Football odds are a way of predicting how much money you can win or lose based on the result of a particular game. This type of betting can be a great way to make a profit on your favorite teams, but it’s important to understand the basics first before you begin placing wagers.

Odds Change Pre-Game And In-Play

Betting on football is not an exact science, and the odds can vary from one bookmaker to another. There are a number of reasons for this, including physical events that occur during a match, like a goal scored or a red card given.

Handicap/Point Spread Bets

The most common form of betting in the NFL is called handicap (or point spread) betting. You’ll see a number next to the team you’re betting on, which will tell you whether they’re favored or underdog in this game.

Totals Bets

The second most popular form of bet in the NFL is totals, or Over/Under bets. For example, if you’re watching a Monday night game between the Packers and the Bears, the sportsbook will post an Over/Under line of 47.5.

To win this type of bet, the winning team needs to cover a certain number of points. This is why the odds can be confusing, since they include a + and a -, which means that they have to win by more than a certain amount or lose by less. You can also use this type of bet to find value, which can help you turn a nice profit in the long run. closing tonight