Betting Sides in Football Odds

A football odds popular and common myth is that the NFL odds are based on the actual merits of the teams. Nothing could be further from the truth. Football odds are the most popular on sides, especially in the NFL. Betting on sides is where a gambler will either lay points with the favorite in football odds or take points with the underdog. Let’s look at some NFL odds examples.

Football odds in the NFL might read Minnesota Vikings -3, Green Bay Packers +3. That would mean if you wager on the Vikings in football odds they would have to win the game by more than 3 points for your wager to win. If you bet on the Packers in NFL odds they would have to win the game outright or lose the game by less than three points for your wager to win versus the football odds. If Minnesota won by exactly three points then all wagers would be refunded. For example, if you wanted to win $100 on the Vikings you would lay out $110 to win $100 or any amount with the 11/10 equivalent. If the Vikings win, you would get your original betting sides $110 back plus the $100 for winning the football odds wager. If the Vikings lost you would lose the $110.

Many factors go into the dynamics of football odds. There are several factors beginning with home field. It is generally agreed that home field is worth three points in football odds; at least that is what people believe. From there, other factors such as recent performance, public reputation, injuries, weather, player matchups, coaching comparisons, and many other intangibles are factored into the football odds. The NFL odds are ultimately based on the perception of the mainstream gambling public and are set in anticipation of what the masses are going to do with their wagers. The ultimate goal of the sportsbook is either to have equal action on both sides of the game but oftentimes they will set up football odds trying to attract action to one side or another. It is these “too good to be true” football odds that you have to be careful of each season.