How To Bet On the NFL Cover

How To Bet On the NFL

by Oddspedia Experts
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Almost everyone claims to know how to bet on the NFL. But research shows that many people make the same betting mistakes over and over again. The aim of this betting guide is to provide information for new, and experienced bettors. It will help you to make better decisions. You will learn how to use Oddspedia to find all the latest team statistics and betting tools. And also how to find the sharpest NFL sportsbook for your chosen market.
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How NFL Betting Works

The NFL is the most popular league for sports betting in North America for many reasons. Since it is a team game, many NFL betting lines require you to pick the winning team. The oddsmakers will determine who they think will win, and the odds they offer will reflect their prediction. But there is a lot more you need to know if you want to find the best bets.

For example, point spread betting is much more popular than an outright bet or Moneyline. So you will need to understand how to read the odds for both these lines. This can seem confusing at first, so this betting guide will explain each bet type for you. You should also take the time to understand the other bets available. Once you can read a Moneyline bet and understand a point spread, you will have a good idea of how NFL betting works.

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To find the best bets for NFL games, you should understand the pros and cons of each bet. The most important thing is to know what the odds mean, and how to determine if it is a value bet and worth considering.

Moneyline

The first NFL bets you should consider are Moneyline bets. They are easy to understand and can be a great option for beginners and pros alike. The odds reflect who the betting sites think will win any NFL games and by how big a margin. Consider that you see the Dallas Cowboys are +140 on the Moneyline. The plus number indicates they are expected to lose this game. For that reason, every $100 you wager will return you $140 in profit if they win. Now imagine their opponents are the LA Rams who have odds of -140. This implies they are the favorite, and every $140 you stake will return you $100 profit if the Rams win.

Spread Betting

Point spread betting is more popular than Moneyline betting as there are more options worth considering. The sportsbook would like equal action on both teams in all NFL games. The point spread provides similar odds for either team. Let us say the New England Patriots have a -6.5 point spread. They are the favorites to win, but you will need them to win by 7 or more points. And you can also place a bet on their opponents. Imagine they are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers and they show as +6.5 on the spread. As long as the Steelers win outright, or lose by no more than 6 points, they will provide you with a winning bet.

Parlays

An NFL parlays bet is a way to get very generous odds. A parlay bet combines two or more bets together to make a multi-bet. You might cover the spread for the 49ers and combine it with a prop bet. The upside is that the odds of each bet multiply with each other. So if you can imagine a parlay with 6 outcomes listed. The potential winnings could be huge. But in order for your parlay to win, each selection you make must be a winner. Even if you win 5 out of the 6 selections, your parlay will fall short. An NFL parlay is a fun bet to make, but remember that it is a long shot.

Future Bets

Future bets are another type of bet that can offer good NFL odds and are popular to make for events like the Super Bowl. But the downside with this type of bet is you need to be patient. Imagine that you fancy the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl next year. If you make a futures bet before the NFL season starts, you might get some lucrative odds. But you will not have information that will come to light as the NFL season progresses. Maybe the Broncos have a bad run of form or player injuries. So the upside of making an early futures bet is the potential return, but your odds of being correct are lower.

Prop Bets

NFL betting sites know that not every bettor follows NFL stats or knows the latest team news. So they offer several fun bets known as proposition or prop bets. These types of bets cover specific events that might happen during an NFL game. Team prop bets might be choosing a team to score the first touchdown, or who will rush the most yards. Team props depend on how the entire team performs. But you can make a prop bet on individual player stats. Predicting the player who will score first will net you higher odds than predicting the team. And you have many player stats to choose from, such as who will tackle most or make the most interceptions.

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Where Can I Bet Legally on the NFL?

