If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a sports fan or a fanatic who follows the games and matches closely. Maybe you’re a bit of both. Either way, you’ve probably spent plenty of time reading up on the scores and results of your favourite teams and players. Now that the 2019 NFL season has begun, it’s time to turn your attention to wagering. Thanks to the abundance of online sports books and the advanced technology surrounding matches and games, it’s never been easier to bet on football. Let’s take a look at how to read a NFL betting line.
The Basics
Before you begin reading the betting lines, it’s important to take a step back and examine the basics. Simply put, football is a sport that’s extremely popular worldwide. It’s also one of the more popular sports to bet on. With the right information, it’s possible to place winning bets on NFL matches and even on the outcome of games. That’s what this article is all about, teaching you how to read a NFL betting line so you can place smarter, more profitable bets in the future.
Reading The Press Conferences
One of the best ways to get an edge in the NFL wagering is by reading the press conferences. When a new NFL season begins, the general public usually turns their attention to the upcoming games. However, the media may have already discovered a few match-ups that they feel are worth reporting on. During these press conferences, the coaches and the players will answer questions about their strategies and how they plan on using their players this upcoming season. There will also be plenty of stats and information provided about each team and their opponents.
During these press conferences, it’s important to look for several things. First, is the spread? Second, what kind of game is it? Third, who are the underdogs? And, last but not least, what is the over/under on the total number of points scored? These are all vital questions you need to ask yourself before placing a single bet on an NFL game. If you know the answer to any of these questions, you’re already 90% of the way to a winning bet. With a little bit of luck, you may just scrape through with a winning bet. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and to place a bet you’re not comfortable with, than it is to place a lame bet because you didn’t know how to properly read a line.
Reading The Injuries & Absences
Another great way to get an advantage in upcoming NFL wagering is by reading the injuries and absences. You don’t want to get stuck with a player who’s been ruled out due to injury, especially since you’re aiming for a profit. That’s why it’s crucial to check and see if any of your starting players will be out for any extended period of time. Fortunately, there are different apps and websites that can provide you with instant information about injuries and leave guards. This way, you can be sure that everyone is fresh and ready to go for the start of the season. If there are any concerns about whether or not a player will be available for the entire season, it’s best to skip that game entirely.
Pay Attention To The Spread
The first thing you want to do when you open an online sportsbook is to check out the spreads. A good betting option will usually have several different betting lines available, with the teaser being the cheapest and the odds-on being the most expensive. If you’ve never opened an online sportsbook before, take a little bit of time to browse around and see what spreads they offer. You may also want to try a few different sites before making a decision. It’s also important to note that some bookies will only offer certain sports, such as horse racing or poker. If you notice, those are the same sports that some of the biggest betting companies in the world focus on. It’s important to remember that not all spreads are created equal. Some may be extremely favorable towards one team or another. It’s up to you to decide if you want to wager on that game or not. It’s also crucial to look at the current line, not the teaser line. The spread may have changed since the last time you checked in on the game. Be sure to check for up-to-the-minute spreads as soon as possible after a game has ended.
The Total
Last but not least, we have the total. Simply put, the total is the sum of the scores of the game. For example, if the half-time score is 45-7 and the final score is 56-14, the total is 119. You’ll often find this number presented in either decimal or American formats, along with the over/under. You can also find this information directly from the bookmakers if you’re not sure. Remember, the over/under is simply the total number of points that are expected to be scored by both teams. For instance, if you see that the total is 45 but the over/under is 50, then you know that there’s a 50-point margin of error in that particular game. It would be wise to avoid bets where the total is in the 40s or 50s, especially if the over/under is in the 30s or 40s. Those are the classic bread and butter of a bookmaker. The total is usually less important in college football, as the games are usually less close. It’s also important to remember that the spread and the over/under are usually higher in college football than they are in the pros. Be sure to look at the context of where you’ll be placing your wagers before making a decision.
Those are some pretty handy tips for reading a betting line. Simply put, it’s never been easier to make a profit from sports. Thanks to the likes of Google and Amazon, along with a handful of other tech companies, getting information about your favourite teams and players has never been easier. With a little bit of homework, it’s possible to find all the information you need to place winning bets. Of course, this may mean doing a bit of research online before the games even start.