Football is one of the most popular sports for betting, with millions of fans placing wagers on games every season. Whether you’re a fan of the NFL, college football, or international leagues, understanding the different types of football bets is essential to making informed decisions. This article will explain how to bet on football and cover the most common types of wagers.

Types of Football Bets

Football offers a variety of betting options, from straightforward moneyline bets to more complex wagers like parlays and prop bets.

1. Moneyline Bets

A moneyline bet is one of the simplest football bets. You are betting on which team will win the game outright. Each team is assigned odds, with the favorite having lower odds and the underdog offering a higher payout.

For example:

• Kansas City Chiefs (-150): You would need to bet $150 to win $100 if the Chiefs win.
• Denver Broncos (+130): A $100 bet on the Broncos would win you $130 if they win.

Moneyline bets are easy to understand because you only need to predict the winning team.

2. Point Spread Bets

In a point spread bet, the sportsbook sets a spread to even out the betting odds between two teams. The favorite must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread to cover the bet.

For example:

• New England Patriots -7.5 (-110): The Patriots must win by at least 8 points to cover the spread.
• Miami Dolphins +7.5 (-110): The Dolphins can lose by 7 points or win outright to cover.

Point spread bets are popular in football because they create balanced odds, even when one team is heavily favored.

3. Totals (Over/Under) Bets

A totals bet, also called an over/under bet, involves wagering on the total number of points scored by both teams combined. The sportsbook sets a total, and you bet on whether the actual score will be over or under that number.

For example, if the total is set at 48.5 points:

• Over 48.5: You’re betting that the teams will score a combined 49 points or more.
• Under 48.5: You’re betting that the teams will score 48 points or fewer.

Totals bets focus on the game’s overall score rather than predicting a winner.

4. Prop Bets

Prop bets, or proposition bets, focus on specific events or player performances during the game. These bets don’t rely on the final outcome of the game but instead look at individual aspects of play.

Common football prop bets include:

• First Team to Score: Betting on which team will score the first points of the game.
• Player Touchdowns: Wagering on how many touchdowns a particular player will score.
• Total Passing Yards: Betting on how many yards a quarterback will throw during the game.

Prop bets add variety to football betting, allowing you to focus on specific game moments or player performances.

5. Parlay Bets

A parlay bet combines multiple bets into a single wager. For the parlay to win, all individual bets must be correct. Parlays can include a mix of moneyline, point spread, totals, and prop bets.

For example, a parlay might include:

• The Dallas Cowboys to win (moneyline)
• The Green Bay Packers to cover -6.5 (point spread)
• The total to go over 44.5 points in the Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans game

While parlays offer higher payouts, they are riskier because all bets must win for the parlay to succeed.

6. Futures Bets

A futures bet is a long-term wager on an event that will happen later in the season. In football, popular futures bets include wagering on which team will win the Super Bowl, which player will win MVP, or which team will win their division.

Futures odds change throughout the season based on team and player performance, and they offer a way to engage with the entire football season.

Popular Football Leagues for Betting

Football betting is not limited to the NFL. Many leagues around the world offer betting opportunities, each with its own unique features and appeal.

• National Football League (NFL): The premier professional football league in the United States, with extensive betting markets available for every game and major events like the Super Bowl.
• NCAA Football: College football is another popular market for bettors, particularly during bowl season and the College Football Playoff.
• Canadian Football League (CFL): The CFL offers a different style of football and provides exciting betting opportunities for fans in North America.
• International Football Leagues: While less common, some sportsbooks offer betting on international American football leagues.

Live Football Betting

Live betting, or in-play betting, allows you to place wagers during the game as it happens. The odds adjust in real time based on the score and momentum, making live betting a dynamic and fast-paced way to engage with football.

In live football betting, you can bet on:

• Which team will score next?
• Will the next play result in a touchdown or field goal?
• Will the game go into overtime?

Live betting offers exciting options that allow you to react to the action as it unfolds.

Conclusion: Betting on Football

Betting on football offers a wide range of wagering options, from straightforward moneyline and point spread bets to totals, prop bets, and parlays. Whether you’re betting on the NFL, college football, or international leagues, understanding the different bet types will help you make informed decisions and enhance your football betting experience. With the addition of live betting and futures markets, football fans can engage with their favorite sport in a variety of exciting ways throughout the season.