Most countries have one set of laws when it comes to sports betting. But while online betting is not illegal in the US, the rules vary from state to state. Currently, over 50% of states allow betting on the NFL, and this number is constantly growing. And you also need to check how you can bet. Some states require you to use a retail sportsbook while others allow betting online. And some states restrict who can operate there. You might use one sportsbook in Delaware for example, but that sportsbook might not operate in Indiana. The easiest solution is to use Oddspedia to find which NFL betting sites are legal in the state you are currently in. Oddspedia uses geolocation to determine where you are and will only display the legal sportsbooks nearby. As a bonus, you can also see the sportsbook with the best odds, and whether they allow parlays or only single bets.

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How To Start Betting?

Everything You Need To Know In 5 Easy Steps!

How To Start Betting?
Pick A Highly Rated Sportsbook

Find the right betting site for you and sign up

Fund Your Account

Make a deposit with the payment provider you prefer. Consider responsible gambling features and bankroll management.

Claim the Bonus

Many betting sites have a welcome bonus or free bet, which you can claim after making the first deposit. *never forget to read the small print!

Choose An Event To Bet On

Find an event you are interested in, select a betting market that appeals to you the most and "click" on the odds.

Start Betting

Go to the bet slip and input the details of your desired bet and confirm the wager.

How does Live betting for NFL Games Work?

The most exhilarating way to bet on NFL games is with live betting. Most sports betting involves making a prediction before a game starts. But with live betting, you make in-game wagers while the game is happening.

No matter how favored a team is to win, the beauty of sports betting is that upsets can and will happen.

Imagine you are watching a game and see that the Dallas Cowboys are struggling in defense. You could make a live bet on their opponents to win. Sportsbooks that offer live betting will adjust the odds for various events in real-time. The faster you make a decision, the better the odds you might receive. For this reason, the best way to live bet is to use Oddspedia and find a site that offers live streaming. Now you can watch the entire game and make a bet from the same website.

    How to Bet on NFL: Step-by-step guide

    Although it might seem like there is too much to learn about the sport, football betting is not as complicated as it appears. You only have to be aware of the most critical aspects. This betting guide walks you through what to do when betting on NFL games.

    • The first step is to find the best NFL sports betting sites in your state. Oddspedia has all the legal betting sites nearby, so you can choose which one is the best for you.
    • The betting site with the best odds might not be the best one to pick. Make sure to also check website reviews on Oddspedia and find out who offers the best NFL promotions. You should look for a website that offers features you like such as live betting. Oddspedia's betting comparison feature will help you find what you need.
    • Also, note that your favorite betting site might not be the sharpest NFL sportsbook for every market. Use Oddspedia's NFL Odds Comparison Tool to compare operators and find the best odds. The comparison tool also works for live betting.
    • Odds change quickly, especially live odds, so take note of all the top betting sites and the odds they offer.
    • Click on a sportsbook to redirect to their site. You will need to join the site if you wish to place a bet.
    • Provide your personal details and choose your preferred payment option.
    • Make a deposit and you are ready to place your bet.
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    NFL Betting Tips And Strategies

    There are many things you have to consider to be successful at NFL betting. You need to find the best sportsbooks and betting lines and find good value bets. Luckily we can use Oddspedia to do all this, as well as find expert tips and much more.

    Look Out For The Best Available Betting Lines

    One important thing to do when making a purchase is to shop around and compare prices. The same holds true when betting on NFL games. You should shop around to find which betting sites are offering the best NFL odds and markets. Oddspedia does this for you so you can get that information with a single click. The NFL Odds Comparison Tool checks all the sportsbooks in your area and compares the odds they offer. By finding the best NFL odds, you get the best bang for your buck.

    Take Advantage Of Sure Bets

    No matter how lucrative NFL odds might seem, there is always a chance your bet will not win. However, arbitrage betting is one way to get around this and find sure bets. This technique covers all the available markets with different betting sites. First, you will need to have betting accounts with multiple betting sites. Then you can use Oddspedia's sure bet calculator to find a sure bet opportunity. The tool locates discrepancies among several betting sites and calculates sure bets. These opportunities are rare so you should act fast when they arise.

