There are a number of betting options for football games. Among the most popular are point spreads and Moneyline wagers. The former involves a team being given a certain amount of points that it must win by to pay off, while the latter involves betting on a particular team to lose by less than a specific number.
Point spread
Point spreads are one of the most popular betting formats in NFL, college football and basketball. They are created by oddsmakers at sportsbooks and serve as a handicap between two teams. This format is not used in baseball and hockey, but it is widely accepted in football.
A team’s point spread is determined by a number that is either positive or negative, and it represents the expected margin of victory for the team. The number is then assigned a plus or minus sign and is displayed as both a -3 and +3.
A key number to keep in mind when betting on point spreads is three, seven, and ten points. This is because most final scores are within those ranges. In addition, the point spread takes into account things like injuries, travel and home field advantage.
Moneyline
A money line bet is a simple wager on which team will win. It has higher odds than standard point spreads and a lower risk/reward. The integers next to each team show how much you would make if you placed a $100 bet on them. A negative number means the favorite, while a positive one is the underdog. Some sports like soccer and formerly hockey offer 3-way money lines that include the possibility of a tie.
The odds of a moneyline are always predicated on how much you would profit with a bet of $100. A minus sign (-) in front of the odds indicates the favorite, while a plus sign (+) indicates the underdog. The number after the odds is known as the juice or vig, which you have to pay to place your bet.
Over/Under
Over/Under bets are a popular way to wager on football games. The odds for this type of bet are usually posted alongside the point spread and money line, and can change regularly before a game begins. Over/Under bets can be made on any statistics in a match, but the most common are goals and points scored.
Over/Under bets are generally one of the lowest-vig markets, meaning that the sportsbook keeps a smaller portion of the total’s action than they do with spread and money line bets. The vig is a necessary part of the business model, and bettors should keep this in mind when placing a bet on an Over/Under.
Parlay
Parlays are a popular form of football betting that offers a higher payout and increased profit potential. However, they do come with a certain level of risk. If just one of your parlay picks loses, the entire bet will lose.
Traditionally, NFL point spread parlays involve moneyline odds and require all of the individual bets to win in order for the parlay to pay out. However, with the growing popularity of mobile sports wagering apps, some bettor’s are now making NFL parlay bets involving Over/Under totals as well.
A three-team Over/Under parlay would require Kansas City and Tampa Bay to combine for more than 51.5 points while Cleveland and Washington must score less than 50 points. Some bettor’s even choose to make teaser parlays, which allow them to move the lines on each individual leg by a set number of points.
Prop bets
Football prop bets are a fun way to add excitement to your wagering experience. These bets are based on player performance, team statistics and other game-related factors. They typically have lower limits than regular betting markets, so they can be profitable for bettors who know how to analyze them.
For instance, if a team’s top receiver is injured during warm-ups, the sportsbook will adjust its game total quickly. However, the team’s passing yardage prop, which derives from those main betting markets, may take a while to reflect the change.
This discrepancy offers a great opportunity to profit by line shopping. While NFL spreads settle quickly, prop markets often fluctuate wildly between different sportsbooks. This is why it’s crucial to keep up with the latest news and developments.