Reading NFL odds
Reading NFL odds is the most important step to betting on football. It can be a little confusing at first, but with a bit of practice, you’ll be a pro in short order!
When you’re reading NFL odds, the first step is to determine where the “+” and “-” symbols are located in the odds listing. A “+” symbol indicates a betting underdog, which is what sportsbooks and bettors perceive to be the less likely outcome to occur.
Conversely, a “-” symbol designates the betting favorite, which is perceived as the more likely outcome. In head-to-head matchups (like moneyline, spread, and totals wagers), you’ll only see one favorite and one underdog; on the other hand, futures bets can have many more outcomes, and most of them will have a + symbol.
Next, look at the number listed after each sign. The number listed after the “-” sign represents how much money you’d need to wager to win $100, while the number after the + sign shows how much money you’d win with a $100 bet.
Basing around the 100 is a good way to conceptualize the odds, but you don’t need to bet $100 or more on each wager. Payouts are scaled proportionally to your stake, so pick an amount to bet that doesn’t break your budget.
In cases where all outcomes have a “+” sign (such as with futures bets), the betting favorite is the one that has the smallest number after the “+”. Similarly, in close head-to-head matchups, you may find both outcomes have “-” symbols; in that case, the betting favorite has the higher number after the “-”.
Types of wagers you can place on the NFL
The types of wagers you can place on the NFL are virtually endless, leaving you with tons of options when crafting your betting slip. Here are a few of the most popular options for betting on the New England Patriots.
