NFL betting is one of the most popular forms of sports wagering in North America. Why? It checks all the boxes for a bettor’s paradise.
The season runs from September through February, giving fans months of regular-season action, playoff football, and the Super Bowl. Each team plays just 17 regular-season games over an 18-week schedule; NFL players rarely have the luxury of sitting out games, and playoff races can shift dramatically from week to week. That creates a product in which urgency, intensity, and maximum effort are on display throughout the season.
If you’re new to NFL betting, the good news is that the basics are straightforward. Most bettors start with three core wager types: moneyline bets, point spread bets, and over/under bets. Once you understand how each works, you’ll be able to read NFL odds confidently and make informed betting decisions throughout the season. This NFL betting guide will cover the essentials to get you started.
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How to Read NFL Betting Odds
The first thing to understand about NFL odds is that sportsbooks use minus and plus signs to indicate favorites and underdogs.
A minus sign (-) identifies the favorite. The number tells you how much you would need to wager in order to win $100 in profit. For example, if a team is listed at -150, a successful $150 wager would return $100 in profit plus the original stake.
A plus sign (+) identifies the underdog. The number tells you how much profit you would earn from a $100 wager. If a team is listed at +150, a successful $100 wager would return $150 in profit plus the original stake.
Moneyline odds focus only on which team wins the game outright. Therefore, you’ll only see the moneyline wagers with these minus or plus numbers attached. Spread and totals are a whole other beast, but unless otherwise indicated, they come with a standard pricing of -110 on both sides. This is commonly known as the juice or vig. It represents the sportsbook’s built-in commission. You didn’t think they were offering odds for free, did you?
Once you understand favorites, underdogs, and the concept of juice on risk amounts, reading NFL odds becomes much simpler.
Now you’re ready to understand the beef in this burger, how the spread, moneyline, and total function.
Moneyline vs. Spread vs. Over/Under
The moneyline, spread, and over/under (AKA total) are the main pillars of any NFL betting matchup. While futures and props are also available, the spread, moneyline, and total are where it all begins.
NFL Point Spread Betting
We’ll start with the NFL point spread, as it’s the wager players bet on the most. Why? It levels the playing field between two teams. Moneyline wagers can become boring and balloon to -1000 ($1,000 to win $100) when big favorites face big underdogs.
The spread balances the risks and rewards with a handicap. Instead of a straight-up win, the favorite must “cover the spread” or win by more than the listed points. The underdog can either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the listed spread.
For example, if the New England Patriots are listed as -7 favorites against the New York Jets, the Patriots must win by more than seven points. If they win by exactly seven points, the result is a push, and wagers are refunded. On the other side, the Jets are the +7 underdogs; they cover if they lose by six points or less – a seven-point loss is a push.
This is how oddsmakers level the playing field between two teams of contrasting talent. It’s no longer about whether the Patriots will win; it’s how much they’ll win by.
Most NFL spreads are priced around -110 on both sides. But this can change depending on the action these wagers receive. There are times when the money can move to -125 on one side and +105 on the other.
Spread betting appeals to many NFL fans because it makes every matchup interesting down to the final play.
NFL Moneyline Betting
As we’ve touched on throughout this guide, NFL moneyline betting is the simplest sports bet available.
You’re just picking which team will win straight up. The margin of victory does not matter. A one-point win counts the same as a 30-point win.
Because favorites are more likely to win, they generally offer smaller returns. Underdogs carry larger potential payouts because they are viewed as less likely to win.
Moneyline betting is often a good fit for beginners because the wager is easy to understand. If your chosen team wins, your bet wins.
NFL Over/Under Betting
NFL over/under betting focuses on the total number of points scored by both teams combined. Unlike moneyline and spread betting, you do not need to predict which team wins.
Bettors enjoy totals because they can focus on game flow rather than one squad. If you expect a shootout, the over may be appealing. If you expect a defensive battle, the under may be worth considering. Weather conditions, injuries, offensive efficiency, and pace of play can all influence totals.
