Football Odds Vegas

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Super Bowl week has arrived and for fans, this is the biggest betting week of the year. The excitement will continue throughout the week. This will be a full breakdown of everything you need to know about betting on the Super Bowl including where, how, and tips to help with your strategic decision making.

Visit ESPN to view NFL odds, point spreads and moneylines from this week's games. Las Vegas NFL odds for every game on the schedule with the latest line moves. Stay up-to-date with the Vegas NFL odds with our tracking tools in order to have the latest odds and information to make the most informed NFL betting decisions possible. Before you head to Las Vegas to place a bet on your favorite team, check out the latest Vegas lines for football, basketball and more. Plus, view advance odds on upcoming sporting events. GET THE LATEST LAS VEGAS ODDS. Visit ESPN to view NFL odds, point spreads and moneylines from this week's games. Before you head to Las Vegas to place a bet on your favorite team, check out the latest Vegas lines for football, basketball and more. Plus, view advance odds on upcoming sporting events. GET THE LATEST LAS VEGAS ODDS.

Betting on the Super Bowl is one of the most popular sports bets that fans make every year. Because it is one of the most-watched and bet on events in the country, oddsmakers are very careful where they place their lines. Understanding NFL Super Bowl odds is important for every budding sports bettor.

Sportsbooks use a host of different factors to include in NFL odds. Such as strength of schedule, previous season success, additions on the roster, and past history to show the likelihood to win the big game.

The Chiefs have long been the favorite to take the championship this season, and not much has changed in the lead-up to Super Bowl LV. Sportsbook oddsmakers give Kansas City a 60% shot at winning the game, with average odds sitting at -171. Still, it’s anything but a no-brainer, with the Brady-backed Buccaneers looking to sign off on this tumultuous season with a statement-making win. Books set those odds at +147, giving Tampa Bay a 40% chance at the 2021 Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Current Super Bowl Spread, Moneyline & Over/Under

Open
Sun (2/7) @ 6:30pm ETKCChiefs-141-156-164-161-156-156-161
TBBuccaneers+120+136+140+140+138+138+135
Sun (2/7) @ 6:30pm ETKCChiefs-3.5+100-3.0-110-3.0-110-3.0-110-3.0-114-3.0-109-3.0-110
TBBuccaneers3.5-1203.0-1103.0-1103.0-1103.0-1083.0-1053.0-110
Sun (2/7) @ 6:30pm ETKCChiefso57.5-110o55.5-115o55.5-115o56-110o56-110o56.0-108o56-110
TBBuccaneersu57.5-110u55.5-105u55.5-105u56-110u56-110u56.0-108u56-110

Cheifs vs Buccaneers: Chances of Winning Super Bowl 2021

-166 -164 -156 -156 -161 61.62% -1.04% 8.25% 28.54%
+144 +140 +138 +138 +140 41.67% 0.93% -1.24% 26.25%

Odds are automatically updated once a day.

Best Super Bowl 2021 US Sports Betting Bonuses & Offers

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Football Odds Vegas Super Bowl

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DraftKings Sportsbook – Sign up to claim the double your bet winnings Draftkings Offer

  • Double Your Money Welcome Bonus: First-time depositors at DraftKings Sportsbook will double their Super Bowl bet winnings if either team scores. Maximum bet: $50

Odds To Win The Super Bowl – When Was There The Most Value?

Super Bowl odds are always changing throughout the season. Be sure to check continually for updates as well as use our automated chart to track the changes in 7, 14, and 21-day intervals. The NFL futures odds are updated daily.

An important distinction for teams as the season draws nearly over is looking at future schedules. For instance, the Ravens and Seahawks have some of the easiest schedules in the NFL to end the season. They should come close to winning out and put themselves in a good position to make it to the Super Bowl.

Now that the season matchup is decided, let us see how the odds went in totality. This is to say, when should we have bet on the Chiefs and when should we have bet on the Buccaneers. Keeping track of these odds is crucial during season-long bets because buying stock in these teams (placing bets) is how you increase profitability. There was plenty of value on these teams at points if timed correctly.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2800

You read that correctly, when Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, BetMGM had the Buccaneers at +2800. That means that a $10 dollar bet would net you $280 in profit during the season.

