5 NFL Bet Types Every Beginner Should Know

Getting started with NFL betting doesn’t have to be complicated. While sportsbooks offer hundreds of betting markets, most new bettors should begin by learning a handful of NFL bet types.

Understanding these five common NFL bets-moneylines, point spreads, totals, teasers, and alternate point spreads-will give you a solid foundation before moving on to player props, parlays, and other advanced markets.

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5 NFL Bet Types Every Beginner Should Know

Moneyline Bets

Moneyline betting is the simplest type of NFL wager. You’re simply picking which team will win the game.

Favorites have negative odds (such as -180), meaning you’ll risk more to win less. Underdogs have positive odds (such as +150), meaning a smaller wager returns a larger profit if they pull off the upset.

Because there are no point spreads to worry about, moneylines are often the easiest place for beginners to start.

Point Spread Bets

Point spread betting adds another layer by factoring in the expected margin of victory.

If a team is listed at -6.5, it must win by seven or more points to cover the spread. If you bet the underdog at +6.5, it can either win outright or lose by six points or fewer.

Learning football’s key numbers-particularly 3 and 7-can help you better understand how point spreads are priced and why small line movements matter.

Game Totals (Over/Under)

A total, or over/under, bet focuses on the combined points scored by both teams rather than who wins the game.

If the total is 46.5, you can bet:

• Over 46.5: 47 or more combined points.
• Under 46.5: 46 or fewer combined points.

Totals are influenced by factors such as offensive efficiency, defensive strength, pace of play, injuries, and weather, making research especially valuable before placing a wager.

Teaser Bets

A teaser is a parlay that lets you adjust the point spread or total in your favor in exchange for lower odds.

For example, a six-point teaser would turn a +2.5 underdog into +8.5 or a -8.5 favorite into -2.5. While these adjusted lines improve your chances of winning each individual leg, every selection in the teaser must still win for the bet to cash.

Teasers are more advanced than straight bets but can be useful once you’re comfortable with point spreads.

Alternate Point Spreads

Alternate point spreads let you choose a spread different from the sportsbook’s standard line.

If you believe a favorite will win comfortably, you can take a larger spread for a bigger payout. If you want a safer wager, you can move the spread in your favor at the cost of lower odds.

Alternate spreads provide flexibility and allow bettors to better align the risk and reward of each wager with their confidence in the game.

Final Thoughts

Learning the basics is the best way to build confidence as a new NFL bettor. Moneylines, point spreads, and totals should be your starting point, while teasers and alternate spreads become more useful as you gain experience.

Before exploring more advanced wagers like player props, same-game parlays, or live betting, make sure you understand how these five foundational bet types work. A strong grasp of the basics will help you make more informed betting decisions throughout the NFL season.