Best NFL Betting Sites

Betting on the NFL

With general knowledge of sports betting and football, you should be well on your way to understanding NFL betting. There are several different types of wagers you can place on NFL games, and though most bettors don’t utilize each type, it is useful to have a basic knowledge of each type of wager. Majority of these types of bets can be utilized when wagering on other sports, but we will look at football specifically for this guide. 

NFL Betting Options

When it comes to betting on the NFL, there are three forms of straight bets which you need to know:

Moneyline

As one of the easiest methods of NFL betting, and an alternative to the point spread mentioned below, a Moneyline bet is simply deciding which team will win the game. The team you select does not have to win by a certain amount – they just have to win. Moneyline bets can be very rewarding with a great payout if you predict an upset and bet on the underdog of the matchup. 

For example, if the Moneyline wager has the Broncos at +170 and the Chargers at -150, the Chargers are favored to win and that you’ll need to wager $150 to win $100. The Broncos are the underdog in this case and a $100 wager will result in $170 in winnings.

Point Spread

A point spread is the most common type of wager in NFL betting and allows for a 50/50 chance of winning. Point spreads range from three to ten points and essentially gives the underdog team an advantage before the game even begins.

For example, if a game has a spread of 3.0 for the Cowboys and -3.0 for the Giants, the Giants are favorited for the matchup and the Cowboys are a 3.0 point underdog. Basically, the Cowboys are awarded 3.0 points before the game even starts. For those betting on the Giants, they will have to win by 3 or more points, and for Cowboys bettors to win, their team will have to win the game or lose by less than 3 points. 

Totals

(Also known as Over/Under) When betting the totals, the oddsmaker will produce a number based on how they think the game will play out. In NFL betting specifically, these projected numbers can range 30 to the high 50’s. To bet on the totals, you have to choose if you think the total number of points in the game will be over or under the oddsmaker’s selected number. 

For example, if an oddsmaker projected that the Ravens vs. Steelers game total would be 40.5, bettors who placed a wager on the over will need the total number of points to be 41 or more to win, and those who took the under would need 40 points or less. 

Types of NFL Bets Offered

If you are looking for a bigger payout or better entertainment value than straight bets can provide, try one of the following wagering options offered at most NFL betting sites: 

Parlays

One of the riskier and most popular types of NFL bets, Parlays combine a minimum of two wagers into one, and can contain multiple point spread or totals wagers. What makes this type of bet risky is the fact that the bettor must be correct on each wager or the entire stake will be lost. 

Teasers

Though similar to parlays in the fact that you must have all bets correct to profit, teasers allow you to modify the point spread or totals line to lower your risk level. Teasers start at usually six points and can go as high as 15 points depending on the sports betting site. 

Live Betting

Since most bettors have their smartphone or computer with them while watching a game, live betting has become more and more popular. Live NFL betting is basically play-by-play betting, where you can place bets on each drive and even attempt to predict the outcome of each play. 

Props

Prop bets are wagers that are not directly related to the outcome of the game. Widely considered to be a ‘fun’ bet, prop bets can be placed on just about anything related to the game. 

Examples of prop bets could include: 

• Which team will score a touchdown first?
• The total yards a player might rush
• How many field goals will be kicked?

Futures

Futures are bets on how a team might fare over the entire season. The most common type of NFL future bet is predicting who will win the Super Bowl and even the conference finals. This type of bet can also be placed on a player – how he will perform – over the course of the season. In terms of NFL betting, this might be betting on which player will win the league MVP award. 

Basic Strategies and Tips

• Use a safe and trustworthy sportsbook. See above for a few recommendations
• Take advantage of bonuses and rewards
• Ensure you read the terms and conditions as some have a few stipulations but these are very helpful to boost your bank roll
• Open an account at a few different sportsbooks. Having multiple accounts can greatly increase your profit and are optimal for finding the best odds and lines.