During the season, the Buccaneers fluctuated greatly. However, during week 11, the Buccaneers were as high as +1650 to win the Super Bowl. Phenomenal value that late in the season.

Kansas City Chiefs +600

The Chiefs were an uphill battle when betting the Super Bowl since their week 3 dominating win over the Ravens. The Ravens came in at +500 to win the Super Bowl prior to the season. When the Chiefs came out motivated and dominated the Ravens, they plummeted from +600 to under +400 at some books.

Overall, it would appear that the best time to bet a team to win the Super Bowl is prior to the season. This is easier said than done obviously. However, the Chiefs odds dropped considerably once the season started. Looking at the schedule for a favorite and projecting how many wins they will have is very important.

COVID-19 Affecting Gameplay

The 2021 Super Bowl odds changed dramatically as the nation learned how COVID-19 affected gameplay throughout the season. There have been ups and downs this season for the NFL but it appears like they are going to power through.

The NFL experienced plenty of positive tests this season for COVID-19. They have been proactive in attempting to contact trace to stop the spread and save games. This was a very successful tactic for the NFL.

There were some pitfalls, however, as they contemplated canceling games. At one point, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported via Twitter that the NFL considered adding a Week 18. The details of how week 18 would have played out are still unknown. What we do know, is that the NFL ultimately didn’t need a Week 18.

While the NFL approved new protocols in the case of canceled games, it was clear that they had no interest in doing so. The NFL played the Ravens vs. Steelers game on a Wednesday when it was originally scheduled six days prior, on Thanksgiving.

Furthermore, the Broncos’ entire quarterback room was placed on the COVID-19 list making them ineligible for week 12. Many might forget this but it was the strangest game I remember in the NFL. The result was starting a wide receiver at quarterback and being embarrassed 31-3. The NFL had zero interest in canceling games.

The playoffs were not played in a bubble as the NBA did for the 2020 NBA Finals playoffs. This was rather surprising considering players were consistently testing positive for COVID-19.

The NFL did not hit many snags in the playoffs. There were not any game-changing COVID-19 positive tests. Hopefully, this trend continues and we won’t see any positive tests the week of the Super Bowl.

Where Can I Bet On The Super Bowl Online

If you want to bet on the Super Bowl online you must be located in one of the states that permit legal online sports betting.

The list of states where online sports betting is legalized changes regularly. Each of these states already has live online sportsbooks ready to take Super Bowl futures bets. Most also have retail sportsbooks for local betting.

States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania set the stage for online Super Bowl Betting early on. States like Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Nevada, and West Virginia all launched online sports betting. Michigan and Virginia became the two most recent states to launch online sports betting.

Each state has different sportsbooks that are legally allowed to operate in a given state. For example, BetMGM is legal in New Jersey, Nevada, Tennessee, West Virginia, Indiana, and Colorado. One of the more widely recognized sportsbooks, BetMGM offers a $500 risk-free bet that can be used while betting on the Super Bowl.

Learn more in our Guide To Placing A Sports Bet Online.

How To Choose The Best Sportsbook For Super Bowl Betting

Many fans would be keen to use this risk-free bet for a free shot at the Super Bowl winner at advantageous odds. For instance, if you bet on the Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl before they signed Tom Brady you would get odds near +3000. These are extremely strong odds and gives your bet of $500 the chance to turn into $15,500.

It is important to differentiate which sportsbooks have the best odds. Sharps typically have multiple sportsbooks that they are registered with. They will flip between the sports betting apps to make a decision that is the most profitable. For example, if PointsBet has the Buccaneers at +2900 but BetMGM had the odds at +2600, the seemingly small difference in odds is worth $1,500 in this particular bet.

Each sportsbook is different based on the available odds. Some charge a higher vig and some odds change because big amounts of money are being thrown around. If large wagers are placed on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, their odds will begin to change so the books can adjust to the amount of liability.

