Whether you’re looking NFL betting advice or trying to figure out the best NFL games to bet on, the Betway Insider has got you covered with this comprehensive guide.
Learning how to bet on the NFL is straightforward, even if you haven’t got much experience in analysing the latest NFL betting markets. While it can seem daunting at first, reading NFL odds and understanding the different bet types doesn’t take long.
How does NFL betting work?
There are many different ways to bet on the NFL. The moneyline, spread, and total are the most common bets made by American football fans, but there are plenty of other options when looking at how to bet on NFL games.
Moneyline wagers are a simple bet on which team will win the game. The total is an over/under on the number of points scored in the game, which is a common bet type across various sports. NFL handicap – or spread betting – is a way of levelling the playing field by ‘giving’ points to one team and taking them from another.
These are the three markets you will see the most of when looking at how to bet on NFL action, but the options don’t stop there. You also have parlays, outright markets, in-play bets, and a wide range of prop bets to experiment with.
How to read NFL betting odds
It is important to know how to read NFL betting odds to be sure of your potential winnings when you place a bet. Fractional odds are used at Betway, which means the number on the left is how much you would win if you staked the number on the right.
For example, you might see the Buffalo Bills are 5/1 to win the Super Bowl. This would mean a $1 bet on Buffalo would return $5 in winnings if they lifted the Lombardi Trophy (plus your $1 stake). You can also calculate winnings for a larger stake – $10 would mean $50 in winnings and a total return of $60.
NFL betting advice
It’s vital that you have answered the question ‘How do I bet on NFL games?’ before you start placing wagers. There are no guarantees of success when it comes to sports betting, but you need to know what you’re betting on and how to read the odds.
Research is paramount, too. Look into the form of the respective teams, how they have fared in previous matchups, and whether there are any significant injuries. Weather is also a key factor for outdoor games – offence tends to struggle when it’s snowy, wet, or windy, while warmer weather tends to favour quarterbacks and receivers.
Be open-minded with your betting selections. Sometimes the best wagers are unusual markets like over/under on passing attempts rather than the moneyline or spread.
Common mistakes when betting on the NFL
Even for people who know how to bet on NFL game lines, there are some common mistakes made when wagering:
Focusing on big-name players rather than overall roster quality.
Ignoring weather conditions.
Always betting parlays.
Overreacting to betting trends.
Failing to conduct pre-bet research.
Popular NFL betting markets
Below are the most popular NFL betting markets you’ll find:
To win the Super Bowl: Exactly as it sounds, this is a bet on a team to win the Super Bowl and lift the Lombardi Trophy.
AFC winner: A bet on a team to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
NFC winner: A bet on which team will win the NFC Championship Game and reach the Super Bowl.
Division winner: Eight divisions means eight division winners each year. This market opens during the offseason and is constantly updated throughout the regular season.
Coach of the Year: You can bet on who will win Coach of the Year several weeks before the season starts.
To make the Playoffs: Seven teams make the playoffs from each league. You can bet on whether a team will make or miss the playoffs.
Regular season MVP: The MVP is one of the first markets to open during the NFL offseason. Odds can change significantly from week to week during the campaign.
Defensive Player of the Year: The best defender in the NFL is voted on at the end of each season. DPOY favourites often play for an elite defence.
Rookie of the Year: There are markets for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Types of NFL bets
Ready to make a bet on the NFL, here are the types of bets we’d suggest starting with:
Moneyline: A bet on which team will win the game, including overtime.
Points spread: A way of handicapping the favourite and giving points to the underdog.
Total points: A bet on the total number of points scored in an NFL game.
Outright: A wager on the outcome of a future event, like the next Super Bowl winner or regular-season MVP.
Half-time/Full-time: These bets require the correct prediction for which team will be winning at half-time, and which will be winning at full-time.
Props: Props are wide-ranging. They include team, game, and player props that do not directly impact the outcome of a game.
Bet builder: A combination of bets in a single game. All of the picks must land for the bet to pay out.
In play: Wagers placed once a game has kicked off.
How to bet on NFL points spreads
Understanding how to bet on NFL points spreads is much simpler than it might initially seem. Point spreads are a way of handicapping the favoured team. The favourite is given a negative number, with the underdog ‘given’ points.
For example, the Kansas City Chiefs might be -6.5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. A bet on the Chiefs would only win if the Chiefs won by seven or more points. The Raiders would be +6.5 on the other side of this spread – a wager on the Raiders would pay out if they won the game or lost by six or fewer points.
How to place a bet on an NFL game
If you’ve settled on where to bet on NFL games, you need to head to our account registration page. You will then need to enter all the required details and complete the necessary verification before you are granted full access to your betting account.
Once you have completed that process, you will need to select a banking method to deposit funds into your account. When you have deposited funds, it’s time to analyse the NFL betting markets and pick your wager(s). Then it’s a case of entering your stake and placing the bet.
Where to bet on NFL markets
Betway provides a catalogue of American football markets. You can choose from different NFL betting markets or delve into other American Football odds, covering college football, the CFL, and other leagues.
At Betway, NFL markets are available year-round thanks to their collection of outright betting options, covering the draft, Super Bowl, and much more.
Similar to NFL betting
Everything you’ve learned here can be applied to other American football markets at Betway. From odds on NFL preseason through to regular-season win totals, betting options stretch far beyond the moneyline, spread, and points total, with NFL markets available year-round.
American football fans can also get stuck into the latest CFL odds or college football betting. Starting in June with the Grey Cup being played in October or November, the CFL provides gridiron action during the NFL’s offseason, while college football starts in August and concludes in early January.
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