People across the US – football fans or not – take notice when the football season begins.  It’s one of the most popular sport in the western world, and because of this it enjoys plenty of popularity when it comes to sports betting.  This is especially true when it comes to the NFL; though, NCAA football also draws quite a few bettors to the sportsbooks.

If you’re new to the wonderful world of football betting, it can be a little confusing.  There are so many things to take into consideration, including the teams, all the different bet types, where the game is played, past performances, etc.  So, here is a little guide to help simplify football betting.

Types of Bets

Point Spread

This is the most popular type of bet when it comes to football betting.  It’s sometimes referred to as ‘the spread’ or ‘the line’.  This bet is based on how many points will decide the game, includes the moneyline, and can even out the odds on potentially lopsided matchups.  It looks a little something like this:

Baltimore Ravens: -11 -110
Chicago Bears: +11 -110

In this example, the Ravens are the clear favorites, making the Bears the underdogs.

You must wager $110 to get back $100.  So, if you put down a wager on the Ravens winning, they must do so by more than 11 points in order for you to win.  If they do, your wager will be returned plus $100 for a total payout of $210.  However, if the Bears loose by less than 11 points, your wager is lost.  If the Ravens win by exactly 11 points, the bet is considered a ‘push’ and your wager is returned.

Moneyline

This is another popular type of football betting, and is one of the easiest to understand.  It looks a little something like this:

Baltimore Ravens: -600
Chicago Bears: +450

In this example, once again, the Ravens are the favorites and the Bears are the underdogs.

• If you bet on the favorite:
  You will have to wager $600 in order to get a return of $100.  So, if you bet on the Ravens to win and they do, by any point amount, your wager will be returned plus $100 for a total payout of $700.

• If you bet on the underdog:
  If you bet $100, you will get a return of $450.  So, if you bet on the Bears to win and they do, by any point amount, your wager will be returned plus $450 for a total payout of $550.

Props

These bets aren’t quite as popular among serious football bettors, though they can add a bit of fun to the game.  They’re side bets that you can put down on a whole range of subjects.  Some examples of Super Bowl XLIV props include:

Peyton Manning total rushing yards:
Over 1 1/2 rushing yards: +130
Under 1 1/2 rushing yards: -170

Team to get the first down:
Saints: -110
Colts: -120

Gatorade dumped on winning coach:
Blue: +1000
Clear/Water: +150
Lime Green: +600
Orange: +500
Red: +1000
Yellow: -130

National Anthem Length:
Over 1 minute and 41 seconds: -110
Under 1 minute and 41 seconds: -130

As you can see, there really is a prop bet for nearly every single aspect of the game.  Even though they’re not quite as serious, they can be worth checking out for some extra fun.

For more information on football betting, check out OnlineGambling.com.