Sports Betting Explained Nfl

NFL Betting Explained This is the Definitive Betting Brain Guide to NFL Football Betting and was written to give bettors a complete understanding to betting on NFL games. As well as being the biggest show in sport, the NFL is the biggest show in gambling. What is sports betting? Sports betting involves staking on the outcome of sporting events. Bettors attempt to predict the result of an event in order to win their bet - and potentially profit. What are sports betting odds? Put simply betting odds are representations of probability. Odds expressed in terms of money, with $100 being the standard. If the odds are minus (–), then that amount of money must be wagered to win $100. –150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.) If. NFL betting guide for conference championships: History says trust the hosts. I explained that hosts typically won three of the four games. Kansas city chiefs, nfl, Sports Picks, tampa.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling that PASPA is unconstitutional, numerous state legislatures are discussing -- or already have passed laws -- that will allow sports betting at brick-and-mortar casinos and racetracks, as well as online.

The conservative estimate here is that by the end of 2018 eight or nine states will have licensed sportsbooks allowing full-fledged sports betting (straight wagers, parlays, futures and more) at casinos, racetracks and possibly in retail locations, such as gas station convenience stores. By the end of 2019, that figure could grow, giving residents and neighbors in 12 to 14 states access to legal sportsbooks and legal online/mobile wagering as well.

With that in mind, let's look at sports betting basics. You've walked into a sportsbook, you're staring at a wall of orange and green letters and numbers and it looks like hieroglyphics. You may find a patient clerk at the sportsbook counter who can explain some basics, but it's always better to go in with an idea how it works. Start by doing some research online, learning a bit of sports betting terminology and about types of wagers available at sportsbooks.

Sports betting explained football

Here's a review of some basics. Joining us to cover some ground is Vic Salerno, a pioneering Nevada sportsbook executive and current President of US Bookmaking and US Fantasy Sports.

What are the point spread and the money line?

There are a few basic ways to bet on the result of a game. The most popular ways are to bet one team using the 'point spread' (or spread) or to bet the outcome on the 'money line' (ML).

'A point spread is a number of points by which one team is favored over the other,' Salerno explains. 'For example, let's say the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Cavaliers are a 3.5-point favorite. That means that Cleveland has to win by three and half or more points. If they only win by 3, then someone betting on the Cavaliers would lose their wager.'

So suppose the Cavs edge the Bucks 93-90. Someone betting on Milwaukee would win there because the Bucks 'covered' the spread -- by either winning outright or by losing by three or less. The person who bet on the Cavaliers (the 'favorite') would have lost here, while someone else backing the underdog Bucks (or the 'dog') would have won their wager, despite the Bucks losing the game.

Sports Betting Explained Nfl Odds

The point spread is the great equalizer. It's a game within a game.

The money line is straight up without the handicap.

'The money line is just who is going to win the game outright,' Salerno says. 'So in that same example, with Cleveland on the money line, just to win the game outright, you would have to lay, say, two dollars to win a dollar.'

That would be represented on the board (or on the mobile app) by -200, or 1-2 odds. Bet $200 to win $100, $100 to win $50 and so on. You have to bet more than $100 to win $100 because the outcome of the Cavs simply winning the game is a lot more likely.

And on the other side, the Bucks, who are at +3.5 on the spread (or 'getting' 3.5 points), would be somewhere around +160 on the money line (8-5 odds). So, you risk $100 to win $160, but only if the Bucks are victorious. If you bet the Bucks ML and they lose the game by any margin, you lose your wager.

What is handicapping?

Handicapping refers to a person's approach to predicting a game's outcome. Some people weigh certain factors differently than others. Do the Golden State Warriors play poorly on the second night of a back-to-back? Maybe you think that's just noise.

'[Handicapping is] just knowledge. I mean every game is different,' Salerno says. 'In general, you look at applicable weather conditions, and in any sport, it's injuries. You should be up to date on those. Past statistics come into handicapping, and in some sports, past performances against that team. So, for example, in basketball, they play each other more often than they do in football, so you would use past performances for your handicap.'

Handicapping can be as simple or as complicated as you like. People who wager on sports professionally (or try) will devise their own rating systems and use them to help identify what a line should be.

What about the total?

Ever notice someone only rooting for offense or defense, regardless of who has the ball? He/she may have bet 'over' or 'under' the game's total, the total amount of points scored for both teams. It's a wager totally independent of the game's outcome (spread or ML).

Salerno provides an example why somebody may prefer that to picking a side (a winner or loser).

'Let's say that in football, the Green Bay Packers are playing the New England Patriots in Green Bay and the total was 45,' he says. 'The line might be Green Bay, say by three, and people feel that both teams would score more combined points than the 45. So in that case, and regardless of who wins, they feel that there will be more than 45 points scored, so they would bet 'over' on that. And vice versa, if they felt less points would be scored, they would bet on that.'