Like point spread betting, NFL over/under markets commonly use standard -110 pricing. At times, there are half-points in spreads and totals; these are called hooks. Therefore, instead of a -7, a wager can be -7.5.
If you’re still deciding which type of wager suits you best, explore matchups and the NFL betting odds attached at Bovada.
NFL Betting Strategies for Beginners
Every successful bettor develops their own approach, but there are a few practical habits that can help newcomers make more informed decisions.
Compare Prices Before Betting
Sportsbooks don’t always offer the same odds.
Even a point or a half-point can create better value over the course of a season. Taking a few moments to compare available numbers can help you secure a stronger position before kickoff.
Understand Line Movement
Throughout the week leading up to kickoff, NFL wagers can shift whether it’s on the vig, the spread, or the total. These shifts not only reflect action on the bets themselves but also new information entering the market. Injuries, weather reports, and betting activity can all cause movement.
Monitoring line movement can provide useful clues about how the public views a game.
Use NFL Statistics
Statistics turn opinions into informed decisions.
Team offensive production, defensive performance, turnover margins, and situational trends can all provide useful context before placing a wager.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the numbers, our NFL stats guide breaks down some of the most important metrics used by football bettors.
Match the Market to Your Opinion
Different betting markets fit different types of analysis.
If you strongly believe one team will win, a moneyline wager may be the right choice. When you think a game will be closer or more lopsided than expected, the spread may offer value. Should your strongest opinion involve the pace of the matchup, scoring potential, or weather conditions, a total could be the better fit.
NFL Betting Terms: Juice, Cover, Hook, and Push Explained
Juice (Vig)
Juice, sometimes called vig, is the sportsbook’s commission built into the odds. This is why NFL spreads and totals are priced around -110 rather than even money.
Cover
A team covers the spread when it performs better than the spread requires. Favorites cover by winning by more than the spread, while underdogs cover by losing by fewer points or winning outright.
Hook
A hook is the half-point attached to a spread or total. Examples include -3.5, +6.5, or 47.5. The hook prevents the result from landing exactly on the betting number.
Push
A push occurs when the result lands exactly on the spread or total. When this happens, the wager is generally refunded, and neither side wins.
What is NFL Betting?
NFL betting involves placing wagers on games played throughout an NFL season.
The NFL features 32 teams competing in an 18-week regular season that includes 272 games. The action continues with a 13-game playoff tournament that culminates in the Super Bowl each February. Sportsbooks offer a wide variety of wagering options. These include moneyline bets, point spreads, over/under totals, player props, game props, and season-long futures.
Whether you’re betting on a single game or looking ahead to championship futures, the range of available odds gives football fans plenty of ways to engage with the sport. You can view the latest Bovada NFL odds throughout the season for current markets and pricing.
FAQ
How does NFL betting work?
You place money on teams to win straight up (the moneyline), win or lose by a certain number of points (the point spread), or whether the combined final score goes over or under the oddsmakers’ listed total (the over/under). You can view current options through the Bovada NFL odds page.
How do you read NFL betting odds?
The minus beside the odds identifies the favorite, while the plus odds identify the underdog. The number indicates how much you need to risk for a potential profit. See examples in the odds section above.
What is the difference between moneyline, spread, and the total in NFL betting?
A moneyline bet picks the game winner outright. The spread focuses on margin of victory. An over/under or total focuses on the combined score of both teams.
What do NFL betting terms like juice, cover, hook, and push mean?
Juice is the sportsbook commission built into the odds. To cover means beating the listed spread. A hook is the half-point added to a line. A push occurs when the result lands exactly on the betting number.
What are the best NFL betting strategies for beginners?
Start by comparing odds, monitoring line movement, and using statistics to support your opinions. It also helps to choose NFL bets that align with your perspective on the game. For deeper analysis, visit the NFL stats guide and the NFL sports betting stats guide.
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