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Sports Betting
On this page
Introduction
I have a ton of stuff on this website about sports betting. Way to much to fit on one page. If you're already familiar with the basics of how to make a sports bet, I invite you to go to skip this page and jump to one of my pages on a specific sport, as follows:
If you're new to sports betting, this page will endeavor to teach you the major types of bets. We'll use the photo above as a reference for some of them. In particular, we'll focus on the Rams/Vikings game, which looks like this:
Oct. 11, 2009 — Vikings Vs. Rams
| 401 | Vikings | -10 | -600 |
| 402 | Rams | 41 | +400 |
In all sports betting, the odds are on a "to one" basis. In other words, you always get your bet back, plus winnings, if you win. So, for example, if you must bet $11 to win $10, then you would present $11 at the window and the writer will give you a ticket worth $21 if it wins.
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Money Line
Money Line bets are simply on whom will win. No point spreads or any other nonsense.
Most of the time, one team will be favored over the other. So, if you bet the underdog, then you're rewarded with more than even money if they win. If you want to bet the favorite, then you will have to risk more than what you stand to win.
Consider game numbers 401 and 402 in the example above. The +400 for the Rams means that a bet on the Rams would pay 4 to 1. The -600 on the Vikings means that if you bet them, then you have to lay 6 to 1.
Examples:
- A $100 on the Rams would win $400.
- A $600 bet on the Vikings would win $100.
Point Spread
The most common way to bet football and basketball is with a point spread. Most sports bettors like a wager that has about a 50% chance to win. Less than that and you'll probably lose. More than that and you won't win much if you do win.
Compare Online NBA Odds
Basketball : Basketball Euroleague
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thu Dec 12th 12pm
Fenerbahce SK AS Monaco |
⇗75.00 |
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Fenerbahce SK holds a strong home advantage, while AS Monaco boasts recent form. Key players and defense strategies will be crucial. Expect a close, competitive match. Monitor injuries closely. |
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Thu Dec 12th 1pm
ALBA Berlin KK Partizan NIS |
⇗13.00 |
⇗12.00 |
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Expect a tightly contested game between ALBA Berlin and KK Partizan. Defensive strategies will be key. Home advantage could favor ALBA, but Partizan's momentum makes them a formidable opponent. |
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Thu Dec 12th 2pm
Saski Baskonia Virtus Segafredo Bologna |
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⇘5.00 |
Saski Baskonia aims for a home advantage win. Virtus Bologna's strong defense could be pivotal. Keep an eye on player injuries for impact on the match outcome. |
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Thu Dec 12th 2pm
Real Madrid Žalgiris |
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Real Madrid's strong home record and Žalgiris' recent struggles suggest Madrid's edge. Key players will impact the game's outcome significantly. |
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Thu Dec 12th 2pm
FC Bayern München Maccabi Tel Aviv |
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Expect a close match between Bayern and Maccabi. Both teams have strong lineups. Watch for Bayern’s defense and Maccabi’s tactical plays. Key players could determine the outcome. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fri Dec 13th 12pm
Anadolu Efes Panathinaikos |
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Anadolu Efes is expected to win due to strong home record. Panathinaikos struggles away. Focus on Efes' shooting guards and Panathinaikos' defensive weaknesses. |
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Fri Dec 13th 2pm
KK Crvena zvezda Olympiacos |
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Crvena Zvezda's home advantage may be key. Olympiacos's strong defense challenges Zvezda's offense. Watch for turnovers. Close game expected. Player form crucial. Betting odds may fluctuate. |
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Fri Dec 13th 2pm
FC Barcelona Bàsquet Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano |
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FC Barcelona Bàsquet's strong home performance may challenge Olimpia Milano's resilience. Expect a competitive game with potential standout plays. Watch key players' impact, especially in clutch moments. |
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Fri Dec 13th 3pm
ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne Paris Basketball |
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ASVEL Lyon is favored due to home advantage and recent form. Paris Basketball's victory would be an upset. Key players and defense will be crucial. |
Basketball : NBA
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thu Dec 12th 7pm
Boston Celtics Detroit Pistons |
-600
⇗200.00 |
⇗5.00 |
⇗5.00 |
Celtics have a strong roster and home advantage. Pistons may struggle unless key players deliver excellent performances. Potential Celtics win, but Pistons can surprise. |
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Thu Dec 12th 7pm
Miami Heat Toronto Raptors |
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-105 (-10)
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Miami Heat's strong home performance faces off against Toronto Raptors’ solid defense. Watch for three-point shooting accuracy. Current injuries could impact game dynamics. Expect a close matchup. |
