each team winning, so the payout for backing a strong favorite will be much smaller than betting on an underdog.
Moneyline betting is pretty easy for a newbie punter because it is just straightforward. It does not have the intricacies of a point spread where one contemplates the margin of victory. In this type of bet, one just has to pick the outright winner. This market is pretty well-liked when there is no clear favourite or underdog because one can only decide which team they feel will come out on top.
3. Over/Under (Total) Betting
Another exciting way to bet on the games in the NFL is Over/Under, or Total Betting. In this betting market, a total number of points that both teams are expected to score is set by the sportsbooks. Then, bettors get to wager on whether the actual total score will be over or under that set number. For example if the total is set at 48.5 points and you bet the over, you’ll need both teams to score at least 49 points for a win.
It is wide-spread and probably one of the favorite bets in the NFL, as you don’t need to pick a winning side. You forecast the scoring dynamics of the game, which can be pretty fascinating when two high-powered offenses or intense defenses are playing against each other.
4. Parlays
A parlay is an exciting and challenging bet type wherein all the outcomes are integrated into one single win or loss outcome. You may be betting on three NFL games, picking the outcomes of one game after another. If all your picks turn out correct, quite significantly high will be the payout on account of compounding the odds involved therein. However, if even one part of your parlay fails, the entire bet is lost.
There is a greater reward with parlays, but they also come with greater risk, given the all-or-nothing nature of the bet. Many gamblers wager on parlays seeking thrills and a possibility of great gain, but normally parlays are for gamblers interested in higher risks.
5. Player Props
Proposition bets, or prop bets, are a type of bet that involves individual players and not necessarily the outcome of the game itself. These enable you to bet on key stats, such as how many passing yards the QB will have, how many rushing yards the running back will gain, or how many touchdowns the wide receiver will score.
Ironically, props for players are especially massive for significant games, like Monday Night Football or the Super Bowl, in which major star players take center stage. They offer a unique way of interacting with the game and can be terrific for those fans who follow player performance very closely.
6. Betting on Futures
In futures bets, one needs to predict what is going to happen really far in advance, such as who will win the Super Bowl, who will get the MVP, or who wins the division championships. These bets are placed usually way in advance of the end of the regular season and can give really substantial returns if picked correctly.
The futures are just what the doctor ordered for fans who love to speculate on a team’s long-term potential and follow through the course of a season. But this option is for patient bettors, as you could be waiting a few months to get paid.
Final Thoughts
The NFL betting markets are as diverse as the games themselves, from simple wagers that will suit conservative gamblers to high-risk, high-reward options favored by fans. Wagering on the different NFL betting markets can make the NFL season a whole load more fun, since it affords fans new means of enjoying the game while earning money off their knowledge of the league.
Whether you are a newbie in the world of betting or a seasoned bettor, the best NFL betting markets will be your instructor in bringing the best out of your betting experience.