    Follow NFL Tipsters And Their Expert Predictions

    No matter how well you think you know the NFL, there is always someone who has more information that you can use. Oddspedia has a team of expert tipsters that offer advice and tips for NFL games. These tips include anything from team statistics to home advantage or previous results. They use statistical analysis to back up their opinions, so you can decide which tips are worth following. You can also check the public consensus module to find out where people are placing their money. Following the money is usually a good strategy.

    Take The Small Wins And Profits

    It is important to note that even the sharpest bettors only win about 55% of the time. So it is inevitable that you will lose a lot of your wagers. For this reason, you should be happy any time you win. Even if you only win a small amount of profit, you also get your stake back. These small wins can then fund further bets. Sharp bettors see every win as a success regardless of the amount won. So make sure you take the small wins and profits you can.

    Most Common NFL Betting Mistakes

    While this betting guide will not make you a betting expert, it will help you avoid common mistakes. Many bettors make the same mistakes over and over. To help you minimize your losses, here are some of the most common mistakes you can easily avoid.

    Not Familiar With The NFL or Sports Betting

    The single most common mistake people make when betting on the NFL is to make assumptions. Every sport is different and the NFL has some important differences compared to other sports. For example, it differs from other football games as there is a defensive and offensive team. And the NFL uses a draft system so most teams are balanced when it comes to talent. You can never have too much information, so the more you research, the better your decisions will be. That is why you should always check the tipster's advice at Oddspedia before betting.

    Ignoring Team Form And Injuries

    Another common mistake bettors make is failing to update their decisions. You might look at a game and see that the Dallas Cowboys are clearly stronger than their opponents. But many factors can affect a team's performance. If the Cowboys suffer several injuries, their opponents might be worth considering. The same is true if you see that they hit a bad patch in their form. Momentum is key in the NFL, and when a team is on a good run, that is the time to back them. So never ignore team form and injuries.

    Mismanaging your bankroll

    Bad bankroll management is the most common mistake in all sports betting. The NFL season is long, and ideally, you want to place bets over the entire season. By placing too much money on one bet, you could easily lose your entire bank. Try to discipline yourself and budget how much you can bet per day, per week, and over the entire season. Make sure you bet responsibly and stay within the limits you set. Chasing lost money is a mistake you do not want to make. So plan your bankroll management before you start betting.

    Avoid betting on your favourite team

    The final mistake in this list is one that almost everyone is guilty of, betting on a favorite team. While any win is sweet, when your favorite team wins, it is even sweeter. But do not let your emotions determine your bets. If your favorite team is playing a stronger team, follow the numbers, not your heart. Good bettors use statistics and numbers to decide if a bet is worthwhile. Look for the best NFL odds, and if your team is likely to lose, bet against them or do not bet at all on this game.

    Online NFL Betting FAQs

    Is It Easy to Place A Bet On the NFL?


    It is an easy task to make a bet on the NFL. Begin with Oddspedia to find out the best sportsbooks in your area. The comparison tool will also show you who is offering the best NFL odds for any market. Once you see a bet you like, click on the sportsbook's icon to get redirected to their website. If you are not already a member of that site, you will need to register before placing your bet. Choose your stake and your bet is now live.

    🏆 What are the Most Successful Teams in the NFL?


    There are many ways that a team can be deemed successful. Some fans believe that winning the Super Bowl is what determines success. Others will swear by the team's value and net worth. Here are the most successful teams according to Forbes.

    • Dallas Cowboys: With an estimated value of $6.5 billion, the Cowboys lead the way. Their success makes them fan favorites, and it can be difficult to find tickets for their games
    • New England Patriots: With an estimated value of $5.5 billion, the Patriots are highly successful from a business point of view
    • New York Giants: The third most successful team is the Giants, with an estimated value of $5 billion

    💶 Which Is The Best NFL Betting Site?


