How to Bet On American Football (NFL)
American football is one of the world’s most popular sports; in 2025, close to 130 million viewers tuned in to watch the NFL Super Bowl. So, if you want to bet on American football, you’ve totally chosen one of the best sports.
If you are new to betting on NFL games or simply looking for a better approach to your bet predictions on American football, understanding the rules and markets is key.
In this guide, we will cover how to bet on American football, the most popular markets, some helpful tips and tricks, and how to find the best sportsbooks for NFL betting.
How Does American Football Betting Work?
If you want to understand American football betting, you first need to take a look at the game itself, because it helps to have a solid understanding of the American Football rules.
Every game consists of four 15-minute quarters, with a 15-minute break (half-time) between the second and third quarters. A typical playing field is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide, with ‘endzones’ at either end.
Two teams compete to score the most points, either by getting a touchdown or otherwise getting the ball into the endzone. One team is on offence, while the other defends, with the roles reversing should the team on offence turn the ball over, punt the ball, or have a turnover on downs.
The turnover on downs happens when the team on offence fails to get a first down after four attempts (getting a first down happens when the ball is moved 10 yards forward).
Although that’s the basic framework of every game, each match can involve various ‘plays’ (tactics) that favour different players’ strengths. This reason is partly why American Football betting odds can be so exciting and subject to change during games as new plays are put into effect.
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Given the sport’s popularity, it’s not difficult to find online sportsbooks that offer American Football betting options. The only real difference will be which games a site features. You can find reviews of reputable sites that provide the best football bets elsewhere on our site.
Main Competitions
- The NFL Preseason and Regular Season – All 32 teams in the NFL compete across 17 regular games and three preseason games starting this August. For bettors, these are a perfect opportunity to learn how to bet and test strategies before the playoffs.
- NFL Playoffs – At the end of the regular season, 14 teams qualify for the playoffs. Single-elimination games determine who will reach the Super Bowl.
- Thursday Night Football (TNF) – Held weekly during the regular season games between all the NFL teams, with occasional doubleheaders (two games in one day) and a Christmas Day Special. Odds here often shift quickly due to shorter preparation time for teams.
- The Super Bowl – The most significant event in the NFL schedule, the Super Bowl, takes place every February and regularly involves extensive coverage in the week prior. The two teams that make the playoffs fight to be crowned the Super Bowl Champion. Millions of fans not only watch but also place wagers on outcomes like the game winner, MVP, halftime show props, and even the coin toss.
- NCAA College Football — College football has a passionate following and is a popular market for U.S. bettors. Major events like the College Football Playoff and the National Championship offer action-packed events each year.
- Other Notable Events – Although not games, the NFL Draft and Scouting Combine events invite media attention and may be featured on various American Football betting sites. Every year, the Scouting Combine allows college football hopefuls the chance to show the NFL what they’re made of in a series of on-field tests, including a 40-yard dash and other agility drills. Every spring, each of the 32 NFL teams gets to participate in the NFL Draft and select college football players they think have what it takes to play professionally.
Most Popular Betting Markets
American football betting is packed with options. Beyond the basics, here are some of the most common and exciting markets you’ll find on top sportsbooks:
- Moneyline – The simplest bet: just pick which team will win the game. If you’re learning how to bet on American football, this is the place to start. Odds are displayed with plus (+) or minus ( – ) values to show favourites and underdogs.
- Handicap / Point Spread – A way for bookmakers to even the playing field. Favourites must win by more than the spread (e.g., – 3.5 points), while underdogs can lose by less and still “cover.” Learning how to bet on American football spread is key to long-term success.
- Totals (Over/Under) – Total bets mean you’re placing a wager that the game’s total score is over or under the bookmaker’s line. A bookmaker may set the line at 35. You can place a bet that the game’s total score is over or under that number.
- Winning Margin – When making a winning margin bet, you’re wagering on a range in which one team will beat the other. Instead of picking the winner, you bet on the range of victory (e.g., 1 – 6 points, 7 – 12 points). This market can offer excellent odds if you’ve researched team tendencies.
