What this guide covers
This page is about American football. For soccer, see our football guide. Stake names the NFL among its sports. Here we cover the spread, the moneyline, the total and player props, and explain why a few numbers matter so much more in this sport than in others.
Stake.com isn't available in the United States, so this page is for NFL fans in countries where Stake.com accepts players. 18+ only, or the higher legal age where you live. Check the availability page before you sign up.
Markets
- Spread. Favorite gives points.
- Moneyline. Who wins.
- Total. Combined points.
- Props. Player yards, touchdowns and more.
The spread is the main NFL market. If a team is minus 3.5, it must win by four or more. The team getting plus 3.5 wins the bet if it wins outright or loses by three or fewer. Whole-number spreads, such as minus 3, can push, which returns your stake.
The moneyline asks who wins the game. Favorites pay little, underdogs pay more. Ties are possible in the NFL regular season if overtime ends level, though they're rare. How a tie settles on a two-way moneyline is a rule to check.
The total is an over and under on the two teams' combined points. Weather, pace and injuries all move it. Wind affects passing and kicking more than rain does.
Props are bets on players or events: passing yards, receptions, rushing yards, anytime touchdown scorer, first score of the game. Prop markets are where most of the variety is.
Key numbers
Key numbers
| Margin | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 3 | A field goal |
| 7 | A converted touchdown |
Scoring in the NFL comes in chunks: three points for a field goal, six for a touchdown, usually seven with the extra point. That makes some final margins much more common than others. Three and seven are the classics, and 10, 6 and 14 also show up often. This is why moving a spread from minus 2.5 to minus 3.5 changes the price more than moving it from minus 8.5 to minus 9.5. Half a point that crosses a key number is worth more. Alternative spreads, where offered, are priced with this in mind.
Overtime
Most full-game markets include overtime: the spread, the total and the moneyline. Quarter and half markets usually don't, except that second-half markets often include overtime. Player props usually count overtime stats too. Check the market name and Stake's sports rules for each.
Player props in more depth
In many sportsbooks, a player who doesn't take a snap means a void prop. A player who gets hurt in the first quarter after playing a few snaps usually means the bet stands and probably loses. That difference matters with injury-listed players. Anytime touchdown scorer markets usually count rushing and receiving touchdowns, but not passing ones. Stake's sports rules decide, so read them for each prop.
Props are also where same-game combos are most popular. If bet builder is available for the game, you can join a quarterback's passing yards with his team covering the spread. Because those outcomes tend to move together, the combined price is lower than multiplying the separate odds.
A worked example
Made-up game: Team A is minus 3 against Team B, and the total is 44.5. A wins 23 to 20. The margin is exactly three, so the spread pushes and stakes come back on both sides. The total is 43, so the under wins. If the line had been minus 2.5, the A spread bet would have won. That half point is the whole story of key numbers.
The season and the Super Bowl
The NFL season runs from late summer into winter, with the playoffs and the Super Bowl at the end. Futures markets, such as the Super Bowl winner, run all season. Super Bowl week brings a long list of novelty props. They're entertainment, priced with large margins.
College football may also be listed, depending on the time of year. Check the lobby rather than assuming.
Live NFL
NFL games stop and start, so in-play prices update between plays. Markets suspend during reviews and scoring drives. Read our live betting guide before betting in play.
Related
See handicap betting for spreads and over and under for totals. Same-game props fit bet builder.
Injury reports and weather
NFL teams publish injury reports during the week, listing players as questionable, doubtful or out. Lines move as those reports come in, and again when inactive lists are confirmed before kickoff. A starting quarterback being ruled out is the biggest single mover in the sport. If you bet early in the week, your price is locked even if the news changes later. That's fine, but it means betting early is a choice with risk on both sides.
Weather matters more in outdoor stadiums late in the season. Strong wind makes long passes and kicks harder, which tends to push totals down. Domed stadiums take weather out of it.
Keeping it in proportion
Game day packs many games into a few hours, and it's tempting to have something on every one. Pick your games, treat every bet as money you can lose, and if you're chasing losses, stop and read our responsible gambling page.
FAQ
Is college football available?
Check the lobby.
Do props include overtime?
Usually. Check the prop's rules on Stake.
Can I bet the Super Bowl?
Yes, as a major event.
Why does the spread sit on 3 so often?
Because so many games end by a field goal. Half a point either side of 3 changes the price a lot.