How To Place Online Super Bowl Bets

When bettors want to wager on the Super Bowl they must first sign up for a sportsbook. It is important to take advantage of promotions that they may have going. Refer to Bonus.com’s Sportsbook Reviews to get the exclusive promotional codes and find the sportsbook right for you. Then, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Use our Online Sports Betting Guide to find the right sportsbook for you and to take advantage of the best promotions.
  • Step 2: Choose your sportsbook and download the app.
  • Step 3: Go to the sign-up page and register for your account.
  • Step 4: Enter your first and last name as well as your email address and last four 4 of your social security number.
  • Step 5: Deposit money using the promo code found in the review.
  • Step 6: Tap on Sports > NFL> NFL Futures> Super Bowl Odds> Place bet.
  • Step 7: Once your team wins the Super Bowl, sign in to your account options, tap withdrawal, and enjoy your payday!

Where Can I Bet On The Super Bowl In Vegas?

Las Vegas is one of the top cities for betting on sports in the country. Mobile betting is not ideal, however, as fans must go to a casino first before being able to register for a mobile sportsbook.

Vegas is known for its wide array of casinos and resorts that get herds of visitors from across the country. The plethora of options on the Vegas Strip will make the fan experience even more fun whether you are betting on live events already in progress or before gameplay. Going to Las Vegas sportsbooks to place Super Bowl bets is very common.

MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, and Golden Nugget are very popular Las Vegas casinos. The Westgate SuperBook, Caesars Palace, Wynn, South Point, Venetian, and many other Las Vegas casinos host sportsbooks. All of these venues offer numerous ways to bet on the NFL.

How Are Super Bowl Betting Odds Calculated?

Bettors that understand how odds are broken-down and calculated can make bets more educated. There are so many different factors that play into the Super Bowl favorites. More often than not, the best teams are going given the best odds. But this is not always the case.

Before the 2019 season, bookmakers placed the Chiefs at +600 odds and the Patriots at +400 odds. Few will deny that the Chiefs have more talent but the reality is that the Patriots have the pedigree and history to make bettors lean their direction.

Other factors will include the difficulty of their regular season schedule, additions to the roster from the previous year, and of course, the overall talent on the roster. When the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in February of 2020, they were +600 before the start of the season. If you signed up for PointsBet Sportsbook or FanDuel Sportsbook, you were given a $500 risk-free bet. If you placed your risk-free bet on the Chiefs your $500 bet would profit $3,000.

When looking ahead to the odds for this coming season, the Chiefs drafted a running back in the backend of the first round giving them another playmaker at their disposal. The running back from LSU Clyde Edwards-Helaire will not drastically switch the odds.

However, coming off of a Super Bowl-winning season, the Chiefs brought nearly everyone back and added a running back at their weakest offensive position. Bringing the band back together and adding to it is exactly what oddsmakers look for when declaring favorites. The Chiefs are the favorite again this year and are as high as +600 to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

For more resources, check out our NFL Odds Calculator and Sports Betting Edge Table.

NFL Super Bowl LV Odds Breakdown

The Super Bowl is here and the Chiefs have opened up as 3 point favorites. Tom Brady is preparing for his 10th Super Bowl which is unbelievable in and of itself. Generation vs. Generation is in effect, we could be watching a passing of the torch. From Brady… to Mahomes.

