The final odds posted when the game begins is the closing line. Underdogs are often the contrarian side, as most bettors prefer backing the favorite. When a bet goes against the public, it is referred to as a contrarian bet. For example, a bettor could buy three points and turn a 4.5-point underdog into a 7.5-point underdog.

Some sportsbooks allow bettors to add points to the spread to make it a more favorable wager at worse odds. Common types of football teasers are backing two or three teams and moving each spread by six, 6.5 or 7 points. Unlike a parlay, a teaser uses more favorable spreads at a lower payout. Similar to a parlay, a teaser combines multiple bets into one wager. They range from things such as a player’s total receiving yards to the odds of overtime happening in a game. Prop bet:īetting on the spread and total are the most common ways to bet on football, but prop bets have been growing in popularity. With football games throughout the weekend, a parlay can be decided in as little as one day or even one game. Parlay:Ī football parlay is used to combine multiple bets into one wager, creating the opportunity for a massive payday. There are also totals for season wins, player props, and more. Often referred to as the total, the over/under is the number of points expected in a game. Bettors usually prefer wagering on the underdog in that scenario since a small risk can lead to a large reward. However, large favorites could have large money lines, which means you'll need to bet a lot to make a small profit. WThis is the simplest way to bet on a game and refers to the outright winner. If Dallas is -7.5, it is considered the 7.5-point favorite and must win by eight points or more to cover. This refers to the point spread that is determined by oddsmakers and the betting market. While there is an outright winner and loser in football games, there is also a winner and loser against the spread. Key NFL betting terms to know: Against the spread:

Point spread for this week nfl game