How to bet on American Football
American Football may be known as America’s Game, but interest in the sport is spread across the world. As interest has grown in other markets, so has betting on American football. With many televised games taking place each week, as well as a long list of games every Sunday, the sport lends itself to betting, providing opportunities for fans no matter how they bet.
If you are looking to improve your American football betting, or place bets for the first time this season then this article will guide you through the most common ways to bet.
The Handicap Line
In some sports you will notice that the most common way to bet is by using the handicap line. This is the case in basketball, and usually the case for rugby punters too, and American football is another sport that joins the list. The handicap line is a market created by your bookmaker to bring the two opposing teams as close to level as possible from a betting point of view. This means that both teams will be the same price to win the game on the handicap line, or very closely matched.
For example, a game between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns may look very uncompetitive to fans, however the handicap line will bring this game to life from a betting point of view. No one believes the Browns can win the game, but what if they were given a 15.5 point start? That would make things more interesting, could the Patriots still win, even though they needed to win by 16 or more, or would the Browns make their advantage count?
The handicap line is available for every single game, and if you understand how handicaps work then this is certainly the best and most popular place to head. The most popular strategy when using this line is to back a team you think are going to win with ease, and win by enough points to cover the handicap line. For example, a team that is -6 on the handicap line will be a far better price using that line than the money line, and if you think they are going to win by double digits then this is a great way to back them at a bigger price.
The Money Line
When betting on American sports the money line is what is known as the standard win line. This is as simple as betting can be, it is simply who will win the game, and this is a two way market so includes any overtime that is played in the game. If you are completely new to betting then this line would probably be the best place for you to start as it keeps things simple.
The odds on offer are not as good as other lines, but as a starting point it is a good place to go. Using the example above, if you were backing the New England Patriots to beat the Cleveland Browns by any score line, including overtime if needed then they are sure to be a very short price favourite. However, on other games you will get a better price, and if you are looking for a simple way to get involved this is certainly it.
Betting on Total Points
Betting on the total points in a game is something that started with American sports but is now part of betting on almost any sport. If you are looking for a way to get involved but you don’t want to back a team to win then this total points market could be the place to start.
While some people think that betting on the total points in the game is a fun bet, there is also a lot of skill involved when placing bets on this market. Analysing the chances of a team scoring against their opposing defence is something you have to do on this line before placing your bet. For example, the Denver Broncos struggled to score last season, and they have a very good defensive unit who can stop the opposition. Therefore their games are likely to be low scoring, so on the total points line you should be looking to back under the line.
The total opposite of that was the New England Patriots at the beginning of last season. They had real defensive issues to start with, something they managed to solve later in the season but their opening games were good games for betting over on the total points market. If the Patriots are poor defensively again then they have the offensive weapons to be involved in a lot of high scoring games.
Winning Margin
Perhaps the toughest market to solve when it comes to American football betting is the winning margin market. With six points awarded for a touchdown, and then another one or two on offer depending on what a team chooses to do with their extra point attempt, just one score can make a huge difference to the scoreboard, which makes this market tough to predict. However, should you manage to get one right then good odds are on offer for winning bets, so it is certainly a line to consider.
NFL Betting Offers
888Sport- American Dream Acca Refund
If you are looking to place your American football accumulators for the upcoming action then 888Sport is the place to head. They have an accumulator offer called American Dream that covers all American sports, including American football.
Simple place an accumulator with them of £5 or more with five selections and minimum odds of 3/10 on each selection and you will qualify for the offer. If your bet loses by one selection then they will refund your stake up to a maximum of £25 as a free bet. While it is disappointing to be so close to winning a bet, at least you will be able to try again the following week with your free bet voucher.