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Thu Dec 12th 8pm
New Orleans Pelicans Sacramento Kings |
235
|
-105 (7)
|
100 (231.5)
⇗210.00 |
Pelicans focus on strong defense; Kings rely on fast-paced offense. Key players to watch: Zion Williamson and De’Aaron Fox. Home-court advantage plays a role for the Pelicans. |
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Fri Dec 13th 7pm
Cleveland Cavaliers Washington Wizards |
-2400
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The Cavaliers' strong defense faces the Wizards' offense. Player performances and injury updates are crucial for betting decisions. Analyze recent matches for trends and team strategies. |
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Fri Dec 13th 7pm
Philadelphia 76ers Indiana Pacers |
-225
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Philadelphia 76ers have a strong home record, but the Indiana Pacers' recent form is impressive. Key players’ performance will be crucial in determining the game's outcome. |
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Fri Dec 13th 8pm
Memphis Grizzlies Brooklyn Nets |
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Memphis Grizzlies strong at home, while Brooklyn Nets struggle on the road. Key players: Grizzlies' Morant, Nets' Durant. Watch for scoring patterns and defensive matchups. Consider recent form and injuries. |
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Fri Dec 13th 8pm
Minnesota Timberwolves Los Angeles Lakers |
⇗9.00 |
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Consider Timberwolves' improved defense and Lakers' home court advantage. Star performances from LeBron James and Anthony Edwards are key. Watch for bench contributions and shooting efficiency. |
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Fri Dec 13th 8pm
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets |
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Analyze team form, player injuries, and head-to-head stats. Bulls have strong defense; Hornets excel in offense. Check recent performances and betting odds for informed decisions. |
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Fri Dec 13th 9pm
Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Clippers |
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Denver Nuggets rely on Jokic's playmaking against Clippers' defense. Clippers need Kawhi's scoring to win. Nuggets' bench depth may decide the game. |
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Fri Dec 13th 9pm
Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns |
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Consider Suns' strong home record and Jazz's recent form. Watch for player injuries. Betting on the under/over might be wise, as both teams have fluctuating offenses. |
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Fri Dec 13th 10pm
Portland Trail Blazers San Antonio Spurs |
140
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The Portland Trail Blazers' strong offense challenges the Spurs' young roster. Watch for Damian Lillard's performance. Spurs' defense improvement is key. Close game expected with potential for high scoring. |
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Sat Dec 14th 4pm
Milwaukee Bucks Atlanta Hawks |
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-105 (-4)
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Bucks strong at home, Giannis impacts both ends. Hawks rely on Young’s shooting. Defensive rebounding crucial. Consider home edge, but watch injury reports for last-minute changes. |
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Sat Dec 14th 8pm
Oklahoma City Thunder Houston Rockets |
⇘10.00 |
⇗10.00 |
-105 (214.5)
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Oklahoma City Thunder have strong draft picks. Houston Rockets focus on rebuilding. Key players' health is crucial. Expect a close game, with minor odds favoring Oklahoma if they perform consistently. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Wed Dec 25th 12pm
New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs |
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The Knicks have a strong defense this season, while the Spurs struggle on the road. Expect a low-scoring game with the Knicks as favorites. |
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Wed Dec 25th 2pm
Dallas Mavericks Minnesota Timberwolves |
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Consider player matchups, recent performance trends, and home-court advantage. Dallas's offense versus Minnesota's defense could be pivotal. Injuries and bench strength might influence outcomes. |
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Wed Dec 25th 5pm
Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ers |
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The Boston Celtics have a strong lineup but face tough competition from the Philadelphia 76ers. Consider player injuries and recent performance trends for informed betting. |
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Wed Dec 25th 8pm
Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Lakers |
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Warriors' strong perimeter shooting meets Lakers' tough defense. Watch Curry vs. LeBron duel. Lakers' size advantage could be key. Close match expected with high-scoring potential. |
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Wed Dec 25th 10pm
Phoenix Suns Denver Nuggets |
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Consider Denver's strong home record. Suns' depth increases their competitiveness. Check injury reports for impact players. Nuggets' Jokic is a key factor. Look at recent head-to-head performance. |
