As you can imagine, the nonstop action on NFL fixtures creates a gold mine of intriguing betting options. But before you even sign up with a sportsbook, you must learn how to bet on American football and get the best results.
You may already understand the game but to bet like a pro, you will need to carry out a bit of research to understand the league politics, player stats, team spirit, and other nuances. My comprehensive guide sheds light on how football betting works. Read on for more.
Before you can fully grasp how to bet on American football and win, you must understand the ABCs of this high-adrenaline sport. The most important tournament is the National Football League, which commences each year in August and concludes with the Super Bowl in early February the following year. With hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsorship deals and wide media coverage, the NFL is easy to follow.
Essentially, 2 teams clash on the gridiron with an objective to score the most points by taking the ball across the field and past the goal line. With 11 players on each team posted on different offense and defense positions, such as quarterback and running back, there are plenty of outcomes and propositions to bet on. And sportsbooks set a wide range of odds for you to pick.
I’ve highlighted some of the most prominent American football leagues worldwide for you below:
| Country | League(s) |
| USA | National Football League (NFL)
United Football League (UFL)
American Football Women's League (AFWL) |
| United Kingdom | British American Football League (BAFL)
British Gridiron Football League (BGFL) |
| Australia | Australian Gridiron League
Down Under Bowl |
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Understanding different bet types
So, how do you bet on American football? There are different types of bets for football with varying odds at different betting sites.
Moneyline
The moneyline bet, also known as the win bet, is the most basic option. All you have to do is pick the winner. The betting site sets the odds, based on the probability of the outcome. If there is a 50/50 chance, you will find that the odds for the two teams will show only a slight difference, something like -105 for team A and +105 for team B. You can find out more in my moneyline betting explained guide.
Spread
Instead of simply predicting that the Kansas City Chiefs will beat the Tennessee Titans, in point spread betting, the play is on the goal difference. You can bet on the Chiefs to beat the Titans by 7.5 points or more. On the flip side, you can bet that the Titans will win or keep the score margin under 7.5 points.
Props
What are prop bets? These predictions have no direct connection to the match results. In-game props, you can bet on things like the leading team at halftime. In player props, you can predict the number of passing yards Patrick Mahomes will make.
Futures
As the names suggests, this betting option requires punters to forecast the outcome of an event in the distant future. You may bet on the Green Bay Packers winning the Super Bowl.
Over/Under
In the over/under market, your task is to correctly forecast whether the total points of an NFL fixture will be over or under a specific value. This is a relatively simple wager.
Accumulators
If you’ve got a bit of knowledge on how to bet on American football, you can go for this pro-level bet. Parlays or accumulator bets involve multiple selections combined to make one giant wager. The downside is that all the legs have to win in order for you to cash out.
In-play betting
In-play or live wagering means that you get to make predictions as the game progresses. Live betting odds automatically adjust to match the scenario on the gridiron. This creates a sensational gaming experience.
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Betting on football and trying out different strategies comes with a host of benefits and drawbacks, and outlined below.
Pros & Cons
- Better enjoyment of matches
- Learn new things about the sport
- Potential to get a return on your bets
- Excellent way to socialize with friends
Understanding value
When betting on American football, a strategy is not worth it unless it offers value. Sportsbooks consider individual performance, team statistics, as well as player injuries when they set odds. You can find value if you realize that the bookmaker’s odds on a certain match are higher than the actual probability or true odds of a specific bet.
Value betting is when you spot some intricate details that most punters miss. For instance, when Travis Kelce is in great form, the public will certainly rally behind the Chiefs. But if you find out that the less popular but important running back is to miss the game, it means the probability for the Chiefs to win is lower than portrayed by the bookie. Therefore, betting on the underdogs would have value odds.
When betting on American football, a strategy is the key to a productive gaming session. Here are steps you can take to boost your confidence.
Find the best betting odds
Your journey begins with you choosing the right betting site and the best odds. Open up several sites and compare the prices for specific NFL and College football markets.
It is easy to keep track of popular players from popular teams, and this helps you make informed decisions on your bet. You must also draw your attention to the less talked about wide receivers from typical underdog teams. Such intricacies will give you an advantage if you’re looking to lay the favorite and go for higher odds.
Don’t overthink your selections. If you love Mahomes, it may be impossible for you to accept that the Chiefs will fail to pull off a 3-point lead versus the Texan Titans. Always make decisions based on stats.
The best betting on American football strategy is to pick a bet type that you can easily manipulate. For instance, if you have a knack for numbers, pick player props. Stay away from accumulators and point spreads if you are a novice.
Even if you learn how to bet on American football, you’ll need to manage your funds and only play within your budget. Overspending will just take the fun out of your betting experience. Also, take occasional breaks when you suffer a losing streak.
Let SportsGambler guide you
My articles can certainly help you build your own playbook. For example, my
betting guide
is full of great tips and the latest NFL news.
Since the sport is wildly popular, it is easy to get relevant updates, which you can then use to make informed decisions. As a beginner, you may want to start with simple win bets or moneyline. There are plenty of other thrilling markets for the NFL and collegiate leagues, including the complex Accumulator bet. With practice, you can master the ins and outs of how to bet on American football, identifying value odds on derided underdog teams.
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Accumulators pay out handsomely if you can correctly predict all the selections in your wager. The more legs in your wager, the more profit you get. Futures are also potentially interesting since they come with pretty long odds.
For American football, you can predict the number of touchdowns a player will make or the number of passing yards from a quarterback within the first half of a match.
🚀 How do I improve my NFL betting skills?
A betting on American football strategy starts with knowledge. Learn how the game works and follow as many teams and players as you can. This helps pick the right betting options and make informed decisions.
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