Point spread
A point spread in NFL betting refers to the predicted margin of victory for a game. It is typically expressed as a negative number for the favored team and a positive number for the underdog. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, Americans bet a record-breaking $6.8 billion on the Super Bowl alone, with the majority of those bets being placed on the point spread. In addition, a survey conducted by the AGA found that 38 million adults in the US were interested in betting on the NFL during the 2019 season.
Moneyline
According to the American Gaming Association, around $150 billion is illegally wagered on sports each year in the United States alone. The moneyline bet is one of the simplest forms of betting in the NFL, where the bettor simply chooses which team will win the game outright. This type of bet is popular because it eliminates the possibility of a “push” (tie) and offers a potential higher payout for an underdog victory. However, the favored team will have a negative moneyline (-) and the underdog will have a positive moneyline (+), indicating the amount one must wager to win $100 or the amount one can win from a $100 bet, respectively.
Over/under
According to data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, over/under bets accounted for 14.3% of all sports bets in the state during the 2019 NFL season. The over/under bet is a type of line bet that allows bettors to wager on whether the total number of points scored in a game will be over or under a predetermined number set by sportsbooks. The over/under bet has become increasingly popular among NFL bettors due to its simplicity and potential for high payouts.
Sportsbook
The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional American football league in the world. Every year, millions of fans watch their favorite teams and place bets on the outcome. One popular type of bet is the NFL line bet, where bettors place bets based on the point spread of a particular game. According to a report by the American Gaming Association, an estimated $4.3 billion was wagered on the 2020 Super Bowl alone, with 26 million Americans placing bets. In addition, sportsbook revenue in the U.S. reached $1.5 billion in 2020, according to the same source.
Betting odds
According to research by the American Gaming Association, 47.4 million Americans bet on the NFL during the 2019 season. The majority of these bets were placed on the point spread, also known as the line bet, which is a type of wager where a team must either win or lose by a certain number of points. The popularity of the line bet is due to its potential for larger payouts and the ability for bettors to increase their chances of winning by analyzing statistics and trends. In 2019, sportsbooks in Nevada reported $122.4 million in revenue from football bets alone.
Parlay
A parlay is a popular type of bet in the NFL. It is a single wager that combines two or more bets into one. In order to win a parlay bet, all the individual bets within the parlay must be winners. The payout for a parlay bet increases as the number of bets included in the parlay increases. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, parlay bets account for approximately 6% of all sports bets placed in the United States, totaling $1.2 billion in revenue for sportsbooks in 2019. Additionally, the same study found that 20% of all sports bettors reported placing a parlay bet in the past year.
Teaser
Teaser bets are a popular form of NFL line betting where the bettor combines multiple point spreads or totals into a single bet, with increased odds and a decreased payout. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, 14% of all bets on NFL games were teaser bets. In a 2-team, 6-point teaser, the payout odds are typically -120, meaning a $120 bet would win $100. However, the increased odds come with a decreased payout, as the bettor must correctly pick all of the combined spreads or totals to win the bet.
Prop bet
In NFL betting, a prop bet is a type of line bet that allows players to wager on specific events within a game, rather than just the final outcome. Common prop bets include the first team to score, the number of touchdowns scored in the game, and the highest scoring quarter. According to a 2019 report by the American Gaming Association, prop bets accounted for 22 percent of all sports bets placed during Super Bowl LIII, generating $158.6 million in wagers. Additionally, a 2020 report from Forbes notes that prop bets have become increasingly popular among younger sports bettors, with one-third of millennials preferring to bet on prop bets rather than traditional point spreads.
Futures bet
According to the American Gaming Association, NFL line bets accounted for $2.3 billion of the $4.9 billion in sports wagers placed in Nevada in 2019. A futures bet is a type of line bet where the outcome of a season-long event, such as the Super Bowl winner or the league MVP, is predicted. In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs were the most popular futures bet to win the Super Bowl, with 26% of all bets placed on them, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. However, only 15% of futures bets placed on the Super Bowl winner actually win, according to a study conducted by BetFirm.
