Football betting can be a fun and exciting way to bet on a game you love. However, it’s important to know what you’re doing before placing a bet.
There are many different types of football bets, from point spreads to moneyline bets. Learn the difference between each one and how they work so you can make informed decisions.
Spread bets
Spread bets are one of the most popular football bets available at sportsbooks. They allow you to bet on a team that is heavily favored without the risk of losing more than your original bet.
A point spread is a handicap placed on a team by oddsmakers in order to even out the playing field between two teams. The spreads are usually set before the game, but can shift as the game progresses.
The number of points a team will be favored to win varies depending on the sport. Often, home-field advantage comes into play, as the team that plays at home is likely to be favored by more than a team that does not have the same home-field advantage.
Generally, the favorite will have a minus sign (-) attached to their point spread. The underdog will have a plus sign (+) next to their odds.
Moneyline bets
Moneyline bets are a great way to make a little extra cash on your favorite NFL teams. However, you need to know how to read a moneyline correctly to be able to win big.
The odds on moneyline bets are based on expected performance. Negative moneyline odds represent favorites, while positive odds indicate underdogs.
When you see a team listed as a favorite, it means that they’re considered to have a better chance of winning the game than their opponents. An underdog, on the other hand, is the team that’s considered to have a lower chance of winning.
For example, in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills are a -150 favorite and the Los Angeles Rams are +150 underdogs. This means that a $100 bet on the Bills would pay out $250 in profit if they win.
Over/Under bets
Over/under bets are an excellent option for those who want to place a wager on the total score of a football game. These bets are set by sportsbooks based on a variety of factors, including the offenses of the teams, the weather and other variables.
The most common over/under bet is to wager on whether the total points scored in a game will go over or under a certain number. These bets don’t require a bettor to guess the exact score at the end of the game, so if they’re right, the bet is a winner.
Over/under bets are a great way to make money on football games, but they’re not without their risks. Bettors should shop around for the best line before placing a bet, as a number of situations could cancel an over/under bet.
Future bets
Future bets are a great way to make money on a football game. These bets take longer to determine a winning outcome, so they offer higher odds than a traditional single-game bet.
Some of the most popular futures in the NFL are Super Bowl futures, championship futures and odds on conference champions. Those who bet on these early in the season can often reap huge payouts.
College Football is another popular sports betting market with its array of individual awards. These include the Heisman Trophy, MVP and Naismith Award.
In addition to team, player and conference futures, there are also NCAA Tournament odds and over/under win totals. These bets are usually released about 2 months before the start of each season.