What are the most popular types of NFL bets?
Explore popular NFL bet types and learn how arbitrage betting can eliminate risk and maximize profits.
What are the most popular types of NFL bets?
The most popular types of NFL bets include moneyline, point spread, over/under totals, parlays, and prop bets.
Each bet type offers different risk and reward profiles, catering to a variety of betting preferences and strategies.
While traditional bets involve risk and guesswork, arbitrage betting removes uncertainty by guaranteeing profits through calculated wagers across multiple bookmakers.
Moneyline Bets
Moneyline bets are the simplest and most straightforward NFL wagers. You simply pick the team you believe will win the game outright. The odds reflect how likely each team is to win, with favorites having lower payouts and underdogs offering higher payouts.
- •No point spread involved, just pick the winner
- •Odds expressed as positive or negative numbers
- •Popular among beginners due to simplicity
💡Moneyline Bet Example
If Team A has odds of -150 and Team B has +130, betting $150 on Team A yields $100 profit if they win, while a $100 bet on Team B yields $130 profit.
Payout = Stake * (Odds/100) for positive odds, Payout = Stake / (|Odds|/100) for negative odds
Point Spread Bets
Point spread bets level the playing field by giving the underdog a points advantage or the favorite a points disadvantage. To win, the favorite must win by more than the spread, or the underdog must lose by less than the spread or win outright.
- •Balances betting action on both teams
- •Common spreads are in increments of 0.5 to avoid ties
- •Requires understanding of team performance beyond just winning
💡Point Spread Bet Example
If the Patriots are -7 favorites against the Jets, Patriots must win by more than 7 points for a bet on them to win. A Jets bet wins if they lose by 6 or fewer points or win outright.
Outcome depends on final score difference compared to the spread
Over/Under (Totals) Bets
Over/under bets focus on the combined score of both teams. Bettors wager whether the total points scored will be over or under a line set by the sportsbook, making it less dependent on the outcome and more on game dynamics.
- •Popular for fans interested in game tempo
- •Requires analysis of offensive and defensive capabilities
- •Less influenced by which team wins
💡Over/Under Bet Example
If the total is set at 45.5 points, an over bet wins if the combined final score is 46 or more; under wins if total is 45 or less.
Total points scored compared to set line
Parlay Bets
Parlays combine multiple bets into one wager, requiring all selections to win for a payout. While they offer higher potential returns, they also increase risk since one loss voids the entire bet. Arbitrage betting can help manage this risk by locking in profits across outcomes.
- •Higher payouts due to cumulative odds
- •Increased risk with more selections
- •Popular for bettors seeking big wins
Arbitrage and Parlays
Because parlays are riskier, arbitrage betting provides a safer alternative by hedging bets across different bookmakers to guarantee returns regardless of outcomes.
- →Eliminates full loss risk
- →Ensures consistent profits
- →Ideal for managing complex wagers
💡Parlay Bet Example
A parlay of 3 NFL games with odds of 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0 yields combined odds of 5.1. A $100 bet would payout $510 if all three bets win.
Combined Odds = 1.5 * 1.7 * 2.0 = 5.1
Proposition (Prop) Bets
Prop bets focus on specific events within a game, such as a player’s total rushing yards or whether the first touchdown will be scored by a particular player. These bets offer creative ways to engage but can be difficult to predict, which is why arbitrage betting tools like ArbitUp are helpful to identify profitable opportunities.
- •Wide variety of specific event bets
- •Often have higher odds due to unpredictability
- •Great for fan engagement and specialized knowledge
💡Prop Bet Example
Betting on a quarterback to throw over 300 yards with odds of +120 means a $100 bet would yield $120 profit if successful.
Profit = Stake * (Odds/100) if odds are positive
Future Bets
Future bets involve wagering on events that will occur later in the season such as Super Bowl winners or division champions. These bets tie up capital for longer periods and carry risk due to changing team conditions. Arbitrage betting can reduce these risks by finding guaranteed profit opportunities across markets.
- •Long-term wagers with often lucrative odds
- •Subject to team form changes and injuries
- •Require patience and strategic bankroll management
Managing Future Bet Risks with Arbitrage
Since futures are unpredictable, arbitrage betting techniques can be used to hedge bets and lock in profits as odds shift, minimizing downside exposure.
- →Locks in profits despite changing odds
- →Reduces exposure to unexpected outcomes
- →Simplifies complex risk management
💡Future Bet Example
Betting on a team at +400 to win the Super Bowl early in the season offers $400 profit on $100 if they win, but the odds may shorten as the season progresses allowing arbitrage opportunities.
Profit = Stake * (Odds/100)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Ignoring the impact of the vigorish or bookmaker margin, which reduces overall profitability.
- ⚠️Betting without comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks, missing better value.
- ⚠️Overlooking the importance of bankroll management, leading to unsustainable losses.
- ⚠️Placing parlays without understanding the increased risk of all selections needing to win.
- ⚠️Failing to factor in injuries, weather, and other external influences on game outcomes.
- ⚠️Chasing losses by increasing bet sizes, which can exacerbate losses.
- ⚠️Not using tools to automate complex calculations, resulting in errors and missed arbitrage opportunities.
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork by allowing bettors to lock in guaranteed profits regardless of the outcome through strategic wagering across multiple bookmakers.
- ✓Removes risk associated with traditional betting guesswork
- ✓Ensures consistent, predictable returns
- ✓Simplifies complex betting calculations with automation tools like ArbitUp
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This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.