If you’re new to football betting, the thrill of placing a wager on your favorite team can add excitement to game day. But with so many betting types and terms, starting out can be overwhelming. This guide covers the basics of football betting to help you navigate common bet types and offers strategies that can increase your chances of winning. From understanding point spreads to responsible bankroll management, this beginner’s guide will equip you with the knowledge to bet smartly and enjoy the game like never before.
1. Understanding Point Spreads
Point spreads are one of the most popular betting methods in football. When you bet on a point spread, you’re betting on a team to “cover the spread,” meaning they must win by a certain number of points or lose by less than that amount.
How It Works: Let’s say Team A is favored with a -3.5 spread against Team B. For you to win the bet on Team A, they need to win by more than 3.5 points. If you bet on Team B, they need to either win the game outright or lose by fewer than 3.5 points.
Tips for Beginners:
- Review recent performance against the spread for each team.
- Keep an eye on injury reports, as player absences can greatly impact the spread.
- Consider betting on underdogs at home, as they often perform better against the spread.
Stat Insight: In the NFL, favorites cover the spread about 48-52% of the time, making research and strategy essential for success.
2. Moneyline Bets for Simplicity
Moneyline bets are straightforward, making them ideal for beginners. Unlike point spreads, Moneyline bets don’t rely on margin of victory—you just need to pick the winning team.
How It Works: When betting on the Moneyline, you’ll see odds for each team, represented by a positive (+) or negative (-) number. A negative number represents the favorite (e.g., -150), while a positive number represents the underdog (e.g., +120). Betting $150 on a -150 favorite would return $100, while betting $100 on a +120 underdog would return $120.
Tips for Beginners:
- Favor Moneyline bets for close matchups where the outcome is less predictable.
- Betting on underdogs can yield higher returns but comes with higher risk.
- Check recent game history and head-to-head matchups before placing a bet.
Stat Insight: Betting on underdogs with a Moneyline bet can yield significant returns, especially in unpredictable or rivalry games.
3. Exploring Over/Under (Totals) Bets
Over/Under bets, also known as “totals,” focus on the combined final score of both teams. You place a bet on whether the game’s total score will be over or under the line set by the sportsbook.
How It Works: If a game’s Over/Under line is set at 45.5 points, you can bet on the game’s combined score being over or under that number. This type of bet is popular in games with high-scoring teams or games affected by adverse weather conditions that might lower scoring.
Tips for Beginners:
- Review each team’s average scoring per game and their defensive strength.
- Factor in weather conditions, as rain or wind can lower overall scores.
- Look at the historical totals between teams, as certain matchups consistently hit the over or under.
Stat Insight: Games with strong offensive teams often surpass the Over/Under line, making “over” bets a favorable choice in high-scoring matchups.
4. Parlays and Multi-Bets: Big Wins, Bigger Risks
Parlay bets involve combining multiple individual bets into one. For example, you could combine a Moneyline, point spread, and Over/Under bet into a single parlay. To win, each “leg” of the parlay must be correct, making these bets riskier but offering higher payouts.
How It Works: Suppose you bet on a three-leg parlay with the Patriots to win (Moneyline), a total score over 50 (Over/Under), and another team to cover the spread. If one of those bets fails, the entire parlay loses. However, winning all three legs yields a much larger payout than individual bets.
Tips for Beginners:
- Start with smaller parlays, like two or three legs, to improve your chances.
- Mix in “safer” bets, like heavily favored Moneyline picks, to reduce risk.
- Keep parlay bets low-stakes, as their complexity increases the chance of losing.
Stat Insight: A two-leg parlay can payout up to 2.6 times your bet, making it an appealing option for risk-takers aiming for a larger reward on game day.
5. Responsible Bankroll Management
No matter how strong your betting knowledge or strategy, responsible bankroll management is essential for long-term enjoyment and success. This means setting a betting budget and sticking to it, ensuring that you never bet more than you’re willing to lose.
How It Works: Establish a bankroll—a set amount of money dedicated to betting—and only bet a small percentage (e.g., 1-5%) per wager. This approach minimizes the financial impact of losses, giving you more opportunities to place well-thought-out bets over the season.
Tips for Beginners:
- Set a weekly or monthly budget specifically for betting.
- Avoid betting more to recover from losses—stick to your original plan.
- Consider tracking your bets to review what strategies work best for you.
Stat Insight: Bettors who use flat-betting strategies (betting the same amount each time) tend to maintain more consistent results over time compared to those who vary their bets drastically.
Conclusion
For beginners, learning the basics of football betting can open up a whole new way to enjoy game day. By understanding the most popular types of bets—point spreads, Moneyline, Over/Under, and parlays—and adopting responsible bankroll management, you can increase your chances of winning while keeping the experience enjoyable. Football betting is about making informed decisions, and this guide provides a strong foundation to get started. For those looking for additional support, Troy Wins offers expert advice and picks to help you take your betting game to the next level.
FAQs
What’s the easiest type of football bet to start with?
Moneyline bets are the simplest, as you only need to choose the winning team without worrying about point spreads.
Are there strategies for beginners in football betting?
Yes, beginner strategies include focusing on Moneyline bets, learning about point spreads, and practicing bankroll management to avoid overspending.
Can I bet on football if I don’t know much about the game?
Absolutely! Understanding basic bet types and following expert advice can help you start betting even if you’re new to football.
