Do you live in Illinois, Iowa, or one of the other U.S. states that just legalized sports betting?
If so, there’s a good chance that the first sports bets you ever place will be made on NFL games during the upcoming season. And you’re in luck because there’s nothing quite as exciting as spending Sunday afternoons in the fall wagering on NFL games.
Before you put down your first NFL bet, though, there are some NFL sports betting tips that you should keep in mind. Here are five tips that will help first-time bettors get off to a strong start when wagering on pro football games.
1. Learn About the Different Types of NFL Bets
Many first-time sports bettors mistakenly believe that betting on one team to beat another team is the only type of bet that they can make. But that couldn’t be further from the truth!
There are a variety of different types of NFL bets that you can make. Some of these bets include:
- Point spread bets
- Moneyline bets
- Total bets
- Prop bets
Having so many different types of bets is what makes betting on the NFL so much fun. But it’s a good idea to educate yourself about each type of bet to figure out which ones you like best.
2. Make Sure You Research Bets Ahead of Time
If you’re going to turn yourself into a successful NFL bettor, you’re going to need to think about which teams you’re going to bet on long before NFL games kick off at 1 p.m. on Sundays.
In the days leading up to Sunday, you should research, research, and then research some more so that you’re prepared to make the best possible picks. Get into the habit of digging into NFL matchups on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the season.
Do more than just look at the records of the two teams that are playing, too. You should evaluate everything from how each of the two teams has played at home versus on the road to how the forecast for a game could affect the outcome.
3. Keep Up With the Latest NFL Betting Trends
In addition to starting your research on NFL games early on in the week, you should also monitor the point spreads and moneylines on games throughout the week.
Oftentimes, point spreads and moneylines will change, especially if the so-called “sharps” jump all over specific teams. You can get a better feel for who your fellow bettors are going to be betting on by looking at the lines for games during the week and trying to find trends.
4. Try Not to Chase Your NFL Losses
The NFL schedule follows the same pattern every Sunday. There is a large slate of games at 1 p.m., a slightly smaller slate of games at 4 p.m., and one nationally-televised game at 8:30 p.m.
There will be times when you lose money during the 1 p.m. slate and lose more during the 4 p.m. slate. And when it happens, you might be tempted to try and chase your losses by betting heavy on the 8:30 p.m. game.
Do not do this! You’re better off accepting the fact that you didn’t have your best day as opposed to trying to get your money back at night. Of all the NFL sports betting tips listed here, this one could benefit you the most right away.
5. Consider Purchasing Picks for NFL Games
Trying to determine which NFL teams to bet on can be a little overwhelming at first for new sports bettors. If you feel like you’re in over your head, there’s nothing wrong with turning to the pros for help.
There are professional handicappers who offer NFL picks to bettors. You’ll feel more confident in your picks when you have someone who knows what they’re doing on your side.
Use These NFL Sports Betting Tips to Turn a Profit
All of these NFL sports betting tips will help put you in the best position to win when you start betting on the NFL.
Remember them when you step up to the window at a sportsbook or log in to an online sportsbook to place your first NFL bet. They can help guide you to long-term success and allow you to enjoy yourself along the way.
We can also help guide you if you need a hand. Purchase our 5 Star & Platinum Combination Package for the NFL season to increase your chances of winning NFL bets.