Guide To Mastering NFL Betting

Ready to turn your NFL Sundays into a high-stakes rollercoaster ride? Read on!

Betting on NFL football games can be an exhilarating yet complex experience for both beginners and seasoned bettors. With multiple types of bets available, understanding which ones suit your strategy and risk tolerance is crucial. 

This comprehensive guide aims to walk you through the various types of NFL bets. By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-versed in how each type of bet works and how to best utilize them for your betting strategy. Let’s get started with an in-depth look at Moneyline Betting.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bettor, DGbet offers a user-friendly platform to apply these strategies seamlessly. Don’t forget to check that out as well. 

1. Moneyline Betting

Moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward forms of wagering in NFL football. The essence of this bet is simply picking the team you think will win the game outright, without worrying about the point spread. Let’s break down the key aspects and provide a detailed example to illustrate how moneyline betting works.

Detailed Example 

Consider a matchup between the Seahawks and the Broncos:

•  Seahawks -180 : If the Seahawks are favored at -180, and you believe they will win, you would place a bet of $180 to win $100.
•  Broncos +160 : Conversely, if you think the Broncos will pull off an upset and they are listed at +160, a $100 wager would earn you $160 if they win.

Additional Tips and Considerations 

• Line movement 

Moneyline odds aren’t static; they fluctuate as bettors place different amounts of money on each team. This variability means it’s crucial for bettors to monitor line movements. These shifts can offer valuable opportunities for better payouts if you can catch the odds at the right time.

• Key numbers 

Certain numbers, like 3 and 7, hold particular significance in NFL betting because they are common margins of victory. Sportsbooks often avoid moving the line onto these key numbers to slightly adjust the application’s odds in specific ways.

• Parlays 

Moneyline bets can be combined into parlays, where you wager on the outcomes of multiple games.

2. Point Spread Betting

In point spread betting, a predefined handicap is assigned to the favorite team, effectively leveling the playing field. Bookmakers quantify this handicap by a set number of points the favorite must win by for the bet to pay out. Conversely, bookmakers give the underdog a cushion of points, meaning the team can win outright or lose by less than the margin for a successful bet.

Examples and detailed scenarios

• Bengals vs. Steelers : Imagine the Bengals are favored by 4 points. For a successful bet, the Bengals have to win by at least 5 points. A win by exactly 4 points results in a push. A win by less than 4 points or a loss would mean a lost bet.
• Bengals vs. Patriots : Now, if the Bengals are underdogs by 4 points, they would bring a winning bet if they win or lose by less than 4 points. A push occurs if they lose by exactly 4 points, and a loss by more than 4 points means a lost bet.

Additional factors to consider

• Key numbers

Key numbers like 3 and 7 points are critical in point spread betting. These are the most frequent margins of victory in NFL games. 

• Vig or juice

The vig or juice is the commission sportsbooks charge for making the bet possible. It’s usually shown as a negative number like -110, meaning you’d need to bet $110 to win $100. This can vary across different sportsbooks and specific bets.

• Line movement

Line movements happen for various reasons such as injuries, changes in weather conditions, or shifts in public perception. Keeping an eye on these shifts can help you adapt your betting strategy.

• Quarter and half spreads

Sometimes, sportsbooks offer more granular betting options like quarter or half spreads. These allow you to bet on segments of the game, providing additional opportunities and excitement.

Tips for successful point spread betting

• Thoroughly research both teams. Look into their recent performance, injuries, and head-to-head records. Informed bets are generally more successful.
• Set a budget and stick to it. Avoid chasing your losses or betting more than you can afford to lose.
• Not all sportsbooks offer the same lines. Compare spreads and odds across different platforms to find the best value for your bet.
• Keep up with NFL news, trends, and injury reports. Being informed can give you an edge in making smarter bets.

DGbet also offers various betting options, including quarter and half spreads, to give you more flexibility and excitement in your betting experience.

3. Over/Under (Totals) Betting

In the realm of Totals betting, sportsbooks set a number known as the “predicted total,” which represents their estimation of the combined points that both teams will score during the game. As a bettor, your task is to determine whether the actual combined score will be over or under this set number. It’s a straightforward bet that only considers the final score of the game, including any points scored in overtime.

Detailed examples

To help clarify, let’s look at some tangible examples: 

•  Jaguars vs. Colts : Suppose the predicted total is set at 47.5 points. If the game ends with a score of Jaguars 24, Colts 23, the combined total would be 47 points. Therefore, if you had bet on the under, you would win. If the combined score had been 48 or higher, an over bet would have been successful.
•  Raiders vs. Chargers : Here, let’s say the predicted total is set at 51 points. If the final score is Raiders 28, Chargers 24, the combined total would be 52 points, making an over bet a win. If the combined total had been 50 or fewer points, an under bet would have been the correct choice.