Basketball : NBA Championship Winner
| Sat May 31st 6pm | Competitor/Team | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics |
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More odds |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
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More odds |
| New York Knicks |
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| Dallas Mavericks |
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| Cleveland Cavaliers |
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| Denver Nuggets |
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| Golden State Warriors |
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| Milwaukee Bucks |
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| Phoenix Suns |
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| Los Angeles Lakers |
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| Minnesota Timberwolves |
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| Memphis Grizzlies |
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| Houston Rockets |
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| Orlando Magic |
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| Philadelphia 76ers |
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| Miami Heat |
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| Los Angeles Clippers |
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| Sacramento Kings |
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| Indiana Pacers |
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| Atlanta Hawks |
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| San Antonio Spurs |
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| New Orleans Pelicans |
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| Chicago Bulls |
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| Utah Jazz |
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| Brooklyn Nets |
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| Charlotte Hornets |
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| Detroit Pistons |
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| Toronto Raptors |
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| Portland Trail Blazers |
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| Washington Wizards |
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More odds |
Basketball : NCAAB
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Thu Dec 12th 7pm
Virginia Cavaliers Bethune-Cookman Wildcats |
⇗500.00 |
-105 (-15.5)
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The Virginia Cavaliers have the upper hand against the Wildcats. Strong defense and a home advantage make them favorites. Consider betting on a Cavaliers win with a cautious point spread. |
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Thu Dec 12th 7pm
Virginia Tech Hokies North Carolina A&T Aggies |
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Analyze team form, player injuries, and head-to-head records. Consider home-court advantage and recent performances. Betting typically favors stronger teams, but upsets can happen. |
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Thu Dec 12th 7pm
The Citadel Bulldogs Campbell Fighting Camels |
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⇗5.00 |
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Consider The Citadel's strong defense and Campbell's recent winning streak. Analyze team stats and injury reports before betting. Home court advantage could play a significant role. |
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Thu Dec 12th 7pm
Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa State Cyclones |
⇗10.00 |
-110 (5.5)
⇗5.00 |
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Watch for Iowa's strong defense against Iowa State's high-scoring offense. Consider home-court advantage. Key players' performances may shift momentum. Betting odds might fluctuate. Study past encounters for trends. |
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Thu Dec 12th 8pm
Arkansas St Red Wolves UT-Arlington Mavericks |
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⇗5.00 |
-110 (157)
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Consider team consistency, player injuries, and recent performance stats. Arkansas St may leverage home advantage, while UT-Arlington seeks to upscale their defense. Monitor betting odds for value. |
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Thu Dec 12th 8pm
Evansville Purple Aces Chattanooga Mocs |
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Chattanooga Mocs are strong favorites against Evansville Purple Aces. Consider betting on the Mocs to win, but analyze the spread. Key players can impact game dynamics significantly. |
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Thu Dec 12th 8pm
Texas Longhorns New Mexico St Aggies |
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⇗1.00 |
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Texas Longhorns are favorites with strong defense. New Mexico St Aggies need improved offense to compete. Watch for Texas' star players to make a difference. |
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Fri Dec 13th 8pm
Nebraska Cornhuskers Indiana Hoosiers |
Analyze team stats, player performance, recent form, head-to-head records. Nebraska may struggle against Indiana. Consider Indiana's home advantage and defensive strengths. Stay updated on injuries and odds. |
To achieve about a 50/50 chance of winning a bet on a lopsided game, like the Rams vs. Vikings above, the sports books have come up with the "point spread."
