When betting on football, be sure to understand the concept of a point spread. This is the difference between a team’s actual win/loss record and the number of points they are expected to score.
Point spreads are often adjusted to key numbers, such as three or seven. These key numbers are important because field goals are worth three points and touchdowns (plus the extra point) are worth seven.
Straight bets
A straight bet is a single wager that depends on only one outcome. These bets can include point spreads, totals, and moneylines. They are also popular with intermediate bettors. Sportsbooks are pushing parlays more than ever, but research shows that single bets are the best way to win money.
Football betting sites take the advantages and disadvantages of each team into account when determining the winning team’s odds on the game’s moneyline. Generally, the more experienced teams are considered favorites to win. The bookmakers may also offer higher moneyline odds on the underdogs if they have a history of performing well against superior opponents.
Totals straight bets are based on the amount of points scored by both teams. The number of points scored is usually listed as a positive or negative, with the minus sign indicating which team is expected to lose. For example, if a game has a total of 6 goals and you select the over, it doesn’t matter if either team wins; you’ll win your bet.
Over/Under bets
When betting on football games, Over/Under bets are a popular way to make money. These bets are based on the total points scored in a game and can be made before and during the season. Getting the balance right between betting the overs and unders is key to long term profit.
Generally speaking, sportsbooks set over/under lines slightly high to attract action on both sides of the bet. This is especially true for totals in NFL games.
For example, if the over/under line is 49 points and there’s a lot of money being wagered on the over side, the sportsbook will shift the line to 49.5 or 50. This is because they want to be able to accommodate both sides of the bet without losing money. It’s important to consider team and player stats, as well as context when making a over/under bet. For example, if a team is in relegation trouble, they may defend more aggressively and result in lower-scoring matches.
Future bets
Future bets allow you to place a wager on an event that will have a result months or even years in the future. They’re available in every major sport and include championship bets (Super Bowl, World Series, NCAA Tournament) and individual player awards like Heisman Trophy.
Unlike normal wagers, which have two teams or competitors, futures odds often feature dozens of contenders. As a result, the house edge on these bets can be quite high. Fortunately, there are ways to cut that edge by line shopping.
Because futures bets wrap your money up for so long, you should have a dedicated betting budget and practice discipline. It’s also important to stay liquid enough to take advantage of shorter term events and inefficiencies in the market. This will keep you from extending your bankroll too much and putting yourself at risk of losing your profits.
Odds
Odds in football are an important part of betting on a game. A bettor’s odds are determined by the sports book, and can change throughout the season. The odds are usually listed in a range of -120 to +100. The higher the number, the more vig or juice you’ll have to pay to make your bet.
The point spread is the most common form of betting in football. It lists a team as either a favorite or underdog and indicates how many points they must win by in order for a wager on them to pay off. The favored team will have a minus sign in front of the number, and the underdog will have a plus sign.
Runline odds are similar to point spread odds, but they indicate the number of runs a team will score in a game. You can also place a teaser bet, which allows you to add a certain number of points to the original point spread for a reduced payout.