Master the Betting Basics: The A-Z of Football Wagering

June 17, 2024 by Staff

We've all been there! Staring at figures and symbols in a licensed sportsbook and wondering what they represent. Truth be told, the jargon can be quite intimidating at first sight.

Navigating the complexities of college football betting can sometimes be overwhelming for beginners. That's why we’ve provided the perfect guide to help you understand the nuances of college football betting. Understanding football betting concepts helps you make the right decisions and sets you up for a thrilling experience.

This article explains some simple college football basics to help you get started on your betting journey, focusing on understanding betting odds, the different types of bets, and some other important football betting terms.

Common Football Betting Terms and Jargon

It's good practice to familiarize yourself with different betting terminologies before placing your first bet. In college football, these are some of the most basic terms used by sportsbooks and bettors:

  1. Moneyline bets
  2. Point spreads
  3. Over/Under bets (Totals)
  4. Prop bets
  5. Parlay
  6. Bankroll

Moneyline Bets

Moneyline involves betting on who you think will win a college football game. Here, bookmakers assign a minus symbol (-) to the favorites and a plus (+) to the underdogs.

For example, the moneyline odds on FanDuel for the game between the Florida State Seminoles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets read:

  1. Florida State: -490 
  2. Georgia Tech: +395

These figures mean that FanDuel favors the Seminoles to win over the Yellow Jackets.

Point Spreads

Bookmakers design the point spread to level the playing field between two teams. This type of bet is similar to the handicap bet adopted by European sportsbooks, and it entails giving a hypothetical point advantage or disadvantage to each team.

Here's what a point spread betting line looks like:

  1. Florida State: -12.5 (-110) 
  2. Georgia Tech: +12.5 (-110)

This means that the Seminoles are favored to win by more than 12.5 points. If you bet on the Florida State point spread, you win only if they win by at least 13 points. On the flip side, if you bet on Georgia Tech, you win if they win the game or lose by less than 13 points.

Over/Under Bets (Totals)

The over/under bet is a wager placed on the total number of points scored by both teams in a game. The over/under betting lines read this way:

  • Florida State vs Georgia Tech: O 53.5 (-110), U 53.5 (-110)

Placing an over bet means you’re predicting both teams to score at least 54 points, while an under bet means you expect them to score 53 points or less.

Prop Bets

Prop is short for proposition, and here, you're simply betting on specific events within a college football game. Examples of prop bets include the first team to score and the first mode of scoring (touchdown or field goal). Some sportsbooks also allow you to place props on individual player stats like the total number of touchdown passes and total receptions.

Parlay

Parlay is becoming one of the most popular types of bets in the US, and it is a bet that combines multiple individual bets into a single bet. For instance, you can merge moneyline, point spread, and over/under bets into one bet for a higher payout. All selections must be correct for a parlay to hit.

Bankroll

Nothing elaborate here! Your bankroll simply means the amount of money you've set aside to bet on college football.

How to Get Started with Football Betting

Accurate information is one of your greatest assets as a beginner bettor, as it places you ahead of the curve. With the right knowledge, you’re able to make precise judgments before staking your money.

In search of the right sports betting education? Look no further than TrustnBet, a reliable platform dedicated to helping both newbies and seasoned American bettors improve their college football betting experience by providing educational resources. You can utilize TrustnBet’s sports betting 101 section, a comprehensive guide curated by industry experts for the best tips on how to become a sports betting pro.

On TrustnBet.com, beginners can also learn how to use betting tools, such as odds converters and betting tax calculators.

Responsible Football Betting Practices

Football wagering is meant to be fun, but things can get ugly quickly if you don't learn how to regulate your betting activities. Responsible betting entails knowing the limits and extents of staking money.

One of the ways to become a responsible bettor is by learning how to manage your bankroll. It's good practice to determine how much you can afford to part ways with before wagering. You can achieve this by setting a budget and sticking to it, regardless of the outcome of your bet.

Responsible betting ensures that betting remains an enjoyable experience. You can leverage TrustnBet’s resources for extensive tips on how to build good betting habits.

Your Football Betting Journey Begins Here

The feeling of winning a college football bet is euphoric; it's like heaven on earth. But the journey to success begins with having the right sports betting education.

Making the most of helpful tools like TrustnBet’s “Betting 101” guide equips you with healthy betting practices for smooth and safe betting sessions. Start your betting endeavor on a high note by utilizing these resources tailored to enhance your betting experience, and remember to always bet responsibly!