Wagering on college and pro football has evolved into a thrilling experience, offering a wide range of betting options beyond traditional outcomes. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore essential tips for first-time football bettors, covering important aspects such as timing, football betting terminology, understanding odds, and various types of bets. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to confidently place your first football bet.
Timing: Plan Your Visit to Sportsbooks
Choosing the Right Time to Visit
When embarking on your football betting journey, it’s crucial to pick the right time to visit sportsbooks. Avoid peak hours to ensure personalized assistance from ticket writers and sportsbook employees.
Familiarize Yourself with Sports Betting Apps
Many sportsbooks offer dedicated apps for convenient betting. Before visiting a sportsbook, take the time to familiarize yourself with their app. This will give you a head-start on understanding the available betting options and enhance your overall betting experience.
Football Betting Terminology You Need to Know
Juice (or Vig)
The juice, or vigorish, is a crucial term to understand in football betting. It refers to the charge applied by sportsbooks for making a bet. Most sportsbooks set the juice at -110 for individual football bets, meaning you need to lay $110 to win $100.
Push
In football betting, a push occurs when your wager ends in a tie. For example, if you bet on a 7-point favourite and the game ends with a seven-point margin, you will receive a refund of your initial wager.
Future Wager
Future wagers allow you to bet on long-term events such as team championships or individual awards. You can place bets on teams winning their division, conference, or league championship. Additionally, you can wager on individual players to win MVP awards or lead the league in specific categories.
Exploring Different Types of Bets
Parlay
A parlay bet consolidates multiple individual wagers into a single bet, amplifying the potential payout. For your parlay bet to be successful, all legs of the bet must win. The more teams or outcomes you include in your parlay, the higher the potential payout. However, if any of your selections fail to win, your entire parlay bet loses.
Teaser
Commonly used in football betting, a teaser gives you the advantage of shifting the point spread in your favour. Each leg of the teaser must win for your bet to be successful.
The Hook
In football betting, winning or losing a bet by half a point is referred to as “the hook.” For example, if you bet on an underdog at +3.5 and they lose the game by three points, you win the bet “by the hook.” Conversely, if you bet on a favourite at -7.5 and they win by seven points, you lose “by the hook.”
How to Read Football Betting Odds
Point Spread
The point spread is a popular betting option in football. When looking at the odds board, the favourite team is displayed with a minus sign (-) in front of the spread, indicating the number of points they need to win to cover the spread. The underdog, on the other hand, receives the same number of points.
Total
When betting on the total, also referred to as the over/under, you actively wager on the combined number of points that both teams will score in a game. You have the option to bet on whether the total points scored will exceed or fall below a specific number set by the sportsbook.
Moneyline
The money line is a straightforward betting option where you pick the winner of the game, without considering the point spread. The favourite team is displayed with a minus sign (-) in front of the odds, indicating the amount you need to bet to win $100. The underdog is displayed with a plus sign (+), indicating the amount you would win on a $100 bet.
Conclusion
With this football betting guide, you now have the foundational knowledge to begin your betting journey with confidence. Remember to plan your visits, understand the terminology, explore different bet types, grasp odds reading, and consider parlay bets for increased excitement and potential winnings. Enjoy the thrill of football betting, always bet responsibly, and continuously expand your knowledge as you dive deeper into this exhilarating world.