If you’re new to the world of American football betting, you might be confused by the numbers and symbols used in odds. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Understanding betting odds is the first step toward making smart and informed bets.
At Shreenath365, we’re here to simplify things for beginners. In this guide, we’ll break down how to read American football betting odds, explain the different formats, and show you how to calculate potential winnings.
📊 What Are Betting Odds?
Betting odds represent the likelihood of an outcome and determine how much you can win if your bet is successful. In American football, odds are most commonly displayed in three ways:
- Moneyline Odds
- Point Spread
- Over/Under (Totals)
Let’s take a closer look at each.
💵 1. Understanding Moneyline Odds
Moneyline betting is the simplest form—you’re just betting on which team will win the game.
Example:
Dallas Cowboys: -150
New York Giants: +130
- A minus (-) sign means the team is favored to win.
- A plus (+) sign means the team is the underdog.
What It Means:
- -150: You need to bet ₹150 to win ₹100 if the Cowboys win.
- +130: You’ll win ₹130 for every ₹100 you bet on the Giants if they win.
💡 The bigger the minus, the more favored the team is. The bigger the plus, the riskier the bet—but with higher rewards.
🏈 2. Point Spread Betting
In American football, the point spread makes the matchup more even from a betting perspective.
Example:
Kansas City Chiefs -7.5
Miami Dolphins +7.5
- The Chiefs must win by more than 7.5 points for your bet to win.
- The Dolphins can lose by 7 or less, or win outright, for your bet to win.
📌 Half-points (.5) prevent ties and ensure a clear win/loss on your bet.
📉 3. Over/Under (Totals)
Here, you’re betting on the total number of points scored by both teams.
Example:
Over 48.5
Under 48.5
- Over: You win if the total points scored is 49 or more.
- Under: You win if the total is 48 or fewer.
🔍 Great for bettors who don’t want to pick a team but want to bet based on game tempo or team strength.
💡 Quick Tips for Beginners
- ✅ Always read team news, injury reports, and stats before betting.
- ✅ Avoid betting purely based on emotion or favoritism.
- ✅ Understand that the odds change based on betting trends and team performance.
- ✅ Use bankroll management—set a budget and stick to it.
🔢 How to Calculate Your Winnings
To calculate your payout:
For positive odds (+):
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Winnings = (Bet Amount × Odds) / 100
Example: ₹1,000 on +150 → ₹1,500 profit
For negative odds (−):
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Winnings = (100 × Bet Amount) / Odds
Example: ₹1,500 on -150 → ₹1,000 profit
Final Thoughts
Learning to read American football betting odds is the foundation for smarter, more strategic betting. While it may seem confusing at first, with practice and proper research, you’ll be placing bets with confidence in no time.
At Shreenath365, we’re here to help you decode the betting world one step at a time. Stay tuned for more beginner-friendly guides, tips, and expert insights on sports betting!