NFL Betting Questions, Answered
Common questions about spreads, vig, pushes, and legal online betting in the US.
What does -110 mean on an NFL bet line?
It means you must wager $110 to win $100 in profit. That extra $10 is the sportsbook's built-in margin — called the vig or juice — and it applies to both sides of a standard spread or total. Because both sides carry the same -110 price, the book profits on the difference as long as action is roughly balanced. I cover the full math behind this in the vig explained: why -110 means you must win 52.4% to break even.
How do I read a point spread?
The favorite carries a negative number — say, -6.5 — meaning they must win by more than 6.5 points for your bet to cash. The underdog carries +6.5, meaning they can lose by up to 6 points and still cover. A full walkthrough with examples is in how to read NFL bet lines: a step-by-step walkthrough.
What is a push, and do I get my money back?
A push happens when the final margin exactly equals the whole-number spread — for instance, the favorite wins by exactly 7 when the line is -7. All bets on that game are refunded to the bettor's account. That's why many lines include a half-point hook: a spread of -7.5 eliminates any push possibility, which is especially meaningful around NFL key numbers like 3 and 7.
What does a positive (+) vs negative (−) sign mean?
A minus sign identifies the favorite and shows how much you must stake to profit $100 — e.g., -200 means stake $200 to win $100. A plus sign identifies the underdog and shows profit on a $100 bet — e.g., +180 means a $100 bet returns $180 profit. These are standard American odds format, though some books also let you switch to decimal or fractional display.
Why do lines change before kickoff?
Lines shift in response to betting volume, injury reports, weather, and sharp money — wagers from high-volume professional bettors whose action prompts books to adjust. A half-point move around a key number like 3 or 7 can meaningfully change a bet's expected value. See NFL line movement: what drives spreads from open to kickoff for a full explanation.
Should I compare lines across multiple sportsbooks?
Yes — and I'd argue it's the single easiest edge available to a recreational bettor. The same game can sit at different spreads at DraftKings and FanDuel simultaneously, and even a half-point difference compounds over a full season. My guide to shopping NFL bet lines across DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM shows how to do it in under two minutes.
What is the minimum age to bet on NFL games?
21 in most legal states. Age 18 is permitted in Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C., though individual sportsbooks may still require 21 regardless of the lower state threshold. NFL players, coaches, referees, and other league-affiliated personnel are prohibited from betting on NFL games under league rules, regardless of age or location.
Which states allow online NFL betting?
Online sports betting is legal in over 30 states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and New York, among others. You don't need to be a resident — you just need to be physically located inside a legal state's borders when you place your bet, which sportsbooks verify via geolocation. Missouri launched its market December 1, 2025, regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission. For a full current list, check legal NFL betting by state: where you can wager online right now.
Are sportsbook welcome bonuses worth claiming?
They can be, but the headline number rarely tells the whole story. Rollover requirements, minimum-odds restrictions, and expiration windows all affect whether you can actually withdraw anything. Read every term before opting in; the NFL sportsbook welcome bonuses guide breaks down what to look for. Must be 21+ (18+ in select states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
For a deeper look at how all these concepts fit together before you place your first wager, the step-by-step guide to signing up, depositing, and placing your first NFL bet walks through the entire process. And if you want the formal definitions cited by an independent source, Responsible Gambling's NFL betting lines guide covers terminology in plain language.