How does sports betting work? NFL wagering basics explained

Millions of football fans across the US regularly bet on their favorite teams, but how does sports betting work in practice? There are so many facts, figures, decimals and fractions that it can sometimes get a bit confusing.

In this guide, we provide a quick introduction to sports betting on the NFL, explaining some of the most important terms and what you can expect when using a sportsbook for the first time.

Sports betting in brief

Sports betting is all about making predictions. For example, if you think the Commanders will win against the Jets, you’d place a bet on them.

When betting on NFL games, you normally do so in one of four ways:

·         Via the moneyline

·         On a handicap or point spread

·         On the points total

·         On a parlay

Let’s break each of these betting methods down:

Moneyline

When you make a moneyline bet, you decide who you think will win the game. This tends to be the preferred option for those just getting started betting.

The handicap and point spread

Point spread betting is about deciding how big the win margin will be. For example, you might bet on the Commanders vs. the Jets at 2.5, meaning they need to win by at least three points for your bet to be successful.

Handicap and point spread betting attempt to level out the playing field, offering balance to even out the odds.

Points totals

When you place a points total bet, you decide whether the total number of points scored by both teams during a game will be above or below a set number.

Parlay bets

Parlay bets are a little more complicated. They involve placing several bets at once, and each bet will need to be successful for the parlay bet to pay out. This type of bet is best reserved for seasoned fans!

There are other types of side bets and wagers that occur in NFL betting too. We recommend you review all the details with a betting expert — click here to access a reliable source and find out more about how sports betting works.

What about odds?

Odds can also seem a little tricky if you’re new to betting. These numbers tell you how likely a bookmaker believes an event will occur, and they usually appear as a plus or minus number.

Using our example from above, you might see the odds appear as:

New York Jets: -150

Washington Commanders: +120

This indicates that the Jets are more likely to win. If you were to place a $150 bet on them, you could receive $100 back, plus your bet.

This is just a simple overview of how betting and odds work. You can think of it as a stepping stone to help you get started.

Is betting difficult?

Sports betting doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does come with risks. While you might find fantasy football losses embarrassing, there are genuine financial risks to betting and gambling.

Take sports betting slowly and only bet what you can afford. Be sure to look at different sportsbooks that are legal in your state, and avoid chasing losses! Learn to take a break when you need to.