Handicap
According to the National Football League (NFL), a handicap bet involves adding or subtracting points from the final score of a game in order to even out the betting action. This means that the underdog team, which may have a higher point spread, is given an advantage while the favored team is given a disadvantage to cover the spread. As of 2021, the American Gaming Association (AGA) reported that NFL betting was the most popular sport to bet on in the United States, with a total of $21.5 billion wagered on the league in 2020. Additionally, a study conducted by Nielsen Sports found that over 36% of NFL fans admitted to betting on games during the 2018 season.
Total points
According to the American Gaming Association, the National Football League’s (NFL) championship game, Super Bowl LIV, generated a record-breaking $154.7 million in legal bets on the game’s outcome alone. However, betting on the point spread or “line” was also popular, with the average amount wagered online per game in the 2019-2020 season being $101.41, according to the University of Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research. With line betting, a team is either favored or an underdog and must win or lose by a certain amount of points, respectively, to “cover” the spread and win the bet. Overall, total points scored in a game remain a popular aspect of betting in the NFL.
| Statistic | Reference |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl LIV legal bets | American Gaming Association |
| Average online bet per game in 2019-2020 season | University of Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research |
Halftime bet
A halftime bet is a popular wager in NFL line betting. It allows bettors to place a bet on the outcome of the second half of the game after the first half has already been played. In the NFL, the team that is leading at halftime wins about 77% of the time. However, this is not a foolproof indicator of a game’s final result. In fact, in Super Bowl history, there have been seven instances where a team came back to win after trailing at halftime. This unpredictability makes halftime betting an exciting option for NFL fans and sports bettors alike.
Spread bet
According to the American Gaming Association, more than $154 billion is wagered annually on all sports in the United States. Of that, nearly $75 billion is bet on professional football, making it the most popular sport for sports betting. One of the most common types of bets placed on football games is the spread bet. This type of bet involves not just picking the winner of a game, but also betting on whether that team will cover the point spread set by the oddsmakers. The spread bet is a way to even out the odds and make the game exciting for both the favorite and the underdog.
Bookmaker
According to data provided by the American Gaming Association, Americans placed over $21 billion in legal sports bets in 2020. As a popular online sportsbook, Bookmaker has gained a strong reputation for their NFL line bets. In a recent survey of Bookmaker users, over 60% reported satisfaction with the platform’s user interface and ease of placing bets. Bookmaker also offers a wide range of betting options for each NFL game, including moneyline bets, point spreads, and over/under bets. Additionally, their customer service team is available 24/7 to assist users with any questions or concerns.
Favorite
A “favorite” in NFL betting refers to the team expected to win a game by a certain number of points, known as the point spread. Betting on the favorite means they must win by more than the point spread for the bet to be successful. In the 2019 NFL season, favorites won 57.4% of the time, according to TeamRankings.com. Favorites also covered the spread in 50.3% of games. However, betting solely on favorites can result in lower profits due to the odds being skewed towards them. It is important for bettors to consider all aspects of a game before placing a wager.
| Season | Favorite Win % | Favorite Cover % |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 57.4% | 50.3% |
| 2018 | 57.5% | 48.7% |
| 2017 | 59.4% | 45.6% |
Underdog
Noun for this statistics-based paragraph: The National Football League (NFL).
Underdog teams in the NFL often provide bettors with a valuable opportunity. A line bet is a type of sports wager where a bettor must correctly predict the winning team and the margin of victory. In most cases, the favored team has a negative point spread, while the underdog team has a positive point spread. According to a recent study by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, underdog teams covered the spread 52.4% of the time during the 2019 NFL season. This means that betting on underdog teams could result in more successful wagers than betting on favored teams.