Before I go on, let me clarify some terminology. Despite it being probably the most popular way to bet, there is no particular term for a bet against the spread. Many people call this a "straight bet." However, this term can also be used, and is printed on tickets for, money line bets, total bets, and any other bet involving just one game. For purposes of this page, I call such bets a "point spread" bet, and invite the rest of the world to adopt this terminology.
A point spread is simply a handicap you give the weaker team, or deduct from the stronger one, depending on how you look at it. For example, if my average scoring in bowling is 120 and I play somebody with an average of 140, then to make a wager fair, I might be given a free 20 points. In this case you would say my point spread is +20.
In the example above you can see a -10 next to the Vikings. That means that the Vikings are favored to win by 10 points. So, if you bet the Vikings you give up ten points and if you bet the Rams you get 10 points.
Usually with point spread bets you risk $11 for every $10 you stand to win.
Examples:
- A $110 bet on the Rams would win $100 if they win the game or lose by less than 10.
- A $110 bet on the Vikings would win $100 if the Vikings win by more than 10.
Both bets will push if the Vikings win by exactly 10.
Total
Total Bets are similar to point spread bets, except the bettor bets on the total points scored. In the example above the bettor bets whether the total points combined between the Vikings and Rams will be over or under 41. Like point spread bets the bettor must generally risk $11 to win $10, for a house edge of 4.54%.
Examples:
- A $55 bet on the under would win $50 if the total points in the game were 40 or less.
- A $55 bet on the over would win $50 if the total points in the game were 42 or less.
- Any bet on the over or under would push if the total points in the game were exactly 41.
Parlays
Parlay bets are a good and popular way to potentially win big with a small wager. The way they work is the bettor picks two or more events, which all must win or push to win the bet. One or more loss will cause the whole parlay bet to lose. In the event of a push, that "leg" of the parlay bet will be ignored and the win will be reduced to whatever it would pay if that selection were never made.
The way the win on parlay bets is calculated is as follows:
- If the player made two or more picks that are at -110 odds, then a parlay table will be used to determine to determine the win for just those events. These tables offer stingy odds, except for the two-leg parlay.
- After that, a mathematical calculation will be used for the other legs, as if the player made each bet independently.
As an example, consider the following parlay bet I made at the Golden Nugget, for the purposes of example only.
Note the parlay above contains four legs at -110 odds and one at +210. The Golden Nugget pays 11 to 1 for a four-leg parlay. The total return of a parlay, including the return of the original bet, is the product of what every bet would be on a for one basis. In this case, $10 × 12 × 3.1 = $372.20.
My advice on parlays is to never include more than two legs at -110 odds.
For more information on parlays, please see my section on parlay bets the NFL. You can also find a survey of Las Vegas parlay tables at Wizard of Vegas.
Compare Online NFL Odds
American Football : NFL
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thu Dec 12th 8pm
San Francisco 49ers Los Angeles Rams |
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49ers' strong defense favored against Rams. Consider underdog Rams if 49ers key injures persist. Monitor weather conditions as it can impact game dynamics significantly. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
Carolina Panthers Dallas Cowboys |
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-110 (43)
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Cowboys favored with strong offense. Panthers face challenges in defense. Key players to watch: Dak Prescott (DAL), Sam Darnold (CAR). Turnover battle crucial. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
Cleveland Browns Kansas City Chiefs |
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-110 (43.5)
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Chiefs are strong at home; Mahomes’ passing is key. Browns’ defense must disrupt timing. Watch for turnovers; they could swing momentum. Betting lines might favor Chiefs. Monitor injury reports. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
New York Giants Baltimore Ravens |
900
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-110 (16.5)
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-110 (42.5)
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Giants' defense strong; Ravens' offense dynamic. Giants' recent form inconsistent. Ravens favored due to superior roster and consistent performance. Close match expected. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
Tennessee Titans Cincinnati Bengals |
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-110 (5)
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Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Key players, injury updates, and recent performance trends are crucial for informed betting. Consider defensive strength and offensive strategies for a comprehensive evaluation. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
Houston Texans Miami Dolphins |
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-110 (46.5)
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Analyzing performance trends: Dolphins projected to dominate Texans. Key variables include passing efficiency and defensive fortitude. Consider Miami's home advantage and Texans' recent struggles against strong defenses. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
Jacksonville Jaguars New York Jets |
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-110 (40.5)
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Jacksonville Jaguars show strong offensive play. New York Jets rely on defense. Expect a close game with potential turnovers. Key players: Lawrence and Wilson. Watch the weather impact. |
