Football betting can seem complicated, but it starts with a basic bet on the point spread. This means betting on a team to win by a certain number of points or for the underdog to stay within that margin. The standard odds for point spread bets are 11 to 10, meaning you must bet $11 to win $10 on Sbobet88.
Example of a Football Bet
If Philadelphia (-3) is playing Washington (+3), Philadelphia is the favorite and must win by more than 3 points for the bet to win. If Washington wins outright or loses by 2 or fewer points, the bet on Washington wins. If Philadelphia wins by exactly 3 points, the bet is a tie (or “push”), and money is refunded.
The total (Over/Under) is the combined number of points scored by both teams. A bettor can wager on whether the final score will be higher or lower than the given total. Overtime points count toward this total.
Understanding the Money Line
A money line bet is a wager on which team will win, regardless of the point spread. The team with a minus sign (-) is the favorite, while the team with a plus sign (+) is the underdog. The odds show how much you need to bet to win $100 or how much you win from a $100 bet.
Example:
- Philadelphia (-160): Bet $160 to win $100
- Washington (+140): Bet $100 to win $140
First Half & Halftime Betting
Bettors can place wagers on just the first or second half of a game. A first-half bet is based on the score at halftime, while a halftime bet resets the score to 0-0 for betting purposes. Overtime is included in second-half bets.
Parlays: Combining Multiple Bets
A parlay is when you bet on multiple teams or totals in one wager. If one game results in a tie, the parlay is reduced to the next lowest number of bets.
Example:
- A 4-team parlay with one tie becomes a 3-team parlay.
- A 2-team parlay with a tie becomes a single bet.
Parlay Cards
These are popular during football season and allow small bets with potentially high payouts. Bettors choose multiple teams, with different types of parlay cards offering different payout scales. A common type is the “1/2 point” card, which removes the chance of a tie.
Teasers: Adjusting the Point Spread
Teasers allow bettors to adjust the point spread in their favor by adding points to an underdog or subtracting points from a favorite. Football teasers are available in 6, 6.5, and 7-point options.
- A tie-in a teaser bet usually reduces the wager to the next lowest number of bets.
- In a 2-team teaser, a tie results in a “No Action” bet, and money is refunded.
- For 10- and 14-point teasers, ties result in a loss.
By understanding these basic betting options, you can start placing football bets with more confidence!
