You are here: Home Gambling Tutorials NFL Betting Tutorials NFL Football Betting Tutorial – Betting on the NFL Over/Under
Betting on NFL Football is the most popular sport in terms of wagering, and has been for many years. While Las Vegas continues to see their numbers go up every year, most people bet on NFL games through sports betting websites. This is because they offer live betting options as well as bonuses that traditional sportsbooks do not offer. Thus, we will teach you how to bet on football like a professional with our NFL Football Betting Tutorial.
There are two main types of NFL wagers – that being against the pointspread and the over/under. Betting on NFL games against the pointspread means that the team chosen doesn’t necessarily need to win the game, but win or lose by a certain amount of points to stay within the given number.
For example, if the New England Patriots are a 3-point favorite against the Green Bay Packers, then New England would have to win the game by more than 3 points in order to cover the pointspread. Likewise, the sports betting odds for Green Bay would either need to win the game outright or lose by less than three points to cover the spread. If the Patriots won the game by exactly three points, then the game would be considered a “push” and all bets made on either side would be returned.
In Football betting, the Over/Under wagers consist of the combined points scored in a game. If the combined score is more than the posted total, then the “Over” is declared the winner. If the combined score is less than the posted total, then the “Under” is the winning bet. Just like pointspread wagers, if the score falls exactly on the number, then it is declared a “push.”
In both of these types of wagers, there is typically a 10% commission which is where the sportsbooks make their money. To make a $100 profit on an NFL bet, you would need to wager $110. If you win that bet, you get your initial $110 back plus the $100 profit. If you lose your bet, then you would be down the entire $110.
For example, a sportsbook Pay Per Head business sets the line trying to attract equal action on both sides. If they take $1,100 on each team, then they make $100 regardless of who wins. Because this line is set to attract equal action, it is not necessarily what the linesmaker believes will be the winning point margin.
There are other types of NFL bets, including moneyline wagers (picking a team to win the game outright), teasers (picking two or more teams to cover a more favorable pointspread), parlays (picking two or more teams to cover the spread and all games must win for a higher payout), and futures (picking a team to win the Super Bowl early in the season or even before the season starts).
Certain bettors have a preference for betting on the OVER, as they find enjoyment in witnessing a significant amount of scoring. Oddsmakers take such betting tendencies into account when determining the odds.
Frequently, there is an influx of bets on the OVER during the week leading up to a standard NFL game, resulting in an increase in the total. Consequently, oddsmakers are required to adjust the line to align with the betting behavior of the football public.
It is advisable to monitor the odds and any fluctuations in the line in the days preceding the game. If you favor the OVER, it is prudent to place your bet early in the week before the number escalates. Conversely, if you are inclined towards the UNDER, it may be beneficial to wait until closer to kickoff, when the total is likely to reach its peak.
Just as you would monitor the odds, it is essential to stay informed about your team's injury report. The NFL is notably thorough in its reporting, requiring teams to disclose the full details of each player's injuries and their availability for the upcoming game.
For those betting on the NFL, it is crucial to assess the health of your team's key players, such as the quarterback, running back, and wide receivers. The presence of a backup quarterback often suggests a tendency towards the UNDER.
This principle also applies to defensive units; if one team's defensive line is significantly compromised by injuries while the opposing team boasts a strong offensive line, there may be an opportunity to consider an OVER bet.
Weather conditions can influence OVER/UNDER outcomes. Inclement weather, such as heavy rain or snow, typically leads teams to favor running plays. For those wanting to become an NFL bookie, this is an important part of setting the correct lines. As the game becomes more challenging due to adverse conditions, the likelihood of the UNDER being successful increases. However, it is important to remember that sportsbooks factor these conditions into their lines, so it is advisable to verify the total line to ensure it aligns with your betting strategy.