Guide to Live Betting on the NFL

NFL games are fast and furious, which make them ideal for live betting, especially when live bets are so easy to place. In fact, when it comes to betting, many see NFL games as perfect candidates for a wager. 

On its website, the NFL, reporting figures from the American Gaming Association, informed visitors in 2021 that more than 45 million Americans had said they planned to bet on NFL games this year. There are many different types of bets these punters lay down, however, we are here today for a rather engaging type of bet.

Below is a look at some of the different live bets you can place on the NFL, plus a discussion of tactics you can use for more successful live betting.

The different types of live bets you can make

Live betting offers a range of advantages, the main one being that you can follow the action and place the right bet at the right time. If you’re on the ball, you can also wager on a certain income before the sportsbook has time to change the odds. Here are some of the live bets you can make:

Money line

A money line bet is a straightforward bet on who you think will win the game. As the game goes on, you’ll see the money line change. The advantage of this type of bet is that you can place more than one bet as the game twists and turns. 

Point spreads

The point spread is the advantage or disadvantage the sportsbooks give to the opposing teams and the number is based on the margin of their victory or defeat within a specific timeframe. One of the advantages of point spread betting is that you’re betting against the spread, rather than on a straight winner, and it’s easier for an underdog to come through for you. You can also win more money because of this.

Second half

The second half line bet is an excellent way to mitigate risk. Suppose you’ve already laid your wager on the favourite, but now the underdog looks like it’s going to fight its way back and reduce the difference between the two teams. Your second half bet could be on the underdog, guaranteeing that one of your bets will win. 

Totals

This is a straightforward bet. You’re simply betting on whether the total number of points will reach a certain number or not, or fall short of it. Totals betting is a popular type of bet and keeps you in suspense until the end. The advantage of a totals bet is that you can bet on anything that’s countable, providing you with lots of flexibility in what you can bet on.

Parlays

You don’t have to bet on just one live game, however. If there’s more than one game being played, you can live bet on several at once, all as part of the same bet. If one bet fails, however, you lose the whole bet. It’s a risky type of bet but will pay handsomely if it comes off.

Tips for live betting on the NFL

Naturally, when you place a live bet, you want to win (or maybe you’re just in it for the excitement!). Here are some tips for live betting on the NFL:

Watch the game

This may sound elementary, but it needs to be said. You can’t tell if a team is mounting a comeback and make a live wager if you’re not actually following the game as it happens. If you can’t follow the game, place your bet before it starts.

Decide upon your strategy

One of the most important things you can do is determine your strategy before the game. Decide which bets you’re going to focus on. The common ones are the money line, the point spread and the totals. If you focus on multiple aspects of the game, it will be harder for you to spot the signs or events that will help you to gain an advantage when you place your bet. 

Know the team’s best quarters

Before the game, research into the teams’ games and see if you can identify a quarter in which they consistently seem to perform better in some way. This is useful knowledge you can use to your advantage when making a bet.

The NFL presents some amazing opportunities for live betting, and players can mix things up by betting on different aspects rather than just straight outcomes if they wish. Following the tips above will also help you to bet more successfully. Why not give them a try and see how they work for you?