How to Make a Great Football Bet

Want to bet on the NFL but don't know how? These simple tips will guide you to making better bets. Just the basics are covered here such as Spreads, Money Lines and Teasers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Go to Las Vegas. Sorry but gambling is illegal just about everywhere else in the U.S.
2. Understand the Spread! Each game has a Betting Line. One team will be the Favorite and another will be the Underdogs. The Favorite will be giving up a certain amount of points such as Team A – 7 ½ points. The Underdog will be receiving those points such as Team B + 7 ½ points. If you were to bet on Team A then they must win by at least 8 points. This is called covering the spread. If you bet on Team B then they must win or not loose by more than 7 points.
3. Understand the Money Line! Each team will be either Plus or Minus. The team that is the Favorite will be Minus a certain number such as -110. This simply means that to win 100$ you have to bet 110$. The advantage to the Money Line is that no Spread is involved (hence, Team A must simply win and not cover). If you pick the Underdog to win with the Money Line they will be Plus a certain number such as +150. This means if you bet 100$ and win, you will get $150.
4. Pay Attention to Details! Look at the Injury Reports for each team. Don’t ever take a team with injured star impact players such as Quarterback or Running Back. Check who the Home Team is (it is usually in bold or capitalized).
5. Know the Action! The Spread changes constantly during the week to compensate for how the majority of the gambling is betting (aka the Action). If too many people are taking Team A who is favored by 3 points (+3) then the Handicappers will make Team A to be favored by more points. If you are patient you can wait until an Underdog team gains more points. But always keep in mind if the majority of the Action goes towards the Favorites and the Spread doesn’t change than the Handicappers want you to take the Favorite because they think they will not cover. Generally, if the Spread goes up by a point or two, stick with betting on the Favorite because Handicappers are attempting to scare you away from that bet.
6. Go Safe! Don’t spread your money around betting on every game. The rule of thumb is, if you really believe Team A will win, bet big on them and no one else.
7. Tease it Up! One of the best types of bets is a Teaser Bet. These come in varieties from 2 Team 6 Point Bets to 4 Team 10 Point Bets. In a Teaser Bet the Spread is adjusted in your favor. A 3 Team 7 Point Teaser consists of picking three teams to win (with or without the Spread) and you receive an additional 7 Points on each Spread. So if Team A was Favored by 10 (Team A -10) the new Spread would be Team A Favored by 3 (Team A -3). The Spread for each of the three teams is adjusted in your favor. The only problem is you have to win every game.

Tips & Warnings

• Gambling is illegal in most states in the U.S.
• Gambling is addictive and dangerous.
• Be careful when gambling.
• Always gamble responsibly.