- Quarter & Half Betting – You can bet on outcomes within specific quarters or halves. Ideal for bettors who want shorter action instead of waiting for the full game. Here, the total score doesn’t matter; just the points scored. Bookmakers will post the quarter lines at the end of each quarter or half.
- Parlays – Combine multiple bets into one ticket for higher payouts. For example, betting on three NFL games at once. All selections must win for the bet to pay out, which makes parlays riskier but potentially lucrative.
- Props – Prop bets are not based on the game’s outcome. They’re wagers on events within the game, such as the first team to score a touchdown. These markets are especially popular during the Super Bowl.
- Futures – Long-term bets placed weeks or months before the outcome is known. Examples include predicting who will win the Super Bowl, who will be league MVP, or how many regular-season wins a team will secure.
- Live Betting – Place wagers while the game is in progress. Odds update in real time depending on game flow. This market is a favourite for fans who want to react to momentum shifts during play.
Why Bet on American Football?
Gridiron Football betting can be more beneficial than other sports. Here, we’ll go over the pros and cons of wagering on this sport.
- Pros:
- This sport has a variety of different wagers.
- It’s a growing sport, so you’ll have access to more advanced statistics using tools and data.
- Sportsbooks tend to favour the NFL over other sports. They’ll offer big bonuses to get you to sign up.
- Cons:
- Random events such as injuries frequently occur in this sport.
- American football isn’t widely available in other countries, so if you’re outside the US, you may have a hard time finding a sportsbook that offers NFL games.
American Football Bet Tips
If you want to learn how to bet on american football and win, the recipe isn’t only picking your favourite team and bet on it – it is much more complicated. To improve your success rate and avoid some common mistakes that usually trip up beginners, read our American football bet tips, and keep them in mind before you place your next wager.
- Bet on markets you know – Only bet on markets that you have researched. This approach will allow you to have a winning strategy. There are dozens of markets available, so if you are a newbie, make sure to stick with the basics until you get used to it.
- Choose teams you are familiar with – When you bet on american football games you must do your research and choose the teams you know best. This method will prevent you from making emotional or illogical bet predictions american football.
- Study how the team plays – Part of doing your research involves watching footage and analyzing your team’s strengths and weaknesses. You can then compare these against the opposing team.
- Watch out for the advantage of home teams – Home teams have an advantage due to not having to travel and having the fans on their side. Even historically the NFL teams win more at home. Look out for which team is the home team.
- Check for injured players or roster changes – You always want to stay updated on the current roster. If starters are injured, the odds heavily change. Always read reports close to the game day, so you have up-to-date information on quarterbacks and defensive players, and expect drastic odds changes if they are out.
American Football Facts and History
It’s likely not too surprising to hear that American Football evolved from rugby and soccer. November 6th, 1869, is largely credited as being the date of the first college football game, but American Football as we know it didn’t truly take off until the late 1880s.
The American Professional Football Association was formed in 1920 but changed its name in 1922 to the National Football League. In the late 1950s, the rival American Football League was formed from teams that weren’t included in the NFL.
However, in 1966, both organizations announced they’d merge, with an AFL-NFL World Championship game between the two leagues’ winners happening in 1967. This game tradition continued in the years afterwards and took on a more famous name: the Super Bowl.
Conclusion
American Football betting is a familiar mainstay on most online sportsbooks, with many sites also offering live coverage and detailed statistics. If you’ve never placed a wager on the sport before, hopefully, our guide has given you an insight into how to bet on football, plus what kind of bets and games are usually featured on gambling sites.
FAQs
How does American football betting work?
American football betting works by wagering on different outcomes on the NFL and other American football formats. You can choose between many markets, including moneyline, spread, totals, and handicap.
What does +200 mean in American football betting odds?
If you see +200 next to a team, it means a $100 bet would return $200 profit, plus your stake back. Positive odds indicate the underdog, and negative odds show the favorite.
How to bet on American football and win?
The best way to improve your chances is research and discipline. However, there is no secret recipe nor guaranteed prizes.
What is handicap betting in American football?
Handicap betting, also called the point spread, gives one team a virtual head start to balance the matchup. It is a well-known market not only in American football, but also for many other sports, including soccer, basketball, etc.
What is a money line bet in American Football?
This is a straightforward wager on which team will win a game.
