
NFL betting keeps growing, and it is now legal in more states than ever (30). As a result, a record number of fans will bet on their favorite teams for the first time. If you have never bet on the NFL, all the terms and bet types can seem overwhelming at first.
However, now is the perfect time to learn the most popular betting terms, before the sports calendar fills up. Right now, Major League Baseball, the WNBA, golf tournaments around the world and NASCAR are all in full swing. Then, around mid-fall, college and pro football, basketball and hockey join in. To help you bet on all of these sports, we put together a quick guide. After reading it, you will be ready to wager like a pro.
Betting Guide, Glossary & Terms
As with anything new, you should learn the basics before you start. So, here are the most common betting terms.
Popular NFL Bet Types
Against the spread: The spread is set by the sportsbooks based on betting at Vegas casinos and several other factors. You can easily find it on any betting site. The tricky part is that you must pick the winner and how much they win by. For example, say a team is favored by 7.5 points and you bet on them. If they only win by 6, you lose the bet.
Money line: With a money line bet, you simply pick the team you think will win. There is no spread to cover, so the final margin does not matter.
Over-under: This bet is different because you are not picking a winner. Instead, you bet on how many points both teams will score combined.
Outright: This is the simplest bet there is. You pick one winner, there is no spread to worry about, and you either win or lose. Besides team sports, you can also bet outright on sports with many individual competitors, such as NASCAR.
Parlay: A parlay is risky, but it can pay off if you play your odds right (pun intended). In a parlay, you combine bets on several games into one single bet. However, the more games you add, the higher the risk, because every pick must win.
Teaser: A teaser is a good option if you are not sure a team will cover the spread. In short, you move the spread in your favor across several games. In return, you accept a lower payout.
Prop bet: Want to bet on something other than the final score? With a prop bet, you can bet on almost anything besides the winner or the score. For example, you might bet on whether a player hits a home run or makes a three-pointer, depending on the sport. You can also bet on whether an athlete reaches a certain stat.
Futures: Looking ahead to next football season? A futures bet is simply a bet on an event that won’t happen for a while. It can also be combined with other bet types. For instance, it is a fun option when your favorite team plays its rival later in the season.
Other NFL Betting Terms
Live betting: This one is easy to understand. You simply place bets while the game is in progress. However, if your internet connection is slow, place your bet early so it goes through in time.
“Off the board”: This means a sportsbook has pulled the bets because of something nobody could have reasonably expected. For example, a star player might get injured, or extreme weather might hit an outdoor game.
NFL Calendar For 2022-2023 Season
- Aug 4, 2022 – NFL Preseason Starts – Hall of Fame Game
- Sept 8, 2022 – NFL Kickoff Game – Beginning of Regular Season
- Jan 14, 2023 – NFL Playoffs Begin
- Feb 5, 2023 – Pro Bowl
- Feb 12, 2023 – Super Bowl LVII – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Online NFL Sportsbook Bonus Codes For 2023
Like any business, sports betting sites often offer promo codes to first-time users. We highly recommend finding one, although you don’t have to. In fact, most major sports betting sites advertise their codes widely.
Each betting site has different requirements for its promotions, and there are often extra terms and conditions. So, always read what you are agreeing to when you sign up.
Below, we list the current sign-up bonuses at the top football betting sites.
| Rank | Betting Sites | Sign Up Bonus | Sports | Casino | Poker | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
review page |
150% up to $300 | |
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#2 |
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50% up to $250 | |
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| #3 |
review page |
50% up to $1,000 | |
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| #4 |
review page |
50% up to $1,000 | |
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| #5 |
review page |
50% up to $1,000 | |
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| Rank | Get Started |
|---|---|
#1
review page |
150% up to $300
|
CASINO
SPORTS
POKER
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#2
review page |
50% up to $250
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CASINO
SPORTS
POKER
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#3
review page |
50% up to $1,000
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SPORTS
POKER
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#4
review page |
50% up to $1,000
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CASINO
SPORTS
POKER
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#5
review page |
50% up to $1,000
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CASINO
SPORTS
POKER
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