Additional considerations

Making smart Totals bets involves more than just guessing. There are several factors that can significantly impact the total score of a game:

• Analyzing team performance – Knowing each team’s scoring averages, defensive strengths, and any notable trends can provide valuable insights. 
• Weather conditions – Inclement weather conditions like heavy rain, strong winds, or snow can limit the scoring potential since they typically hamper the ability to make long passes and field goals. 
• Injury reports – Injuries, especially to key players, can drastically affect a game’s total score. Keeping an eye on injury reports allows you to gauge the potential impact on the combined score.
• Avoid chasing trends – Trends can be misleading, especially if they are based on a small sample of games. Always consider the broader context, as a single game can be an outlier and not indicative of overall performance.
• Don’t overreact to single games – Don’t let the outcome of a single game overly influence your judgment for future bets. Every game can differ based on myriad factors.
  

4. Prop Bets

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, offer a fun and dynamic way to engage with NFL games beyond the traditional focus on final scores or outcomes. These bets are exciting because they target specific events or performances within the game, catering to varied interests. Let’s delve into the different categories and examples of prop bets to get a clearer picture.

 Types of Prop bets 

1. Player Props : These focus on individual player performances. You might bet on the number of passing yards by a quarterback or the rushing yards a running back will gain. Examples include:

•  First touchdown scorer : Betting on which player will score the game’s first touchdown.
•  Receiving/rushing yards : Predicting the total number of receiving or rushing yards a player will rack up.
•  Passing yards : Wagering on the total passing yards thrown by a quarterback.
•  Touchdowns : Betting on the number of touchdowns a specific player will score.

2. Team Props : These focus on team achievements, such as the number of points a team will score or the number of sacks they will make. Examples include:

•  Total points scored : Betting on the total points a team will score.
•  Total sacks : Predicting the number of sacks a team will record.
•  Team interceptions : Wagering on the total number of interceptions a team’s defense will achieve.

3. Game Props : These bets are based on specific in-game events or outcomes. They offer unique ways to stay engaged throughout the game. Examples include:

•  First quarter score : Betting on the score at the end of the first quarter.
•  Longest field goal : Wagering on the longest field goal made.
•  Total sacks : Betting on the total number of sacks made by both teams combined.

4. Special Props : During high-profile games like the Super Bowl, prop bets can even extend to off-field events. Examples include:

•  National anthem duration : Betting on how long the national anthem will last.
•  Coin toss outcome : Wagering on whether the coin toss will result in heads or tails.

•  First touchdown scorer : This keeps you glued to the game right from the start, awaiting which player will score first.
•  Drive outcomes : Betting on the result of a specific drive, such as if it will end in a touchdown, field goal, or punt.
•  Receiving/rushing yards : Placing a bet on the total yards a player will gain through receiving or rushing.
•  Passing yards : Wagering on the number of yards a quarterback will throw.
•  Total points scored by a team : Predicting the number of points a team will rack up by the game’s end.

Want to maximize your winnings? It’s time to look at Parlay Bets.

5. Parlay Bets

Parlay betting combines multiple individual wagers into one bet, offering higher payouts but also significantly increasing the risk. In a parlay bet, you’re betting on the outcomes of multiple games at once. All selections must be correct to win; otherwise, you lose the entire bet.

How to construct a parlay?

You select a series of outcomes you believe will happen. These can range from two events to as many as ten or more, depending on the sportsbook’s limits. You could, for instance, bet on the outcomes of the Patriots, Cowboys, and Packers all winning their games in a single weekend.

Detailed examples 

• Moneyline Picks 

Suppose you place a moneyline parlay involving the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins all winning their games. Because you’re combining these picks into one parlay, the potential payout would be higher than betting on each game individually. However, if the Giants lose their match, even if the Bears and Dolphins win, the entire parlay is lost.

• Regular-Season Parlays 

You can also construct parlays that span over multiple games or even weeks. For instance, you might pick the Kansas City Chiefs to win in Week 1, the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. If all these selections win, the payout could be substantial, given the risk involved in predicting outcomes over multiple weeks.

Using DGbet, you can easily construct and track your Parlay bets with a user-friendly interface and real-time updates.

