Betting

How to Bet on Football Online | Comprehensive NFL Betting Guide

By
Doug Ziefel
Updated Sep. 3, 2023, 7:37 p.m. ET
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With the NFL season underway, many fans and newer bettors might be wondering how to bet on football online. While it may seem complicated if you’ve never placed a bet before, betting on football is pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

Read on to learn everything you’ll need to know about betting on football online.

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The Basics: Moneylines, Spreads & Totals

The most common types of NFL bets are moneylines, point spreads, and totals. While there are plenty of ways to wager on pro and college football, these are the main focus for many bettors. 

Moneyline Betting

Moneyline betting is pretty straightforward. In all cases, a moneyline bet is placed on whichever team the user thinks will win the game. In football specifically, moneyline bets are graded based on the full game result, including overtime. If the game ends in a tie, which can and will happen, sportsbooks will simply void the bet and refund your stake. 

Spread Betting

Spread betting in football consists of wagering on the overall margin of victory in a game. The point spread essentially predicts how many points a team is expected to win by. A team with a minus sign before the number (such as -6.5) is the favorite, so you subtract that number from their final score. The other team with a plus sign before the number (+6.5) is the underdog, meaning you can add that number to the team’s final score.

If the Kansas City Chiefs are -7.5 favorites against the Minnesota Vikings and win by 8 or more points, they cover the spread. On the other hand, if Minnesota loses the game by 7 points or less or wins outright, they would cover the spread.  

Totals (Over/Under) Betting

When it comes to point totals, also referred to as the over/under, users are betting on how many total points will be scored in a game. For example, if the Philadelphia Eagles are taking on the San Francisco 49ers and the total is listed at 47.5 with a final score of 31-20, the over would hit because the final score hit 51 combined points. 

There’s also the possibility that you get a push on the point total. For example, if the point total is 38 and the final score is 28-10, the bet would result in a push and bettors of either side would receive a full refund.

Live/In-Play Betting

Live betting allows users to place bets on a game after it has already begun. However, the point spread and total will fluctuate dramatically as the game continues, so it’s important to be quick when looking to place any live wagers.

Live betting also creates unique opportunities that would not have been available prior to kickoff. For example, if a big favorite is down by a touchdown, you can get much better odds on them to come back and win.

Parlays, Teasers & Round Robins

There are plenty of other exciting ways to bet on football, such as parlays, teasers, and round robins. 

Parlay Betting

A parlay allows users to combine numerous bets into one single wager with longer odds. However, you need each individual outcome (also referred to as legs) to win in order for the parlay to cash. The odds are much higher for these kinds of bets but they are also much more difficult to win compared to a straight bet. For example, if you parlay four different legs with -110 odds, you’d have final odds of around +1200. 

Teaser Betting

Like a parlay, winning a teaser involves hitting multiple bets in one. However, teasers are generally considered a safer bet than a standard parlay. With an introductory 6-point teaser, you can add 6 points to two teams’ point spreads or totals.

For example, if the Los Angeles Rams are +1 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are +5, you can tease them both for Rams +7 and Buccaneers +11 with much lower odds than a standard parlay.

Round Robin Betting

Round robin bets also hail from the parlay family, but with a twist. A round robin consists of numerous parlay bet combinations, meaning users can add several wagers and still win money even if every selection does not win. If you place a two-leg round robin with three teams, you’re betting on every potential outcome of those matchups: Team A + Team B to win, Team A + Team C to win, and Team B + Team C to win.

Player Prop Betting

While point spreads and totals are a big focus, player props are also popular in football betting. A player prop is simply a bet on a player’s performance in a game. For example, you can bet the over or under on a starting quarterback’s total passing yards in a game, among many other options. Those options include rushing yards, receiving yards, and even the number of field goals made by a kicker.

Same Game Parlays

Same Game Parlays are still fairly new to football betting but continue to explode in popularity. While a standard parlay allows you to combine bets from different events, a Same Game Parlay focuses on just one game. Bettors can combine a point spread, total, and/or several player props from a single game into one bet with longer odds. 

Futures Betting

When it comes to futures betting, you’re essentially predicting what will happen later on in a season. Super Bowl futures are the go-to for many football bettors, with varying odds offered on each team in the running. But there are also futures available for everything from division winners and regular season win totals to individual awards such as MVP or Coach of the Year. 

Football Betting Tips & Strategies

While betting on football can be fun, remember that you’re putting your hard-earned money on the line. It’s responsible (and potentially profitable) to have a set strategy in mind before you start placing any wagers: 

Line Shop for the Best Number

The best football betting strategy is to always find the best odds before placing a wager. While one sports betting app might offer +110 moneyline odds on a team, another could offer the same bet at +125. Considering a $100 bet would get you a $125 payout with the second book compared to $110 with the first, finding the best odds would enhance your profits and provide more value.

Monitor Injuries

Injuries can make a big difference on the odds board. While a backup wide receiver missing a game likely won’t affect the odds, missing a starting QB or star defensive player can shift the number on a game. Always keep an eye on injury reports throughout the week. 

Follow Line Movement

The numbers for football games are generally posted around a week before kickoff. However, don’t expect the opening numbers to stay the same throughout the week. Injuries, weather, and large amounts of money being bet on one side can shift those numbers. If there’s an underdog you like at +9 but would prefer to get +10, check in on the number regularly to see if the sportsbooks change the number before the game starts. 

Look for Spots 

Football bettors like to look for interesting angles that will give them an edge. There are plenty of spots to look for, such as a letdown spot (a team coming off a big win that’s now vulnerable to a lower-tier opponent) or a look-ahead spot (the team is more focused on next week’s opponent). 

FAQs on How to Bet on Football

In this section, I answer some commonly asked questions on NFL betting:

Which states have access to legal NFL betting?

The following states have some form of legal retail and/or online sports betting: AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and Washington D.C.

What is the best sportsbook for betting on NFL games?

Many consider DraftKings Sportsbook to be the top platform for NFL betting. This is due to the app’s speed, competitive odds, and variety of bets. Other sportsbooks such as bet365 Sportsbook and Fanatics Sportsbook are also top-tier platforms.

Which online sportsbook offers the most NFL player prop markets?

DraftKings Sportsbook seemingly offers the most variety when it comes to NFL player props. In addition to its standard lines, DraftKings has plenty of alternate numbers that bettors can take advantage of.

Do any sportsbooks offer NFL Draft markets?

Yes! All of the top online sportsbooks allow users to place futures bets on the NFL Draft. Some of the most popular types of NFL Draft bets include which player will be taken first overall and where certain players will be drafted. 

Do any sportsbooks offer a player to NOT score a touchdown prop? 

Most sportsbooks unfortunately only allow users to bet on a player to score a touchdown. ESPN BET, however, is one of the few sports betting sites that does offer it.