These scenarios often come down to the final minute of the game. Let's say that the Packers lead 24-20 late in the game and are trying to kill the clock on offense. Aaron Rodgers hits Davante Adams for a 23-yard reception, Adams runs to the Patriots' 20-yard line and then the Patriots lock down and force the Packers to kick a field goal on fourth down. Those on the over hold their breath. It's good, the game ends 27-20 Packers and the total skates past 45.

Keep in mind that in addition to a game total, most sportsbooks will offer a separate total for the first quarter, second quarter, first half, third quarter, fourth quarter and for the second half. You may think the game will start very conservatively. In that case, you might wager 'under' in the first quarter or half.

Also keep in mind that there are other types of wagers called 'props' that look at a variety of player-specific or team-specific events. A popular prop during the NCAA tournament is the first team to score 10, 15 or 20 points. It's just an exciting race to open things up.

What are teasers and parlays?

Now we're getting into 'exotics,' or types of wagers beyond the traditional kinds. Teasers and parlays are the two most popular variations.

'A parlay is when you take two or more teams, and they both have to [cover the spread],' Salerno says. 'In football, you might take, say the Packers -3 and the Detroit Lions +4. To win your parlay, they would both have to cover those spreads.'

So what is the benefit of having to win both legs of the bet? You get a bigger payout.

You can bet more than two teams in a parlay, too; the more teams you pick, the higher the possible payout. For example, a seven-team spread parlay pays out at about 75-1. But remember -- to win your bet, you have to win all legs of the parlay. So if you nail six Sunday football games, but lose the Monday night game, you can kiss that ticket goodbye.

A teaser is similar to a parlay in that you must take two or more teams, and they both have to cover the spread. The difference here is you get to add points to, or tease, the spreads. In football, one teaser option is to add six points to a spread. So going back to the Packers-Lions example, instead of Green Bay being -3, you would get +3. The Lions would go from +4 to +10 in this teaser.

Putting it another way, a teaser gives you some cushion, but again you have to be right on every team (or 'leg') you play. Teasers may seem appealing, but things often don't go the way we expect, so don't be easily seduced by the extra points.

Speaking of points, here's a good spot to mention how the 'book' or the 'house' takes a cut. Consider that -110 you'll frequently see. That extra 10 refers to the 'juice' or the 'vig.' For the ability to place a wager, the bettor has to pay that juice or vig. After all, the sportsbook and its employees have to eat, too -- they are taking the risk with every wager placed. And that's basically why -110 exists. Bet $11 to win $10 (plus your $11 back), or bet $110 to win $100 (plus your $110 back).

What does it mean to wager in-game?

Once the game starts, it's no longer true that all bets are off.

You can bet 'in-game' when a bookmaker has a moment to look at what has happened, reassess and offer a new line(s) accordingly. This type of wagering is becoming increasingly popular.

There are many in-game wagering options. Suppose the total for an NBA game is 200 points before the tip, but both teams come out on fire, on pace to go way past 200 points.

'There's an algorithm that takes and sees how much time is left in the game, and then divides that into points scored, and that's how we arrive at a new total,' Salerno says. 'So a game that was originally 200, if they're scoring at a more rapid rate, it would go up to say 210, and you can bet at 210 whether you want to go over or under.'

How about that bankroll?

The most common pitfall for newcomers comes back to the bankroll, or the amount of money you've set aside for sports betting.

'This is my opinion: You should always keep your bets relatively the same with each and every bet, no more than 5 percent on any one game,' Salerno says. 'And you should never chase or increase your wagers when you're losing. Saying, 'OK, I can't lose three in a row' and betting four times as much on the next game [gets you into trouble]. And you can lose four in a row, or five or six. So, you can't chase it.'

The other pitfall is a bettor letting his heart get into a place where his mind is -- in other words, falling in love with his home team or his favorite team.

Finally, as in every industry, technology is changing the game. Pretty much every sportsbook, existing or to come, will have a mobile app or online platform. That means if you have access to different sportsbooks, you can do what's called 'line shopping,' or looking for the line that gives you the best odds on the side or total you like. Think of it like shopping for a new pair of shoes online; find the pair you like and then get the best price on them.

'Having accounts in different locations gives a player a huge advantage,' Salerno says. 'If you want to bet on Cleveland, one place might have it at -3 and the other places all have -3.5. That can make the difference between a winner and a loser.'

Brett Smiley is the editor-in-chief of SportsHandle.com, covering sports betting legislation, the industry and culture.

NFL betting is becoming increasingly popular outside of the United States. With even more regular season games planned on UK soil and talk of a London franchise, the popularity of NFL betting will only continue to rise over the next few years. Read on for a comprehensive guide to NFL betting.

Sports Betting Explained Nfl Expert

The NFL has consistently built on its International Series over the past few years and this season, the UK will host a minimum of three overseas games. Whilst games in UK only make up a fraction of the regular season fixtures, football fans can still watch the NFL all year round, so with more and more fans watching, this is the perfect time to learn about NFL betting.

