And it’s never been easier to place bets regardless of your football knowledge and sports betting expertise. Here are the most common football bets and how to bet on football odds:

Spread: Will a team win or lose by a certain number of points?

If you’re betting against the spread (ATS), you’re betting for either the favorite to win by a certain number of points (i.e., the spread) or an underdog to win outright or keep it within a certain number of points. If a team wins (or loses) by the spread, it’s a push.

For example: If the Cincinnati Bengals are a 2.5-point favorite against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals must win by at least three points for a Bengals’ spread bet to cash. Alternatively, the Steelers must lose by two or fewer points (or win the game) for a Steelers’ spread bet to cash.

Moneyline: Who will win the game?

Place your online football bet on the winner of the game regardless of the score.

For example: If the Minnesota Vikings are a moneyline favorite of -150 vs. the Chicago Bears, Minnesota must win the game for a Vikings’ moneyline bet to cash. The odds determine the payout, which is automatically calculated upon adding a bet and stake to your bet slip.

Over/Under Totals: Will two teams combine for more (over) or fewer (under) points than the over/under game total?

The over/under total is the total number of points scored by both teams. If they combine for the exact game total, it’s a push.

For example: If the over/under total for a Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game is 47.5, the two teams must combine for 47 or fewer points for an “under” bet to cash or 48 or more points for an “over” bet to cash.

Half and Quarter: How many points will be scored in one quarter? Which team will lead at halftime?

You can place various bets (e.g., spread or moneyline) on one half or one quarter of a game.

For example: If Alabama is a 1.5-point first-half favorite against Georgia, the Crimson Tide must be leading by at least two points at halftime.

Prop Bets: Bet on how the first points are scored, the distance of the longest touchdown, or the player with the most rushing yards in one game.

There are dozens of team and player prop bets for each game.

For example: If Jared Goff’s over/under passing yardage total is 255.5 against the San Francisco 49ers, Goff must throw for at least 256 yards for “over” bets to cash.

Futures: You can place bets on NFL MVP odds, college football national championship odds, or other individual and team outcomes.

For example: If you bet on Michigan to make the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines must earn a spot in the four-team field for a bet to cash.

Parlays: Parlays allow you to combine multiple bets into one wager. If all the bets hit, the potential payout is much higher than if you placed individual bets.

For example: Instead of — or in addition to — placing two separate bets on the New York Giants’ moneyline and the Carolina Panthers’ spread, you could combine the bets into a parlay for a higher potential payout.

Live Football Betting

Live betting has exploded in popularity as fans get closer to the action with a live NFL bet. From the opening kickoff through the final whistle, you can place live bets on any game.

Whether you’re watching Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes on TV from your living room, Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles from a bar, or an SEC game from a BetMGM Sportsbook in Las Vegas, you can place in-game wagers.

It’s a unique chance to hedge against a futures bet, increase a pregame position, place a new bet, or just have fun!

How to Bet on Football Odds

When you’re browsing online odds at the sportsbook, pro football betting odds are easy to understand. Here’s an example of a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles:

Spread: Eagles -3.5 (-110), Steelers -3.5, (+110)

Moneyline: Steelers -130, Eagles +110

Over/Under Total: 47.5 (Over -110, Under -110)

If you bet on A.J. Brown and the Eagles at -3.5, they must win by at least four points for your bet to cash.

If you bet on Najee Harris and the Steelers at +3.5, they must lose by three points or fewer, which includes beating the Eagles outright.

As for the odds of -110 (aka the vig or juice), it shows how much you win if your bet cashes. If, for example, you win a $100 bet for the Steelers to cover, your payout is $190.91. Don’t worry about calculating odds or potential payouts; BetMGM automatically calculates them on your bet slip.

If you place a moneyline bet, you’re picking that team to win with a potential payout determined by the odds. The margin of victory is irrelevant.

And an over/under total bet is a wager placed on the combined number of points scored by both teams. If the final score is 24-20, the under hits. If the final score is 31-20, the over hits.

Football Parlays

BetMGM is the King of Sportsbooks and the king of football parlays.

You can build parlays by combining multiple wagers, aka legs, into one bet. In doing so, you increase the excitement and importance of each pass, touchdown, and fumble, and raise the potential payout.

Instead of – or in addition to – placing several individual bets on college football and NFL games, you can combine them into one wager.

Visit the sportsbook today to start building your parlays, including Same Game Parlays!