6. Teaser Bets

Teasers are an intriguing way to adjust your NFL bets, offering the chance to tweak the point spread or over/under line in your favor. Unlike other betting types, teasers allow this flexibility, and it’s usually done in increments of 6, 6.5, 7, 10, or even 14 points. While this increases your chances of a winning bet, it reduces the payout.

Different types of teasers

–  6-point tease:  Moves the line by 6 points.

–  6.5-point tease:  Adds an extra half-point.

–  7-point tease:  Extra safety with more line adjustment.

–  10 and 14-point teases:  Often used in special sweetheart teasers with multiple picks.

Most sportsbooks handle ties in teaser bets straightforwardly, considering it a push (bet refunded) if there’s a tie. 

Examples

–  6-point teaser example:  Kansas City is favored by 7 points. With a 6-point teaser, it’s now Kansas City -1. If they win by 2 points, your bet wins.

–  7-point teaser example:  If the game’s over/under line is 47 points and you employ a 7-point teaser, it becomes 54 points for the over. If the total score is 55, you win.

Teasers share similarities with parlays since both involve multiple games, but the key difference is that teasers let you adjust the lines, making these bets arguably safer. Always review the common odds and consider options from different sportsbooks for potentially better rates. 

Looking ahead? Let’s talk about Futures Bets and how to get the most out of them.

7. Futures Bets

Futures betting is exactly what it sounds like: placing a bet today on an event that will be decided later. These bets are generally available throughout the year but often offer the best payouts during the preseason when there’s more uncertainty about team or player performance.

Popular categories for Futures bets

1.  Super Bowl Winner : The most popular futures bet by far. Betting on the Super Bowl winner is straightforward—you pick the team you believe will win, and if they do, you cash in. 

2.  MVP Futures Odds : They are a popular type of long-term bet in NFL wagering, where bettors predict which player will be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the end of the season.

3.  NFL Win Totals : This category involves wagering on how many games a team will win during the regular season. 

4.  AFC/NFC Championship Odds : Instead of betting on the Super Bowl, some bettors prefer to focus on the conference championships. 

Detailed example

Imagine you’re confident the Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl, and they are listed at +800 odds. 

Here’s how it works: – You place a $100 bet on the Packers. – Throughout the season, the Packers play their games, and you experience the highs and lows with them. – If the Packers win the Super Bowl, your $100 bet would net you $800 in profit. This potential for higher payouts due to the inherent uncertainty is what makes futures bets particularly appealing.

Strategies and considerations

Successfully betting on futures requires more than just intuition; it involves strategic considerations:

–  Hedging Futures bets : Hedging is a risk management strategy to lock in a profit. This ensures you win something regardless of the outcome.

–  Shopping for Odds : Not all sportsbooks offer the same odds. It’s crucial to shop around and compare different sportsbooks to find the best odds, maximizing your potential return.

–  Timing of Futures Bets : Timing can significantly impact the odds. Placing futures bets early in the season or during the preseason often results in more favorable odds due to the higher uncertainty surrounding team and player performances.

8. Live/In-Game Betting

Live betting, or in-game betting, has changed the way we can place wagers on NFL games by allowing bets during the game. This makes the experience more interactive and exciting, as bettors can react to what’s happening in real-time and make more informed decisions. 

Detailed example

Suppose you bet on Team A to win before the game starts. Early in the game, Team A is losing 0-7. Instead of panicking about your bet, watch the game closely. If you see Team A gaining momentum—executing plays well and improving their defense—you might decide to place another live bet on their comeback. This way, you increase your stake and potentially boost your winnings if Team A does turn things around.

Essential tips for live betting

• Stay informed

Keeping track of the game is crucial. Monitor the scores, injuries, and significant events like timeouts, as all of these can affect your betting choices.

• Manage your bankroll

Live betting can be exhilarating but also risky. Managing your bankroll effectively is essential to avoid over-betting and running out of funds.

• Understand the odds

In live betting, odds can change quickly based on game events. Understanding how and why the odds shift will help you make better decisions.

• Avoid chasing losses

It’s easy to get caught up trying to recover losses by placing more bets. This can lead to a cycle of losses. Stick to your initial strategy and limits to prevent substantial financial setbacks.

• Utilize cash out options

Many sportsbooks now offer cash-out options for live bets, allowing you to settle before the game ends. This can be useful to lock in profits or minimize losses based on real-time developments.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve delved into the various facets of betting on NFL football games, providing you with a robust framework to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of sports betting. NFL betting trends can be highly variable, with impressive highs and lows throughout the season.

To make the most out of your NFL betting experience, consider betting early before the lines get adjusted by professional bettors and oddsmakers. This can help you lock in better odds that might not be available later in the week.

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