NFL betting: Available markets

There are three basic bet types in NFL betting; Money Line, Handicap and Totals - the same as basketball betting.

Money Line

The Money Line (1X2 without the draw) is also commonly used amongst novice bettors because it is simple and straightforward - it is essentially betting on who will win the game.

Handicap

Nfl

Opposing NFL teams vary in strength so in order to counter the perceived bias in abilities, bookmakers offer a points handicap to level the playing field - this is often referred to as “the spread”.

Experienced bettors will most likely think about things like how the weather can impact the result or whether a team is playing at home or on the road.

The handicap market is popular with more advanced bettors as it balances each team’s chances and offers more value - it is used as the standard reference point for referring to relative chances in a game.

By using a hypothetical example, we can explain how betting on a handicap works. Both teams are offered associated odds on either a plus or minus points score, so for example the Indianapolis Colts might be offered at -6 1.909 against the New York Giants at +6 2.020.

A bet on Indianapolis would win if the Colts win by six or more points, and similarly a bet on the Giants would have paid if they win the game, or lose by less than six points.

If the result was 29-17 to the Colts, those bettors who bet on the Colts to win -6 1.909 would have a winning bet as the point difference is 12. Six more than the handicap offered.

Totals

Totals NFL betting focuses on how many combined points will be scored by both teams during the game. Bookmakers offer an option to bet on whether or not the total points will be either over or under the totals mark. This is why this form of betting is often referred to as the Over/Under.

In both the handicap and totals markets, when a team exceeds the required points for a successful bet it is called ‘covering the bet’.

Alternative NFL betting markets

In addition to the more common betting markets, NFL bettors can also bet on time specific markets within a game (first quarter, first and second half), adjusted handicap markets (alternative handicap) and individual team totals. These markets are merely variations of the basic bet types mentioned above and work in the same way.

Outright NFL betting is also an option for bettors. These bets will usually run over a longer period of time and often span across an entire season. Examples of outright markets in NFL betting include season win totals for individual teams, Division winners, winner of the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP (most valuable player).

Because the Super Bowl is such a big occasion in terms of NFL betting, there are often special markets posted for the event - these include scorer of the first touchdown and winner of the Super Bowl coin toss.

Developing an NFL betting strategy

Once you have mastered the basics of NFL betting, you may want to explore some more advanced strategies like a spread betting strategy. Bettors looking to bet on the NFL handicap must take into consideration a number of factors about the game, instead of just the chances of team X beating team Y.

By understanding what the key numbers are, you can avoid betting on a bad handicap and can even work out which team the bookmaker wants you to bet on.

The spread in NFL betting refers to how many points X is better than Y and an experienced bettor will most likely think about things like how the weather can impact the result - as this could effect the number of points scored - or whether a team is playing at home or on the road (away).

Professional NFL bettors spend time building power ranking systems to evaluate teams’ relative strengths and calculate who will have the advantage in any given game. This is then measured against the handicaps and odds offered by bookmakers – looking for discrepancies that represent value.

Collating reliable information is an integral part of any successful betting strategy. However, for those bettors new to NFL betting, there are some accessible handicapping systems that can produce accurate results in the short term.

Yardage differential

At the most basic level, the NFL is about the battle between offensive and defensive units. So one simple way to evaluate the strength of an NFL team is to look at the average offensive yards gained per play and the average defensive yards allowed per play.

As you would expect, teams that gain more yards than they allow tend to win. While this isn’t exclusively accurate, this measure can be used as a tool to predict future performances using a yards per play betting strategy.

Home-field advantage

NFL operates in a unique ‘closed’ league system, where relegation and promotion do not occur. From a statistical point of view, the data from successive seasons for such factors as home-field advantage (HFA) is robust.

To work out HFA for each franchise competing in the NFL you should subtract the total points scored by visiting teams from the home teams and divide by the total number of games played.

You will notice after working out the HFA for the past 20 years, each Franchise HFA is close to a 3-point mark, which has become standard for handicapping purposes - find out which NFL teams have the biggest home field advantage.

Sports Betting Explained Football

Key NFL betting numbers

In terms of the handicap in NFL betting, there are a few key numbers that bettors should be aware of. By understanding what the key numbers are, you can avoid betting on a bad handicap and can even work out which team the bookmaker wants you to bet on.

Nfl Spread Betting Explained

Similarly to the Run Line in baseball betting, most games in the NFL are decided by specific margins. The is the most common margin of victory in the NFL as most games are decided late on by a field goal (three points), while seven is the second most common winning margin, as this is how many points a team is awarded for a touchdown plus an extra point for a successful conversion.

Sports Betting Explained Nfl Scoring

It is estimated that around 30% of NFL games are decided by three or seven points. This means that -2.5, +3.5, -6.5 and +7.5 are perhaps the most important numbers when it comes to betting on the handicap in the NFL. Sharp bettors will often wait for the handicap figure to fall around this mark before placing the bet they want to make.

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