Top 6 NFL Betting Tips for Beginners

As the 2023 NFL season winds down, many fans are looking to get into sports betting for the first time, especially with the Super Bowl approaching. Wagering on professional football, including keeping an eye on FanDuel Super Bowl betting odds, can be both exciting and profitable if done properly. However, for beginners, knowing where to start and what strategies to use can be overwhelming.

This article will provide six key tips to help new bettors make smart wagers and avoid common mistakes. Whether you're betting with friends or using an online sportsbook, following these guidelines will set you up for success as you enter the world of NFL betting.

Know the Different Types of Bets

When looking at NFL odds, you'll discover far more available wagers than just picking which team will win. Different wager types carry different levels of risk and reward. As a beginner, it's wise to stick to basic wagers like the Moneyline, point spread, and game total rather than complicated proposition bets. Getting a handle on these more straightforward bets will provide a solid foundation before you branch out.

Understanding NFL Betting Terminology

For beginners, comprehending the terminology used in NFL betting is crucial to making informed wagers. Some key terms include:

●      Spread: The predicted margin of victory set by oddsmakers. The favored team must win by more than this margin to "cover the spread." Any other result means the underdog covers.

●      Moneyline: A bet on which team will win outright, regardless of margin. Each team is assigned odds that dictate potential payout.

●      Over/Under: The total combined points scored set by oddsmakers. Here, you wager whether teams will score over or under this number.

●      Push: When a spread bet lands exactly on the set number (i.e. a 7-point favorite wins by 7 points), resulting in a tie where no money exchanges hands.

Grasping these common concepts provides a foundation to interpret more complex NFL betting lines and make strategic picks. Resources like betting guides and sportsbook representatives can further demystify the terminology.

Shop For the Best Lines

Lines and odds can vary significantly between sportsbooks. Before locking in a wager, it pays to have accounts at multiple sportsbooks so you can compare the numbers and always get the best price. A half-point difference in the spread or over/under can end up deciding whether you win or lose your bet. Sites like FanDuel offer competitive odds across all sports.

Manage Your Bankroll

Having a betting budget and managing your bankroll is vital. Never wager more money than you can comfortably afford to lose. Similarly, fight the urge to chase losses by doubling down after you lose a wager. This can lead to a rapid depletion of your bankroll. NFL betting is a marathon, not a sprint. Maintaining discipline around your overall bankroll is key to long-term success. A good guideline is risking no more than 1-3% of your bankroll on each wager.

Know When to Bet and When to Pass

Part of bankroll management is being selective and only betting when you have a clear edge. If you don't love a matchup or don't fully understand why a line is set where it is, don't be afraid to simply pass and wait for a better opportunity. Remember, there are 272 regular season NFL games and the all-important postseason culminating in the Super Bowl. You don’t have to bet every game.

Making informed Super Bowl predictions is a crucial aspect of successful NFL betting. So, there's no need to force bets that don't meet your criteria. Patience pays off, especially when approaching the season's highlight.

Use Trusted Resources to Your Advantage

No one becomes an expert NFL bettor overnight. Lean on trusted sites and experts to help sharpen your betting process. Whether it's using advanced statistics sites to dig into team trends or following proven handicappers on social media, the information is out there. The key is finding reliable sources that approach betting analytically rather than just hunches. Apply what you learn to make more intelligent wagers.

Conclusion

Approaching NFL betting with discipline, patience, and the right process separates recreational bettors from profitable ones. Keeping these five tips in mind speeds up the learning curve exponentially. While betting on football comes with inherent risks, following sound betting fundamentals right from the start will set you up to beat the odds this season.