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Kansas City Chiefs (-3)

Super Bowl Odds For The Chiefs

  • The Chiefs went down 9-0 early in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills and ended up blowing the Bills out. When tested, the Chiefs are the most explosive team I can remember seeing in all of my years of watching football.
  • The only way to beat the Chiefs is to keep the ball away from Mahomes. Big plays are not going to win you games. A slow, methodical approach to the game is the only hope to beating the Chiefs.
  • The Chiefs opened up as 3 point favorites in the Super Bowl and I would expect them to climb to 3.5. The value is now as a field goal is very generous with this offense that is hardly tested.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3)

Super Bowl Odds For The Buccaneers

  • Tom Brady had 3 touchdown passes in the first half and looked horrific in the second half. However, he is 43 years old and has 2 weeks to prepare for the biggest game of his life. It has been Super Bowl or bust all year, they now have their shot.
  • The Packers were the best team all season long in the NFC. Rodgers was the NFC MVP and had plenty of chances to win the game. The Bucs cannot give out those chances again. Mahomes will make them pay every time.
  • The Buccaneers have the first-ever home Super Bowl. The Super Bowl will take place in Tampa Bay so there is a slight edge to having a home game. The difference should not be too large, there will not be many fans in attendance. The Buccaneers are 3 point underdogs in this one.

NFL Super Bowl Odds And Betting

Moneyline

Also known as a “straight bet” a Moneyline bet just chooses the winner of the game. When betting on the Moneyline, the odds are usually not exact. Typically there are favorites and underdogs. When the Chiefs and 49ers matched up for the Super Bowl, the Chiefs were around -121 and the 49ers +107.

When comparing NFL odds, a plus symbol means that the option is an underdog. The minus symbol means the option is a favorite to win. Moneyline betting odds with a “+” notation are relatively simple to calculate. The +195 line on the Giants, for example, means a $100 wager would net $195 in profit. In other words, the $100 bet would return a total of $295 (the $195 in profit and the original $100 bet).

Point Spreads

Points spread bets or “handicap bets” are when sportsbooks put teams against a number that they must win or lose by. For the Chiefs, they were -1.5 against the 49ers during Super Bowl LIV. Had they won by 1 point and you bet on -1.5, the bet would lose. Conversely, if the 49ers lost by 1 and you had +1.5, your bet would win.

Over/Under (Totals)

Betting on an Over/Under or total points bet means you are not betting on any team. If you bet over you are betting on the combined number of points between the two teams. Bookmakers set a number. Fans need to decide whether the game will go over or under that number. For Super Bowl LIV, bookmakers set the Over/Under at 54.5.

Parlays

When placing a parlay bet, you are betting on two or more things to happen. To get paid on your bet, all of the outcomes must occur in a given parlay. If you were to parlay Chiefs to win and Under 54.5 your bet would win. Conversely, if you bet Chiefs to win and Over 54.5 your bet would lose as the score of Super Bowl LIV was 31-20.

What Is An NFL Futures Bet?

The futures market in sports betting is a huge part of the industry. The possible bet types range from championship winners to divisional winners, and even MVP candidates. Fans can even bet on games that have not happened yet. For instance, when the Saints play the Vikings on Christmas Day, odds could be available weeks before this competitive matchup. These are all examples of an NFL Futures Bet.

Super Bowl Prop Bets

Prop bets are becoming more popular in the sports betting world. And there is no more popular betting event than the Super Bowl. Super Bowl prop bets go hand-in-hand because of the creativity involved and the added excitement for a much-hyped game.

A prop bet is a bet on an occurrence or non-occurrence of an event happening in a game, match, or season.

Super Bowl LV Available Prop Bets

Most Super Bowl prop bets are set once the teams are decided for the matchup. Until then, sportsbooks might get creative about what prop bets they start to offer before that time. Due to how unique this NFL season is, the prop bets could be more creative than ever.

The sportsbooks continue to add interesting prop bets for Super Bowl LV, but here are a few to look out for.

Odds are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Super Bowl MVP Odds

Patrick Mahomes: +100

Tom Brady: +210

Tyreek Hill: +1200

Travis Kelce: +1300

Leonard Fournette: +2500

Clyde Ewards-Helaire: +2800

Super Bowl MVP is one of the most popular bets for the Super Bowl. Seven of the last 10 Super Bowl MVPs have been quarterbacks so this could be a good value if you want a little extra juice on the winning team. These odds have been released and will be updated as more props become available.

