NFL Football and betting go together like beer and pretzels … steak and fries … a boy and his dog - you get the picture. They are a natural, meant to be almost “joined at the hip.” Betting is one of the primary reasons for footballs immense popularity. Every Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights, as well football fans and people who “love the action” that gambling provides - bet countless millions on the outcome of games.

However, unlike betting on other sports where all that is necessary to win a bet is to pick the winner, people who bet on football have got to “beat the spread.”That’s a lot harder than it seems. The “spreads” which are the point differentials between the winner and loser, is set every week by Las Vegas professional odds makers. Spreads are usually based on recent past performance … injuries … home field advantage … and many other factors. It often means that to win a bet on a favorite, for instance, the team has to win by 3, 4, 7, 10 … even more points.

Consider. Your team can win the game, but you can lose your bet … just because the team you chose didn’t win by enough points. That’s what makes betting on football so difficult … and so irresistible. It’s a lure that few bettors can avoid.
And betting on the game’s outcome is not the only wager available to fans and other gamblers. Las Vegas odds makers also set “Over and Under” scores for each game. You can bet that the total number of points scored - by both teams - will be Under 36, for example and, if you’re right, you win. Bet the “over” and the teams’ combined score for the games has to be more than 36 points for you to win.

This is the kind of nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat action that few, if any, other sports can deliver. Football is played to a time limit and, more often than not, a winning bet hinges on a last-second play. It’s nerve-wracking, to be sure … but it is the kind of excitement most people crave - a real rush!

Professional handicappers advertise weekly, all during football season, to fans who like to bet. They offer their “expertise” for a price and generally include what they call “a best bet.” The truth is that, as a football fanatic, you are also a football expert. You probably watch as many games as the professional handicappers … probably know who is hurt and who’s healthy … probably know a team’s tendencies and its historical record against an opponent. And if you do, you may know enough to make an intelligent decision regarding a wager. A final point: betting adds an extra element of excitement to for football fans. But there can be a risk involved in betting if you allow yourself to bet beyond your budget. This year … bet smart.