The NFL is one of the biggest and most exciting sports leagues in the world, where some of the greatest athletes go head-to-head over the course of the season. The action culminates in the Super Bowl, which is watched by millions of people from around the globe. Every season, loads of NFL fans also enjoy betting on games. By joining a trusted online sportsbook, they can place real money wagers on game outcomes.
NFL betting is really simple to get into, thanks to online sportsbooks. However, you need to know what you’re doing if you want to make any money. It’s important to note that there are no sure ways to guarantee you’ll win your bets, but there are tips and strategies you can follow to improve your chances.
Bankroll Management
Perhaps the most important step to take when betting on any sport, including the NFL, is to manage your bankroll. This is the amount of money you have available to bet with, and most serious bettors assign themselves a budget each month.
In general, your bankroll should be money that you’re completely fine with losing. If you need it to pay your bills, or you’d feel upset if you lost it all, you shouldn’t be betting on it. Once you’ve set your bankroll, use deposit limits on your sportsbook account to make sure you don’t spend more.
One of the best ways to stay on top of your bankroll and ensure you can bet for longer while spending less is to create a staking plan. Most people will divide their total bankroll into units, which are a certain percentage of the total.
For example, if your bankroll is $100, one unit would be $1. Keep your unit sizes consistent, so as your bankroll increases or decreases, your bets change, too. This way, you’ll handle losses much better without significantly eating into your total bankroll.
Staying Updated on the League
Having success with betting on the NFL means following the sport religiously. All throughout the season, you should be consuming as much news as possible, preferably from reliable and trusted sources. You should be looking at all the results, the latest injuries, and analysis of coaches and tactics.
These days, thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to get instant updates on teams and players. However, it’s important to cut through the noise so you only see information that’s valuable to you. Social media is also a great place to find tips from NFL experts, though you should know that even they can be wrong sometimes.
When planning your bets, you should always consider the research and how different factors may influence the result. For example, did you know that the weather can affect how many points are scored? You should also consider whether teams have had to travel a long distance to play their upcoming game.
Advanced Data Analytics
Good bets are based on data and research rather than gut feeling. You can make good picks by using basic data, but if you really want to gain an edge over the sportsbooks, you need to dive deep into the research.
These days, most NFL games have lots of advanced data analytics available. While some bettors may not trust things like defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) and defense-adjusted yards above replacement (DYAR), they offer more insight compared to traditional stats.
You can use these advanced data analytics in conjunction with other research into team form and player stats to give you a better picture of what might happen in the game. You may even be able to spot things that other NFL fans wouldn’t.