You might also be interested in:
Top 20 Betting Offers
18+ | New players only. Opt-in. Min deposit is £20. Offer: Place a £20 sports cash bet at minimum odds of 3/4 (1.75) or higher and receive a £20 Free Bet. Free bet credited upon settlement of all qualifying bets. Free Bet can be redeemed on selected sports & markets and used on single or accumulator bets (min. 3 selections). Free Bet must be used at minimum odds of 4/5 (1.80). Free Bet stake is not returned with winnings. Winnings are credited as withdrawable cash. Maximum odds of 10.00 may apply. Free Bet must be used within 7 days of being credited. Affordability checks may apply. Full terms apply. | BeGambleAware.org. | |||||
18+. New customers only. Opt in required. Minimum bet of £20 on any selections. Min odds of evens (2.00). Pre-game only. Free bet awarded upon settlement. Free bet split into 4 x £5. Free bet on accumulators only. Free bet expiry 24 hours. Other free bet terms apply. Maximum pay-outs apply. GamCare.org.uk | UK only. Full T&Cs apply. #ad | |||||
New customers. Bet £40+ at odds 2.0 (evens) or greater, with code BET40GET20, get 2×£10 Free Bets. Free Bets must be placed at min odds 4/1 (5.0) or greater, paid after settlement and 24h later, expire in 24h. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | |||||
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. | |||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly | |||||
New customers only. Applies to the 1st deposit using code WELCOME7. Min deposit £20. Min qualifying bet £20 at odds 1/1 (2.0). Cash‑out not permitted. Bonus Bets issued as 1×£7 BB (any sport excl. Virtuals), followed by 1×£7 BB (Horse Racing, SP/EW excluded) and 1×£7 BB (Football ACCA, min 4 selections, min odds 4.0). Bonus Bet stake not returned. Bonus Bets valid 5 days from credit. Max winnings £500 / £500 / £100 per Bonus Bet. One per customer. General T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | 18+ | |||||
New customers online only. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. Bet a min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) across sports or racing within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 2 x £/€5 Bet Builder within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to bet slip. Voided/non-runner bets will not qualify; subsequent bet will be qualifying bet. 7-day expiry. 18+. One per customer. Selected customers only. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. | |||||
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. | |||||
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply. | |||||
New customers only. Min £20 bet at odds 2.00+. Max reward: One £10 Free Bet and two £5 Combo Free Bets. £10 Free Bet min odds 1/1 (2.00). £5 Combo Free Bets min odds 2/1 (3.0). Free Bets expire 7 days after credit. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. | |||||
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | |||||
*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ | |||||
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ | |||||
Place a £10 fixed odds Outright winner cash bet on a nation to win the World Cup. Once the bet is placed, receive 1 x free £10 fixed odds bet, 1 x free £10 football Total Goals spread bet and 1 x free £10 football Supremacy spread bet. Then receive a further free £10 fixed odds bet for every match your chosen nation wins during the World Cup, to a maximum of 7 wins. Offer expires at 9pm on Tues 23rd June 2026. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. | |||||
18+ | GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit & Stake £10 on slots to get 100 x £0.20 Free Spins on Sweet Bonanza with 10x wagering on free spins. Debit card or instant bank transfer only. Claim within 7 days. Spins expire within 48 hours. Geographical restrictions and T&Cs apply. #AD | |||||
Offer valid for new Betgoodwin customers aged 18 years and over. Min qualifying stake £10 at odds of 6/4+. Excludes horse & greyhound racing. Min 4 legs at odds of 2/5+ for £10 free acca. Full Terms apply. begambleaware | |||||
18+| GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and Bet £10+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £30 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.#AD | |||||
New sportsbook customers only. Place £10 first bet at min odds 1/2 to get £20 Free Bet. Stake not returned. Free Bet valid 7 days, min odds 1/2. Settled bets only. One welcome offer per customer (not with 50% Net Loss Refund). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. | |||||
New customers only. Min £20 bet at odds 2.00+. Max reward: One £10 Free Bet and two £5 Combo Free Bets. £10 Free Bet min odds 1/1 (2.00). £5 Combo Free Bets min odds 2/1 (3.0). Free Bets expire 7 days after credit. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. | |||||
#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly! |