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Sun Dec 15th 1pm
New Orleans Saints Washington Commanders |
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-110 (7.5)
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-110 (43.5)
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The Saints' strong defense faces the Commanders' dynamic offense. Key matchup: Saints' pass rush vs. Commanders' O-line. Turnovers could decide the tight contest. |
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Sun Dec 15th 4pm
Detroit Lions Buffalo Bills |
-140
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-110 (-2.5)
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-110 (54.5)
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The Buffalo Bills are favorites against the Detroit Lions. Consider player performance trends and injury reports before betting. Home field could provide an advantage, but Bills' offense is strong. |
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Sun Dec 15th 4pm
Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers |
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-110 (-5)
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-110 (42.5)
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The Eagles have a strong offense, while the Steelers' defense is robust. Key players will impact the game's outcome. Consider both teams' recent performances and injury reports. |
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Sun Dec 15th 4pm
Los Angeles Chargers Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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100 (-3)
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-110 (45.5)
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The Chargers' strong offense faces Buccaneers' tough defense. Watch Herbert’s performance against Buccaneers' secondary. Key: turnovers and QB pressure. Both teams need a win for playoff contention. |
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Sun Dec 15th 4pm
Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts |
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Expect a close game; Broncos' defensive strength will test Colts' offense. Key players include Russell Wilson for Broncos and Jonathan Taylor for Colts. Weather may influence the game's dynamics. |
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Sun Dec 15th 4pm
Arizona Cardinals New England Patriots |
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-110 (-6)
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Consider Patriots' strong defense against Cardinals' inconsistent offense. Weather conditions may favor New England. Key injuries on both sides could impact game outcome. Monitor betting lines closely. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Dec 15th 8pm
Seattle Seahawks Green Bay Packers |
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Seattle's strong defense meets Green Bay's potent offense. Key players could make or break the game, so watch starters' fitness. Weather conditions might also influence play outcomes significantly. |
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Mon Dec 16th 7pm
Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears |
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100 (-7)
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-110 (43.5)
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Minnesota Vikings' strong offense faces Bears' defensive challenges. Watch for turnovers; both teams struggle under pressure. Key players could swing odds. Weather may impact game dynamics. Underdogs have potential. |
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Mon Dec 16th 7pm
Las Vegas Raiders Atlanta Falcons |
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The Raiders' strong offense meets the Falcons' shaky defense. Expect a high-scoring game with potential turnovers. Betting on the over could be wise. |
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Thu Dec 19th 8pm
Los Angeles Chargers Denver Broncos |
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Chargers strong passing game vs Broncos solid defense. Broncos struggle in offense, home advantage. Watch Herbert's performance, injuries impact both teams. Consider Chargers' recent form, betting within responsible limits. |
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Sat Dec 21st 1pm
Kansas City Chiefs Houston Texans |
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-105 (-3.5)
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Kansas City Chiefs possess a stronger roster and home advantage, making them favorites against Houston Texans, despite Texans' potential for an upset. |
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Sat Dec 21st 4pm
Baltimore Ravens Pittsburgh Steelers |
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-110 (46.5)
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Ravens and Steelers rivalry is intense. Ravens’ offense is strong but inconsistent. Steelers' defense is tough. Key factors: turnovers and home-field advantage. Both teams have passionate fanbases. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Carolina Panthers Arizona Cardinals |
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-110 (3.5)
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-110 (46.5)
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Expect an intense matchup. Panthers aim to dominate with McCaffrey, while Cardinals rely on Murray's agility. Defensive strategies will be crucial. Watch for turnovers impacting game flow. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Atlanta Falcons New York Giants |
-240
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-110 (-8.5)
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-110 (41.5)
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The Falcons' offense is strong, but their defense struggles. Giants show solid defense, but lack offensive consistency. Look for turnovers and QB performance to be key factors. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Buffalo Bills New England Patriots |
