What was once a league taboo is now another piece of the NFL pie – along with fantasy sports and beer – NFL betting. It’s always been a staple of the sport, but the league ignored its popularity until it finally embraced it.
Why? Because, no matter the records, a last-second field goal to win your bet is always thrilling.
Betting on the NFL is as standard today as enjoying a slot machine or playing a hand of blackjack. If you’re a casino player who wants to be a part of the action, there’s no better time to get started. To make your transition smooth, here’s a guide to help casino players get started with betting on NFL games.
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Why NFL Betting Appeals to Casino Players
NFL betting would appeal to casino players because it combines all the things they love: excitement, entertainment, and the thrill of risk and reward. Instead of spinning reels or drawing cards, bettors get to wager on real teams, real players, and real outcomes – every play can change the stakes. Like enjoying a bonus round in a slot, each game brings unpredictable twists, high-energy moments, and the potential for huge paydays.
Some single football bets have great odds, like betting red or black in roulette. Other wagers, like parlays, have long odds but huge paydays, like hitting a progressive jackpot on a slot machine.
The NFL is tailor-made for sports betting. Nearly every game is played on Sunday, with a Thursday night matchup to kick things off and Monday Night Football to close the week. With only 17 games over 18 weeks, every matchup matters – there’s little room for mistakes or complacency. The short schedule makes it easier to analyze stats, injuries, and matchups, but it also means the margin for error is razor-thin. As the saying goes, “any given Sunday,” any team can win or beat the odds. Underdogs often cover the spread – or win outright – keeping every bet unpredictable and exciting.
NFL Betting Terms Every Casino Player Should Know
But what is a spread? Or a parlay? Or even a single bet? Let’s break down the terms that every casino player should know.
NFL Point Spread:
Called the “spread” for short, a point spread is the margin set by oddsmakers to even the playing field between two NFL teams. Instead of just picking who wins, you’re betting on whether a team will win by more or less than the spread.
- For Example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are -6.5 favorites against the Las Vegas Raiders:
- The Chiefs must win by seven or more points to cover the spread.
- The Raiders, the +6.5 underdog, can lose by six or fewer, or win outright, for their side to cover.
Without a spread, betting on the more talented team to just win would be a low-volume payday more often than not. Betting on the spread provides a more balanced payout.
Moneyline:
A moneyline bet is simply picking which team wins. The odds show each team’s strength: a favorite at -500 means you bet $500 to win $100, while an underdog at +500 means a $100 bet wins $500 if they pull off the upset.
Total:
An NFL total (or over/under) is a bet on the combined score of both teams. You’re wagering whether the total points will be over or under the number set by oddsmakers. For example, if the total for Chiefs vs. Raiders is 59.5 and the final score is 35–25 (60 points), an over bet wins and an under bet loses.
Parlay:
An NFL parlay combines two or more bets into one. The more selections, the more the payout. All selections must win for the parlay to pay out, but the payout is much higher than betting each game individually.
Juice:
In NFL betting, the juice (or vig) is the small fee sportsbooks charge to take your bet – usually around -110 on standard wagers. It’s how the book makes money, regardless of which team wins.
Prop Bet:
An NFL prop bet (short for proposition bet) focuses on a specific outcome within a game rather than the final score. Examples include betting on a player’s total passing yards, who scores the first touchdown, or how many field goals are made.
How NFL Betting Compares to Casino Games
NFL betting and casino games both deliver excitement, strategy, and the chance for big payouts – but they appeal in different ways. In the casino, results rely mostly on chance, with games like slots or roulette offering instant action. NFL betting, on the other hand, rewards knowledge and analysis.
Bettors study stats, injuries, and matchups to gain an edge, creating a sense of control that most casino games don’t provide. The closest you can get to NFL strategy is when you’re playing perfect strategy in online blackjack.
How to Get Started with NFL Betting
If you don’t already have an account:
To get started, first you need a Bovada account. Head to the official website and click “Join.” You’ll be asked to enter all your information, and you’ll be able to make your first deposit.
If you’re smart enough to deposit with crypto, you’ll receive a 75% bonus on your first deposit up to $750.
When you already have an account:
When you’re ready, click Sports, then select NFL to see upcoming games with their spreads, moneylines, and totals. Click a matchup to view all available prop bets, make your picks, and the bet slip handles the rest. Choose Single for individual wagers or Multiples for parlays.
That’s it – you’re officially in the mix of NFL betting. For more on advanced options like buying points, teasers, and round robins, visit the NFL betting help section.
Final Tips for Casino Players Trying NFL Betting
If you long to feel more in control of your gaming experience, there’s no better form of entertainment than placing bets on some NFL games and watching the drama unfold. Here are some final notes to remember to ensure there are no surprises on gameday:
- Although odds dictate which team is likely to be more successful, never forget that on “any given Sunday,” anything can happen. Parlay-destroying upsets happen all the time.
- Make wagers based on knowledge and logic, not on how big or small the spread, moneyline, or total may be.
- Acquire info from NFL betting experts, but don’t take their word as gospel. If every expert were consistently right, betting on the NFL would be their full-time job.
- Manage your bankroll. Multiple prop bets and parlays add up.
- Read the football betting rules before getting started to ensure you know all the ways wagers can have action or be settled as no action.
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