Coin Toss Odds

Heads – 103

Tails -103

Betting on Heads or Tails is a popular bet on the Super Bowl. This is a pure 50% bet but some books are still collecting a vig. This bet could be done anywhere anytime so the modest vig from sportsbooks are worth avoiding. It is worth noting that 5 of the last 7 coin tosses have been tails.

To Win Coin Toss And Game Odds

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yes +355 No -500

Kansas City Chiefs: +205 No -265

This bet immediately pops up for me because the parlayed vigorish isn’t very high. This could be another way to get juicier odds on a team that you think will win. The Chiefs are -167 on the moneyline and the Buccaneers are +145 to win.

Total Players To Attempt A Pass

Over 2,5 Players : +165 Under 2.5 Players: -215

I do not see an argument for under at that price. We have seen Tom Brady constantly throwback to a wide receiver throughout his years with the Patriots. Super Bowls are always going to bring out massive amounts of creativity. There should definitely be some trickery in this one.

Final Play Of The Game To Be A Kneel

Yes: -200 No: +159

Unless the game ends in a Hail Mary or last-second field goal attempt, it is hard to imagine the game ending in anything other than a kneel… right?

Past Super Bowl Prop Bets

The WestGate Las Vegas, an oddsmaker, started getting creative with prop bets on the Super Bowl. Now, every sportsbook puts out Super Bowl prop bets. Even websites likeCBS Sports, which does not cover gambling regularly, covers Super Bowl prop bets.

One popular prop bet for the Super Bowl is how long it will take the singer to complete the National Anthem. Leading up to Super Bowl LIV, singer Demi Lovato sang the National Anthem for the Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather fight in 2018. She clocked in at well over 2 minutes for that performance. The expectation would be that she would do the same at the Super Bowl. Shockingly, Demi Lovato went under 2 minutes at +180 for the performance. This bet is offered every year and will assuredly be offered this year too.

NFL Season-Long Prop Bets

In addition to Super Bowl prop bets, many sportsbooks offer season-long NFL prop bets. These can be bets on a particular team or a particular player’s performances and stats over a season. In football, many of these NFL prop bets revolve around injuries.

For example, if at the start of the season, you bet on Dak Prescott to lead the league in passing yards, you are out of luck. He is out for the year and can no longer win the award. It is impossible to bet on who will or won’t get injured. However, it is best to grab a player who is rarely injured that you believe in. Avoid players who are often injured or have soft tissue injuries regularly.

How The NFL Draft Affects Super Bowl Odds

In some cases, the NFL Draft can shift the odds one way or another. For instance, the Chiefs drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the backend of the first round by the Chiefs. He is expected to be a major contributor and able to help the Chiefs backfield. This is rare, however. Teams that are competing for a title usually do not have top draft picks to get an impact player. The Chiefs would have been the favorites to win the Super Bowl preseason whether they had Edwards-Helaire or not.

Strategies For Super Bowl Betting

Football Vegas Odds Week 11

Alternate Lines

Using Alternate Lines can be extremely profitable when it comes to sports betting. When a line comes out from the sportsbook, it can move in many different directions. If you like the Super Bowl line at the beginning of the week, it could be wise to jump on it early with an alternate spread to increase profitability.

Vegas

Fade the Public?

Super Bowl lines move all over the place because it is one of the most bet on sporting events of the year. Fading the Public is a betting strategy that goes with the initial betting line that oddsmakers put out. The idea is to not follow where the public is betting and to always stick with the professionals.

What is Middling in Sports Betting?

A betting strategy that most casual bettors would not know, Middling is a strategy that mandates multiple wagers on a game. It is not perfect but it can be quite effective. The best way to explain middling is with an example.

  • You place a bet on the New York Giants at -4 vs the Dallas Cowboys
  • *The line moves to Giants -7*
  • You then place a second wager on the Cowboys +7.
  • It is called middling because the bettor wants the best of both outcomes. They want the Cowboys to lose by less than 7 and the Giants to win by more than 4.

This will limit your financial risk and allow you to win in multiple different ways.