-430
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-110 (-13)
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-110 (46.5)
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Buffalo's strong offense faces Patriots' resilient defense. Key players: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs vs. Mac Jones, Matthew Judon. Consider home advantage, weather, and recent form for placing bets. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Chicago Bears Detroit Lions |
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-110 (48)
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The Bears' defense struggles against high-powered offenses. Lions have a potent passing game, making them favored. Weather conditions could influence play. Monitor any injuries for impact on betting lines. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans |
-205
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-105 (-4.5)
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-110 (42)
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Colts and Titans have a strong rivalry. Colts excel in passing; Titans dominate the ground game. Key matchup: Colts’ defense vs. Derrick Henry. Weather could impact passing plays. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
New York Jets Los Angeles Rams |
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-110 (46.5)
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Jets rely on solid defense; Rams boast a stronger offense. Watch for quarterback matchups. Possible low-scoring game. Special teams could decide. Bet cautiously. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Washington Commanders Philadelphia Eagles |
158
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-110 (48)
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Eagles are favored with strong offense. Commanders need defensive strategy. Key player performance could shift odds. Watch for turnovers and special teams impact. Betting line fluctuates with injuries. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns |
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-105 (-6)
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Consider the Bengals' strong offense against the Browns' defense. Check injury reports. Weather could affect gameplay. Recent head-to-head statistics and home-field advantage are pivotal for betting decisions. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Seattle Seahawks Minnesota Vikings |
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-110 (1.5)
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-110 (45.5)
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Seahawks' strong offense clashes with Vikings' tight defense. Key players: Wilson, Cook. Home advantage favors Vikings. Monitor weather conditions. Bet cautiously, as both teams show unpredictable performances. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Las Vegas Raiders Jacksonville Jaguars |
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-110 (-1)
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-110 (39.5)
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Las Vegas Raiders boast a strong offense while Jaguars' defense shows resilience. Monitor line movement and injury reports. Raiders slightly favored, expect a close game with potential high scoring. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Miami Dolphins San Francisco 49ers |
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-105 (-1.5)
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-110 (49)
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The Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers face off in a close matchup. Evaluate recent performance, injuries, and weather conditions before placing your bets. Home advantage favors the 49ers. |
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Dec 22nd 8pm
Dallas Cowboys Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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-110 (3.5)
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-110 (47)
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Cowboys' strong offense faces Buccaneers' solid defense. Key players and turnovers will likely decide the game's outcome. Watch for momentum shifts in crucial moments. |
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Mon Dec 23rd 8pm
Green Bay Packers New Orleans Saints |
-240
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-110 (42)
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Green Bay Packers may face challenges against New Orleans Saints due to strong Saints defense. Key players to watch: Aaron Rodgers and Alvin Kamara. Weather could impact play strategies. |
Teasers
Teasers are similar to parlays except the point spread on each game moves a certain number of points in the player's favor. In football the player gets 6 to 7 points, and in basketball, 4 to 5 points. The player pays for this in the form of much lower winnings. For example, if the Vikings were part of a 6-point teaser, then they would only need to win by more than 4 points to cover. If the Rams were part of a teaser, they could win, or lose by less than 16, and cover.
More information:
- Teaser bets in the NFL.
- Vegas sports book comparison for the teaser odds at all the Vegas sports book groups.
Buying Half a Point
In football and basketball, the straight bet player has the option to move the point spread 1/2 point to his advantage. The cost of this half point is laying 120, as opposed to 110. Not all sports books allow this, and if they do, they usually don't let you buy off of the common three-point margin of victory in football.
Futures
Futures are a bet on who will win the championship when there are still more than two possible teams to bet on. The house edge on futures varies substantially from one sports book to another. However, in general, they are a sucker bet.
More information:
- For information on who does offer the best futures in Las Vegas visit my sports betting appendix 5.
- You can also use my sports futures calculator to calculate the overall house edge of a set of futures bets.
