1. The Three Main Bet Types
Moneyline (Who will win?)
You are simply picking the winner of the game. The score doesn't matter.
Chiefs (-150)vsBills (+130)
Here, you must bet $150 on the Chiefs to win $100. Or bet $100 on the Bills to win $130.
The Spread (Handicap)
Betting on the margin of victory. The favorite "gives" points, the underdog "gets" points.
Chiefs -3.5vsBills +3.5
Chiefs must win by 4 or more. Bills must win outright OR lose by 3 or less.
Total (Over/Under)
Betting on the combined score of both teams.
Over 48.5|Under 48.5
If the final score is 27-20 (47 points), the UNDER wins.
2. How to Read Odds
American odds center around the number 100.
- -110Negative Number (Favorite): This is how much you must bet to win $100.
Ex: -110 means bet $110 to win $100. - +150Positive Number (Underdog): This is how much you win if you bet $100.
Ex: +150 means bet $100 to win $150.
3. Golden Rules for Beginners
DO
- Set a strict budget before you start.
- Shop for the best lines across apps.
- Track every single bet you place.
DON'T
- Never chase losses with bigger bets.
- Don't bet on your favorite team (emotional bias).
- Avoid "massive" 10-leg parlays.