Football Betting Basics: Spreads, Moneylines & Totals Explained

The three core football bet types are the point spread, the moneyline, and the over/under total — and each one asks you a slightly different question about the game. Once you understand how the odds work on each, the rest of football betting basics fall into place quickly.

What does -110 mean, and why does it show up everywhere?

Before anything else, you need to know what -110 means, because you'll see it constantly. It means you must risk $110 to profit $100. That extra $10 is the sportsbook's commission — called the vig or juice — and it's how legal books make money regardless of which side wins. Think of it as a 10% service fee baked into the price.

If you bet $55, your profit is $50. If you bet $22, your profit is $20. The ratio stays the same: risk $11 for every $10 you want to win.

How does the point spread work?

The spread is the most common football wager. Oddsmakers set a margin — say -6.5 for the favorite — meaning that team must win by 7 or more points for a spread bet on them to pay out. The underdog is listed at +6.5 and wins the bet by losing by 6 or fewer, or by winning outright. Both sides usually carry -110 odds.

If the favorite wins by exactly the spread (possible only on whole-number lines), the bet is a push and your stake is refunded. For a full walkthrough with examples, see what is a point spread and how NFL spread betting works step by step.

What is a moneyline bet in football?

A moneyline bet ignores the margin entirely — you're simply picking who wins the game. The trade-off is that favorites carry negative odds and underdogs carry positive odds, and those numbers shift based on how lopsided the matchup is.

A -160 favorite requires a $160 bet to profit $100. A +140 underdog pays $140 profit on a $100 bet. The bigger the perceived gap between teams, the steeper those numbers get — which is why sharp bettors often find more value on the underdog side of big spreads. For a side-by-side comparison of when each approach makes more sense, read moneyline vs point spread in NFL betting.

How does the over/under total work?

The sportsbook posts a combined-score number for the game — say 47.5 — and you bet whether both teams will combine to score over or under that figure. All points scored in overtime count. Standard odds are -110 on both sides, and a push is impossible when the total ends in .5.

Totals are popular because you don't have to pick a winner; you're betting on the flow of the game instead. For a deeper look at how oddsmakers set that number and how to read line movement, visit how over/under totals work in NFL betting.

Which bet type should a beginner start with?

Most beginners find the spread the easiest starting point because -110 on both sides keeps the math predictable. The moneyline is simpler in concept — just pick a winner — but the payouts require more care to evaluate. Totals split the difference: easy to understand, and they let you watch both teams without rooting for one side.

All three form the foundation you need before moving on to parlays or teasers. If you're still at square one, the beginner's complete guide to how to bet on football games walks through the full process from picking a legal sportsbook to placing your first wager. You can also check legal NFL sportsbooks by state to confirm which licensed books are available where you live — sports betting is currently legal in 39 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, but availability varies.

Must be 21+ (18+ in some states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.