Betting Odds For The Super Bowl FAQ

Yes, in states with legalized sports betting. Currently, almost two dozen US states allow legal sports betting, with more than a dozen of those states offering legal online sports betting.

Some of the states that offer both land-based and online sportsbooks include Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and more.

Office pools and other types of betting on the Super Bowl outside of legal sportsbooks are technically against the law.

How old do I need to be to bet on the Super Bowl?

In most states, you must be 21 years of age or older to bet on the Super Bowl. In New York, Montana, and Rhode Island you are legally allowed to wager at 18 years or older. They have not legalized online sports betting yet.

The top online sportsbooks includes FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and FOX Bet. Every single sportsbook that you find will offer bets on the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the most bet on sports event of the year so any sportsbook that is not offering the Super Bowl is not a reliable online sports betting site.

Yes. Using any of the legal online sportsbooks found on this page will allow you to place any bet legally and safely. Be careful to only use sportsbooks that are legally licensed or partnered with a legal online casino. They are the most reliable for safe deposits and cashouts.

Do online sportsbooks offer in-game, live betting during the Super Bowl?

Yes. Live betting on the Super Bowl is an extremely popular and fun way to bet. In-game betting is not limited to the spread or moneyline either. You can bet on a host of prop bets and point totals throughout the game as the lines move.

Yes. Many sportsbooks have licenses to hold these types of bets. From the length of the National Anthem to the color of the Gatorade at the end of the game, everything can be bet on during the Super Bowl.

Who is the current Super Bowl odds favorite for 2021?

The current favorite to win Super Bowl LV is the Kansas City Chiefs. They are the favorite to win it after a fantastic season and matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Super Bowl LV will take place on February 7th, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.

Tampa Bay will be the first team to host the Super Bowl and play it on February 7th, 2021. There will be fans at the stadium but a limited number. This makes it a very exclusive event this year.

How NFL Odds, Lines, Point Spreads and Totals Work

When you wager on NFL football it’s important that you understand clearly and concisely how to read odds and how they work. This is basic information that you must know in order to make informed bets.

You’ll need to know how the rotation number, point spread, moneyline and over/under are used and what each means. Each of these terms may be called by another name. The rotation number if often referred to as the number or the rotation mark, moneyline becomes line, point spread is called the spread, and over/under becomes the total. When you come down to it, these are the major terms that can be lumped under the heading odds.

Football Odds Vegas Odds

Bookmakers use odds to even out the bets, getting gamblers to wager on both sides of the line by leveling the playing field. Although there is overall parity in the NFL, there are teams that are haves and others that are have-nots. Indianapolis is still superior to Cincinnati but when they play each other the bookies have to get about half of the bettors to put cash on the Bengals. This covers the sportsbooks ensuring they’ll make a decent amount of cash on just about every game.

Vegas

When you read NFL odds, you’ll first see the date and time of the game on the left and then immediately to the right, there will be two numbers with the name of each team next to one of each numbers. That number is called the rotation number.

Rotation numbers are standard from sportsbook to sportsbook. The number becomes a way to refer to the game and team without mentioning the teams name. It’s a sort of shorthand. Also, the rotation number allows each book to list the games in the same order—numerically. It is, in essence, a way to keep all of the games that are posted each day and throughout the week organized. That makes it easy for the bettor and the bookie.

As an example, let’s consider a matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals. In our scenario, the Bengals are the home team, which means they will be listed last and the Colts, as the visitors, will be on the odds slip first. If Indy’s rotation number is 101, then Cincy’s rotation mark would be 102. When you place a bet live at a Vegas sportsbook or over the phone, you would say the number of the team on which you want to wager and not the name.

Date/TimeRotation NumberTeamPoint SpreadMoneyLineTotal
Sep 15101Indianapolis-10.5-38037.5
1:00102Cincinnati+10.5+25537.5

To the right of the team’s name are the different types of odds. Usually the spread will be first. You may then see the moneyline (although some books list these on another slip) and then, finally, the over/under. Thus, all of the basic bets are in one place, allowing for easy access.