    It is difficult to name one sportsbook as the Sharpest NFL Betting Site. NFL odds are changing all the time. While one site may offer the best point spread today, it might not be the best tomorrow. But certain sportsbooks appear at the top more often than not. DraftKings is usually at or near the top since they offer all the features you need in a top betting site. Caesars is another popular betting site that offers regular promotions and bonuses.

    💳 How Are NFL Betting Lines Calculated?


    Oddsmakers use all the current information to determine NFL betting lines. The way a betting site formats these NFL odds may differ, but the information should still be clear. You should see the Moneyline, point spread, and totals. For each category, a minus sign will show who the sportsbook deems as the favorite to win. Similarly, a minus sign will indicate that this team is the underdog. The numbers help you determine your potential winnings.

    🤔 Can I Cash Out NFL Bets?


    No matter how long a team is ahead in an NFL game, the result is rarely certain until the final whistle. Many betting sites offer you the chance to cash out certain bets, such as Moneyline or point spread bets. But you should only accept this option if you think you might lose the bet. Cashing out early means you will only get a percentage of what you would win if you wait until the final result.

    What Types of Sports Betting Promotions Will I Find for the NFL?


    There is a lot of competition among NFL betting sites to get your business. And that is good news for you if you are looking for a sportsbook to place your bets with. You can find welcome bonuses and promotions to boost your bankroll. You can also sometimes find free bets that allow you to make a wager risk-free. Other sportsbooks might offer you a cash bonus for using their website. And almost every betting site will offer you a deposit bonus. This is usually a percentage of your deposit amount, and can often be a 100% matching bonus. If you are very lucky, you might find a no-deposit bonus offer.

    🏆 Can I Bet On Live NFL Games?


    The features that each NFL betting site offers will differ depending on its website. But most of the best sites will offer you live betting. This is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy betting on the NFL. The live odds update in real-time as the game unfolds. You can even watch the game live if the website offers live streaming. That way you can watch the game and place a bet when you see a viable opportunity.

    💶 How Does DFS Work?


    Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is the fantasy version of the NFL. With this game, you become the manager of your own team. Each fantasy game is similar, but the rules will differ from site to site. The aim of the game is to pick a team that falls within certain budget restraints. You will have to pick players from several different real-life NFL teams. Your fantasy team will also have to follow a certain structure. Once you have a fantasy team selected, you compete against other teams to win prizes. Your players will gain points depending on their performance in their real-life games. DFS is a skillful game, but as with any betting, you will also need a healthy slice of luck to win.

    💳 Which Are The Best Sites For Fantasy Football?


    Each fantasy NFL game is different and incorporates different rules. While the aim of the game is similar, you should check out a few different DFS games to find which one suits you. You can even find some free leagues where you do not have to play for real money. This allows you to practice and perfect your strategy for free. But the real fun is when you play in a cash league. DraftKings is a very popular DFS site for NFL bettors. FanDuel is another website that offers fun DFS games. Both websites have detailed explanations for their individual games. PrizePicks also has several DFS games that are popular among the fantasy NFL community.
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    This article was written by our team of betting experts, any contributing references are noted below.
    Last updated 24/10/2023
    References
    1. M. (2022, June 29). How To Bet On The NFL - Matchbook Insights. How To Bet On The NFL - Matchbook Insights : Matchbook Insights. https://insights.matchbook.com/betting-strategy/how-to-bet-on-the-nfl/
    2. Ozanian, M. (2021, August 12). The NFL’s Most Valuable Teams 2021: Average Team Value Soars To $3.5 Billion As League Shrugs Off Pandemic Year. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2021/08/05/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams-2021-average-team-value-soars-to-35-billion-as-league-shrugs-off-pandemic-year/?sh=3760a2a9654e
    3. NFL Betting Guide - Learn How To Bet on American Football | Unibet UK. (2022). Unibet. https://www.unibet.co.uk/betting/guides/how-to-bet-on-nfl-1.1008337
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