Propositions
Often big games will have "proposition" bets on things not directly related to the final score of the game. These are usually abbreviated to "prop" bets. For example, in football whether or not the first score will be a touchdown. In baseball whether a run will be scored in the first inning. In hockey/soccer, whether anybody will score a hat trick. The odds on these are expressed like point spread bets. For example, as I write this the Golden Nugget has the following proposition bet on Super Bowl 49:
Will there be a safety in the game?
Yes: +500
No: -700
This means a bet on the "yes" pays 5 to 1, and on the "no" pays 1 to 7.
More information:
Basic Strategy
I could talk all day about betting sports but I know some of my readers just want it simplified to nice sound bites. For them, here is my basic strategy for sports betting:
- Money lines: Bet underdogs.
- Point spread bets: Bet underdogs.
- Totals: Bet unders.
- Parlays: Bet off the board as opposed to the cards. Either do a three-team parlay or mix in one event that doesn't pay -110 odds.
- Teasers: Unless you know to cross the key numbers (namely 3 and 7 in football), avoid teasers completely.
- Futures: Avoid them, as they carry a high house edge of about 30%. If you must bet them, for entertainment reasons, do so in strict moderation.
- Propositions: Bet unders and things not to happen.
- All bets: Shop around. Lines can vary from one sports book to another. It pays to compare lines for extra points or better odds.
Internal Links
- Betting the NFL In-depth look at betting professional football.
- Betting College Football In-depth look at betting college football.
- Parlay Bets in the NFL
- Teaser Bets in the NFL
- Pleaser Bets in the NFL
- Betting the MLB In-depth look at betting professional baseball.
- Betting the NBA In-depth look at betting professional basketball.
- Appendix 1 Comparative study on who has the best lines in Vegas.
- Appendix 2 Various topics in sports betting.
- Appendix 3 List of Las Vegas sports book families.
- Appendix 4 Fair prices to buy and sell points in the NFL.
- Appendix 5 Explores sports futures in greater depth.
- Appendix 6 Lost and expired tickets.
- Appendix 7 Companion to appendix 1, showing NFL money line pairs from several Internet sportbooks.
- Appendix 8 Comparative study on who has the best lines offshore.
- Appendix 9 Companion to appendix 8, showing NFL money line pairs from offshore sportbooks.
- Appendix 11 College football money lines.
- Total number of kickoffs in Super Bowl 43. Were there 9 or 10?
- Vegas sports book comparison at WizardOfVegas.com. Who offers what odds on parlays and teasers, as well as rebate percentages.
- NFL proposition bet calculator: The fair line on lots of common props, given the spread the total.
- Sports parlay calculator: To see what an off-the-board parlay pays, that isn't all -110 legs.
- Straight bet calculator: Calculate the house edge of any straight (two outcome) bet.
- Sports futures calculator: Calculate the house edge of a set of futures bets.
Sports Book Reviews
- 18bet
- 1xbet
- 22Bet
- 888sport
- bet-at-home
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- Betfred Sportsbook
- Betiton Sport
- betObet Sports
- BetOnline Sportsbook
- BetOwi
- BetRegal
- Betsson
- BetUS
- Bodog Sportsbook
- BookMaker Sportsbook
- Bovada
- CampeonBet
- CloudBet
- CobraBet
- Everygame Sports
- Gbets
- GTbets
- Horse Racing Betting
- LeoVegas
- Linesmaker - No new players
- LV Bet
- Melbet Sports
- Mr.Play Sports
- MyBookie
- Neobet Sports
- OddsMaker
- Paddy Power Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sports
- Ruby Bet
- Sapphirebet
- Shangri La Live Sportsbook
- Sports Betting Online
- SportsBet
- Sportsbetting
- Sportsbook.ag - No new players
- SuperBoss Sports
- TigerGaming Sports
- Titanbet
- Top Bet
- Unibet Sports
- WagerWeb
- William Hill
Outside Links
- For a simplified explanation of sports betting, please visit my companion site Wizard of Vegas.
- My sports betting advice in Spanish at LasApuestas.mx.