The point spread, which is the most popular type of bet, lists the favored team with a minus sign and a number and the underdog with a plus sign and the same number as the favorite. (If neither team is favored, they will be listed as EVEN or PICK.)

Ndsu Football Vegas Odds

The team that has the minus sign, which is the favorite, has points deducted from its final score, while the dog, with the plus sign, has points added. The favorite must beat the spread, which means they have to win by more than the negative number to pay off. The underdog pays off in two instances—if they win outright or if they lose by less than the spread.

In our scenario, Indianapolis is at -10.5 and Cincinnati at +10.5. If you bet on the Colts at -10.5, which means they are favored, they must win by 11 or more for you to collect on your bet. If you wager on Cincinnati, which is the underdog, your bet pays off if they win the game outright or if they lose by less than 11.

Sometimes with NFL odds you’ll see a spread posted as a whole number. Decimals or fractions are usually utilized to ensure there won’t be a tie. If in our example the spread was reset to 10 with the Colts favored and they win by 10, then the game is considered to be a tie, which in betting terms is called a push. If there is a push all bets are off and the sportsbooks return all wagers back to the bettors.

Many people will say that the odds on a spread bet are even, paying 1:1. But this is not true. The actual odds are 0.90:1. For every dollar bet, you can win 90 cents. When checking out the spread, you’ll usually see a number listed next to each spread. That number, which is your stake, is posted as -110. This number tells you how much you have to bet to win $100. If you put $110 on either team, you stand to win $100. If you bet $11.00, you can win $10.00. Every NFL point spread works this way.

The moneyline is different. First, with the moneyline whichever team wins the game pays out. There’s no giving or taking away of points. How do the bookies even the playing field with the moneyline? They do it by making bettors wager more on the favorite to win less and allowing them to bet less to win more on the dog. The favorite is posted with a minus sign and a number. That number represents the amount of cash that has to be wagered in order to win $100. The underdog, on the other hand, is listed with a plus sign in front of a number. That number shows how much a bettor wins when they bet $100.

Taking the exact same match up and odds above, Indy would be listed at -380 and Cincy at +355. When wagering on the Colts, the favored team, a sports bettor would be required to bet $380 to make $100. If they take the Bengals, who are the underdog, a $100 bet can result in a $355 profit.

By the way, there is a relationship between the spread and the moneyline. The exact relationship can vary a bit depending on the book, but the correlation works in this manner:

Nfl Football Odds Picks

Point SpreadMoney Line
-1-120/+100
-2-130/+110
-2.5-140/+120
-3-155/+135
-3.5-175/+155
-4-200/+170
-4.5-220/+180
-5/-5.5-240/+190
-6-270/+210
-6.5-300/+220
-7-330/+250
-7.5/-8/-8.5-360/+280
-9/-9.5-400/+300
-10-450/+325

When considering NFL odds, the last type of basic bet you’ll see listed is the total or over/under. The over/under is a prediction regarding the total number of points that both teams will score. As it is with the spread, the total is usually posted as a fraction or decimal and the stake is the same as it is with the point spread (-110)

With NFL odds the over/under can vary but usually it’s somewhere between 35 and 47 points. Let’s say in the Colts and Bengals game that the total is posted at 37.5. If Indy scores 27 and Cincy gets 13 points, the total would be at 40 and the over would win. But if the Colts rack up 35, and they shut out the Bengals, the total of 35 would be under.
If, as it is sometimes with the spread, the total is listed as a whole number, the result may be a push. Let’s say the total is 37 and the Colts score 24 and the Bengals 13 for a total of exactly 37 points. If this happens all bets are returned on the push.
If you are able to interpret NFL odds and know what the various terms mean, such as the rotation number, point spread, moneyline and over/under, you’ll have a basic understanding on what you are betting. Prior to wagering make sure you see our NFL odds page, which carries all the latest odds from the top online sportsbooks. Remember that the odds makers are attempting to even the out the bets on each game. The sports bettor has to analyze each game and the odds and make their bets accordingly in order to win cash.