The money lines take into account each team’s chance of winning, a point spread aims to even out the chances through handicapping. The spread sets a margin of victory that the favored team needs to exceed. Conversely, team B covers by either winning outright or losing by 2 or fewer points. The payout odds for point spread bets are typically -110 on both sides, meaning you wager $110 to profit $100. Pay close attention to the spread when handicapping games to find cases where it may be set incorrectly.
Totals
Also known as over/under, total bets focus on the combined score of both teams. Sportsbooks set a benchmark total, and you can bet on whether the final score will go over or under that number. For high-scoring games, the total may be set at 60 points. In a defensive matchup, it may be 40 points. The payout odds are normally -110 on both overs and under. When analyzing a total bet, look at offensive and defensive trends for both teams.
Parlays
The previous bets focus on a single-game outcome; parlays allow you to combine picks across two or more games. It increases the risk but also jackpots the potential payout. For a parlay bet to cash, all legs must win – going 4 for 5 won’t cut it. Due to the added risk, the theoretical payouts are excellent.
Prop Bets
Proposition bets focus on occurrences within a game, rather than the outcome. Common prop bets include how many passing yards a quarterback will tally, which player will score the first touchdown, or whether there will be overtime. The popularity of prop bets has exploded in recent years, with sportsbooks getting very creative with exotic offerings. Make sure to shop around to find the best prop odds, as books can vary significantly in niche markets.
Futures
The Fun88 football bets focus on individual games, futures are season-long wagers on results. The most popular futures bet is picking the champion of a given league. For example, you can bet on Manchester City to win the 2023 English Premier League before the season begins. Other common futures include division and conference winners, over/under regular season win totals for teams, and whether a team will make the playoffs. Futures require predicting results months in advance but also offer tremendous payouts compared to game-day bets.
Live Betting
A newer betting option is wagering on games in real-time as they unfold. With the ability to react to what’s happening on the field, skilled in-game bettors can find great spots to capitalize on. Live betting is thrilling but carries added risk if you don’t stay poised. Now that you know the main types of football bets, here are some quick tips to bet smart:
- Shop for the best odds across multiple sportsbooks
- Follow line movements to detect shifts in the betting market
- Study team trends and incorporate analytics like expected goals
- Keep detailed records to analyze what bet types are most profitable
- Use proper bankroll management and bet sizing for your budget
- Stay disciplined and don’t chase losses by increasing bets
- Take advantage of sportsbook bonuses and promotions
- Don’t immediately bet on your favorite teams – remove emotion