How to Bet on Football
How to Bet on Football

How to Bet on Football

Betting Basics

There are lots of exciting ways to bet on football using the WynnBET app. Standard football wagers include straight bets, parlays, teasers (6-, 6.5, and 7-point teasers are available), round robins, over/unders, first-half and halftime wagers. Also, many games feature prop wagers including who will score the first touchdown and individual player statistical props. Futures betting is also available for both college and pro football. Missed kickoff? No worries – in-game wagering is available on many games within the app.

Bet on the Spread

This the margin assigned by oddsmakers that is factored into the final score of a wager, either added to the score of the underdog team, or subtracted from the favored team's score.

Example:

Minnesota is a 4.5-point favorite over Miami. This means if you place a straight bet on Minnesota, they will need to win by five points or more for your wager to be a winner. If you chose Miami, they would need to lose by four points or fewer — or for Miami to outright win — for your wager to win.

Making a Moneyline Bet

A dollar-value wager placed on a sporting event where a point spread is usually not assessed. Values are represented by a plus or minus sign and based on betting units of 100. 

Example:

Minnesota is -210 to beat Miami, and Miami is +180 to win. In that scenario, you would have to risk $210 to profit $100, but Minnesota simply would need to win the game, with no additional point spread assessed. If you were to bet on Miami, you would risk $100 to profit $180, but Miami would also have to win the game outright and would not benefit from any point-spread boost.

Place a Wager on the Total

A wager based on the number of COMBINED points scored in a game. A bettor must choose "over" (whether more points will be scored) or "under" (fewer total points scored) than the assigned number for that game. 

Example:

Kansas City and Pittsburgh have a total of 50 points scored in a football game. If you select the over, the combined score must equal 51 or greater for winning wager. If you select the under, the final score, including overtime, must be 49 points or fewer. Over/under wagers are also generally made at 11/10 odds (risking $11 to profit $10).

Tips for betting on football

Follow the lines

NFL odds are constantly adjusting from the second the oddsmakers set them. A team could be a 4-point favorite when the odds go up on Monday and close at -7.5 points by kickoff on Sunday. Getting the best of the number as much as possible is the key to becoming a profitable bettor.

Remember NFL key numbers

Football has a very rigid scoring system with field goals worth three points and touchdowns (plus the extra point) worth seven. Because of this, a lot of NFL games are decided by either three, six, or seven points. Those are the key numbers to monitor when betting on football, especially at the NFL level.

Betting splits

Here at WynnBET, we share our betting splits for all football games ahead of kickoff. Make sure you are following us on social media to get that information! Having a good idea of what the public is betting on can be a useful part of your handicapping in football, especially for primetime games.

Betting trends

NFL betting trends are situational patterns repeating the same betting result, usually regarding against the spread (ATS) or the Over/Under (the total). For example, one team could be 10-0 against the spread in the last 10 games as a favorite or how the under is 16-0 since 2005 in meetings between Army and Navy.

Weather

Weather can have a major influence on the final results of a game. The falls brings plenty of cold, wind, and rain to outdoor venues. Rain and snow can play a big part in how teams perform, especially when it is disruptive enough to include passing and kicking. 

Common mistakes

Overreacting to injuries

Since injuries are common in football, it is important not to overreact to injuries when betting on this sport. Teams can still have success without key players, and it is important to remember that backups can be just as important. That said, injuries to key positions like the quarterback can have a huge impact on betting numbers. Take in all the information when betting on football.

Betting on your favorite team

Bettors can get blinded by their own bias or favoritism, especially when it comes to their favorite team. The oddsmakers are more impartial because they trust their numbers, so it is important to think twice when betting on your favorite team.

Mismanaging your bankroll

The fastest way to losing your bankroll is by mismanaging it. Don’t chase losses by betting more than you normally would to make up for one loss. Don’t get greedy when you go on a winning streak. Try to keep all straight bets within the same unit sizes, as there is no such thing as free money or an easy winner.

How does football compare to betting on other sports

Football is the most-popular sport in America, especially the NFL. That means a lot more time and energy is put into this sport compared to other sports. This does mean that lines are generally sharper for football than other sports. It is important to remember that when betting on football longterm.

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