Are you a fan of NFL games and interested in placing bets to add some excitement and potential winnings to your viewing experience? Understanding the various types of NFL gaming bets is essential to make informed decisions and increase your chances of success. In this article, we’ll explore different types of NFL gaming bets, including match winner, handicap, over/under, and more. So, let’s dive in and discover the world of NFL betting!
Introduction
NFL betting offers a wide range of wagering options for fans and enthusiasts. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these different types of bets to make informed decisions and enhance your overall betting experience. Let’s explore each type in detail.
Match Winner Bets
Match winner bets, also referred to as moneyline bets, are the most straightforward and popular type of bet in NFL gaming. In these bets, you simply select the team you believe will win the game, disregarding the point spread. Each team is assigned odds based on their perceived likelihood of winning. These odds can be found alongside the Vegas NFL odds, providing valuable insights into the teams’ chances of success.
For example, if the New England Patriots are playing against the Green Bay Packers, and the odds for the Patriots are -150, it means you need to bet $150 to win $100. On the other hand, if the odds for the Packers are +200, a $100 bet on the Packers would yield a $200 profit if they win the game.
Handicap Bets
Handicap bets, also known as point spread bets, are designed to level the playing field between two teams of varying strengths. The sportsbook assigns a point spread to each team, indicating the number of points by which the favored team is expected to win or the underdog team is expected to lose.
When placing a handicap bet, you have two options:
- Backing the favorite: If you choose the favorite, they must win by more than the point spread for your bet to be successful.
- Backing the underdog: If you choose the underdog, they must either win the game or lose by less than the point spread for your bet to win.
Handicap bets add an extra layer of excitement to NFL games, as they allow you to bet on the margin of victory rather than just the winner.
Over/Under Bets
Over/under bets, also known as totals bets, involve wagering on the combined total score of both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a predicted total, and you decide whether the actual score will be over or under that number.
For example, if the predicted total for a game is set at 45.5, and you believe the game will be high-scoring, you would bet on the over. If the final score is 28-24, the total score would be 52, and your over bet would be successful.
Over/under bets are not dependent on the outcome of the game or which team wins. They focus solely on the total number of points scored.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets, or prop bets, allow you to bet on specific events or occurrences within an NFL game. These bets can range from simple questions like “Will the coin toss result in heads or tails?” to more complex scenarios such as “Which player will score the first touchdown?”
Prop bets offer a wide range of options to keep you engaged throughout the game, as you can bet on individual player performances, team achievements, and even non-game events like the length of the national anthem.
Let’s explore two common types of prop bets:
1. Player Props
Player props focus on individual player performances during an NFL game. You can bet on various aspects of a player’s performance, including:
- Total passing yards
- Total rushing yards
- Total receiving yards
- Number of touchdowns scored
- Number of completions
- Number of interceptions, and more.
Player props provide an opportunity to focus on specific players and their impact on the game, allowing you to leverage your knowledge and insights.
2. Team Props
Team props involve betting on team-related outcomes rather than individual player performances. Some examples of team props include:
- Will the team score a touchdown in the first quarter?
- Will the team have more than a certain number of turnovers?
- Will the team reach a specific number of sacks?
- Will the team convert a fourth-down attempt?
Team props allow you to bet on the overall performance and achievements of a team during the game.
Super Bowl Props
Super Bowl props are a specific type of proposition bet that focuses on the annual championship game of the NFL, the Super Bowl. These bets cover a wide range of events and occurrences surrounding the game, including both on-field and off-field elements.
Super Bowl props have become increasingly popular, attracting casual bettors and those looking for more unique and entertaining betting options.
NFL Draft Props
NFL draft props involve betting on various aspects of the NFL Draft, where teams select new players to join their roster. These props can include predicting which player will be selected first overall, the total number of players drafted from a specific college, or even the position of a particular player in the draft order.
NFL Draft props provide an opportunity to engage with the NFL offseason and speculate on the future of the league’s teams.
Moneyline Bets
Moneyline bets, as mentioned earlier, are straightforward bets where you choose the team you believe will win the game outright. Unlike handicap bets, moneyline bets do not consider the point spread. You simply focus on the final outcome.
Moneyline bets are popular among both casual and experienced bettors, as they offer a simple and direct way to support your favorite team or make calculated predictions.
Parlay Bets
Parlay bets involve combining multiple individual bets into a single wager. To win a parlay bet, you must correctly predict the outcome of all the individual bets within the parlay. This type of bet offers higher potential payouts but also carries increased risk, as a single incorrect prediction can result in the entire parlay bet being lost.
Parlay bets are a popular choice for bettors looking to maximize their potential winnings by taking advantage of favorable odds across multiple games or events.
Futures Bets
Futures bets involve placing wagers on outcomes that will be determined at a later date, typically well in advance of the actual event. In NFL gaming, futures bets are often placed on long-term outcomes, such as predicting the winner of the Super Bowl or the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season.
Futures bets allow you to invest in your predictions and potentially reap significant rewards if your chosen outcome materializes.
In-Play or Live Betting
In-play or live betting allows you to place bets on NFL games while they are in progress. It adds an extra layer of excitement and engagement, as you can assess the flow of the game and make informed betting decisions based on the current situation.
In-play betting offers dynamic odds that change in real-time, reflecting the evolving circumstances of the game. It’s important to stay alert and make quick decisions when engaging in live betting.
Same-Game Parlays
Same-game parlays combine multiple bets within a single NFL game. You can create a customized parlay by selecting different outcomes, such as the match winner, player props, over/under, and more. Same-game parlays offer the convenience of placing multiple bets on a single game, increasing the potential for higher payouts.
Sportsbooks may provide specific promotions and bonuses for same-game parlays, making them an attractive option for bettors seeking variety and enhanced odds.
Conclusion
Exploring the different types of NFL gaming bets adds depth and excitement to your overall NFL experience. Whether you prefer traditional bets like match winners and point spreads or enjoy the thrill of prop bets and parlays, understanding the various options allows you to make more informed and strategic betting decisions.
Remember to bet responsibly and within your means, as sports betting should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment. Good luck with your NFL gaming bets, and may your predictions come true!