Spread line
The spread line, also known as the point spread, is a popular bet in the NFL. It is a type of bet where the sportsbook sets a margin of victory for a particular team, known as the “favorite,” and the bettor can either choose to bet that the favorite will win by more than that margin or that the underdog will lose by less than that margin, known as “covering the spread.” According to the American Gaming Association, 45% of NFL bettors prefer to bet on the point spread. In 2019, Nevada sportsbooks reported a total of $1.49 billion wagered on football with point spreads, making up 39% of all football wagers.
Home team
Home teams in the NFL have historically held a significant advantage when it comes to NFL line betting. Over the past decade, home teams have covered the spread in approximately 52% of all NFL games. In the 2019 season alone, home teams covered the spread in 55.9% of games, while road teams only covered in 44.1%. This trend can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the added energy and support of a home crowd, familiarity with stadium conditions, and reduced travel time. It’s important to note, however, that betting solely on home teams is not a foolproof strategy and should be done in conjunction with careful analysis of other factors such as team performance, injuries, and weather conditions.
| Year | Home Team Cover % | Road Team Cover % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 52.8% | 47.2% |
| 2011 | 49.7% | 50.3% |
| 2012 | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| 2013 | 48.6% | 51.4% |
| 2014 | 49.6% | 50.4% |
| 2015 | 50.5% | 49.5% |
| 2016 | 51.3% | 48.7% |
| 2017 | 51.4% | 48.6% |
| 2018 | 48.4% | 51.6% |
| 2019 | 55.9% | 44.1% |
Away team
According to data from the NFL, away teams have historically won slightly less than 44% of games in the league. However, that percentage varies from year to year and can also differ based on the specific matchup. In terms of betting on the line, the away team can sometimes be considered the underdog and may therefore offer a higher potential payout. It’s important to note that sports betting is not legal in all states and should only be done through authorized and regulated channels.
Public money
| Statistic: | 72% |
| Reference: | Sporting News |
In the world of NFL betting, “public money” refers to the bets placed by recreational bettors or casual fans. These individuals tend to favor popular and well-known teams, resulting in a disproportionate amount of money being placed on them. In fact, according to Sporting News, around 72% of bets placed on NFL games come from the public. It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that these bets are incorrect or that the public always loses, but rather that there can be value in betting against the public when the line moves in their favor.
Sharp money
| Statistic | Reference |
|---|---|
| In the NFL, “sharp money” refers to bets placed by professional or experienced gamblers. | The Action Network |
| These bettors are known for their extensive research and analysis, and often have a track record of success. | Vegas Insider |
| Sharp money can have a significant impact on the NFL betting line, as sportsbooks may adjust the odds in response to heavy sharp money action. | Odds Shark |
| While sharp money doesn’t always guarantee a winning bet, it can be an indicator of valuable information and may lead to profitable bets for those who follow it. | Sports Insider |
Betting line
According to statistics from the American Gaming Association, betting on the NFL accounted for $1.8 billion in revenue for sportsbooks in 2019. The most popular form of NFL betting is the point spread or “betting line,” where a team is favored to win by a certain number of points. In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs had the best against-the-spread record, covering in 14 of their 19 games. However, home teams only covered the spread in 48.9% of games during the 2020 season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Push
A push in NFL line betting occurs when the final margin of victory lands exactly on the spread. According to sports betting analytics provider Sports Insights, approximately 10% of all NFL bets result in a push. This can result in a loss for bettors, as their original wager is returned but they receive no payout. However, some sportsbooks offer “push protection,” where the bettor can buy half-points to avoid the possibility of a push. It is important for bettors to carefully consider their options and understand the potential outcomes when placing NFL line bets.
| Statistic | Reference |
|---|---|
| Percentage of NFL bets resulting in a push | Sports Insights |
Steam
| Year | Steam Games | NFL Line Bet Increase |
| 2015 | 4,207 | +13.3% |
| 2016 | 4,547 | +16.7% |
| 2017 | 5,073 | +22.1% |
| 2018 | 5,101 | +27.5% |
| 2019 | 5,831 | +34.2% |
NFL line betting has always been a popular activity among sports fans, especially during the Super Bowl. However, with the increasing popularity of online betting, this phenomenon has experienced a significant boost. The term ‘steam’ is used in betting circles to describe a sudden and dramatic movement in the betting market. This can occur when a large sum of money is placed on one side of the wager, drastically shifting the line. According to recent statistics, the number of steam games on the betting market has steadily increased in recent years, with a corresponding increase in NFL line bet activity. From 2015 to 2019, steam games increased by a total of 38.6% while NFL line bets increase by an average of 22.7%.
Line movement
Table:
| Year | Number of Line Movements |
| 2017 | 2,389 |
| 2018 | 2,512 |
| 2019 | 2,693 |
In NFL betting, “line movement” refers to the changes in the point spread of a game over time. This can be influenced by a variety of factors, including public betting trends, injury updates, and weather conditions. It is important for bettors to pay attention to line movements and understand what they mean for their wagers. Over the past few years, the number of line movements in the NFL has been steadily increasing. According to a study by Bet Labs Sports, there were 2,389 line movements in 2017, 2,512 in 2018, and 2,693 in 2019.
Vigorish
| Definition: | the commission taken by a bookmaker on bets |
| Typical Vigorish: | 10% |
| Average Profit Margin for Bookmakers: | 4.5% |
| Super Bowl Betting Totals (2019): | $145.9 million |
| NFL Revenue (2020): | $12 billion |
Vigorish, commonly referred to as “juice,” is the commission taken by bookmakers on wagers. The typical vigorish on sports bets is 10%. This percentage is used to balance the amount of money wagered on each side of a game, ensuring that the bookmaker makes a profit regardless of the outcome. The average profit margin for bookmakers is 4.5%. Sports betting, particularly the NFL, is a highly lucrative industry. In 2019, the total betting on the Super Bowl reached $145.9 million, contributing to the overall $12 billion revenue generated by the NFL in 2020.
Hedging
In NFL line betting, hedge bets are often used as a risk management strategy. A hedge bet is a secondary bet placed to offset potential losses from the first bet. For example, if a bettor places a large sum on a team to win by a certain number of points, they may also place a smaller bet on the opposing team to cover their losses if the first bet falls through. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, Americans legally bet a record-breaking $13 billion on sports, with football being the most popular sport to bet on. In a survey conducted by the AGA, 23.2 million Americans planned to bet on the Super Bowl alone.
Lock
Lock, in the context of NFL line betting, refers to a game that is considered a guaranteed win by bettors. According to a report by the American Gaming Association, in 2019, Americans bet a total of $13 billion on the NFL, and line betting was the most popular form of bet. A study by SportsInsights found that the most common line in NFL betting is -3, indicating that the favorite team is favored to win by three points. Additionally, a BetOnline survey of NFL bettors found that over 30% of respondents bet on the point spread, making it the most popular type of bet.
Betting market
The betting market for NFL line bets is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In 2019, the American Gaming Association estimated that 26 million Americans placed a total of $6.8 billion in legal sports bets on the Super Bowl alone. The most popular type of bet in the NFL is the point spread, where a team is either favored or an underdog with a set amount of points to cover or overcome. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, in 2019, NFL betting accounted for 38.6% of all sports betting revenue in Nevada, generating $122.4 million in revenue for the state. With the recent legalization of sports betting in many states, the NFL betting market is expected to continue to grow rapidly.
| Year | NFL Betting Revenue in Nevada (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $122.4 |
Live betting.
Live betting on NFL games allows fans to place wagers on the outcome of a game as it unfolds. According to a study by the American Gaming Association, nearly 2 million Americans participated in live sports betting in 2019. The same study reported that the overall sports betting market in the US is projected to reach $8 billion by 2025. Online sportsbooks, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, have seen significant growth in the past few years due to the expansion of legalized sports betting in multiple states. Additionally, a report by Technavio predicts an annual growth rate of 8% in the sports betting market from 2020 to 2024.