USA Football Betting Guide For 2026

The next step is choosing an option that is safe and secure. Each of the offshore sportsbooks featured on our site has been reviewed by our team to ensure they are legally authorized and use the latest encryption methods for deposits and withdrawals.

We’ve vetted each site by placing bets over extended periods of time to make sure each one pays out winnings in a timely manner. Additionally, state-licensed sportsbooks are a safe option where available.

After signing up at a sportsbook, determining how much money you can deposit is the most important step and should solely be based on your current financial situation.

Betting on football should never cut into your living expenses or savings. Only deposit what you’re willing to lose and treat your bets like a stock market investment, where you’d be able to afford everything in your daily life should the worst happen.

Coupled with practicing responsible betting techniques is developing proper bankroll management. There is no such thing a “safe” or “sure” bet and going “all in” on single betting line is not smart. Never bet more than 3% of your entire bankroll on a single NFL or college football line and limit yourself to 15% in total wagers per week.

This will minimize how much you lose over time and create a steady return on investment when you win. Additionally, this method gives you a chance to analyze your bets on a week-by-week basis and allows you to re-think your predictions by looking at what went right and what went wrong.

For bets on professional and collegiate football, there are numerous types of bets you can make. If you’re just starting out, then stick to these four until you become more familiar with betting in general.

Points Spread: A set number where the favorite (-) has points taken away from its predicted margin of victory and must win by more than the line indicates. The underdog (+) can win the game or lose by no more than the set number.
Example: Clemson (+6) vs. Alabama (-6)

To Cover: Alabama must win by 7 points, Clemson can win or lose by 5 or fewer points

Money Line: A line where the favorite is given higher odds (lower payout) and the underdog is given lower odds (higher payout). This type of bet is solely based on which team wins the game.

Example: Rams (+155) @ Saints (-175)

Payout: Rams bet needs 100 units to win 155 units, Saints bet needs 175 units to win 100 units

Totals (Over/Under): A set number on the predicted total points scored by both teams and a bet must be placed on whether the combined score from both teams will go over or under the set number.

Example: Patriots @ Chiefs, Total Point 57

O/U win: Over wins with 58 or more points, Under wins with 56 or fewer points

Futures:  A set of odds released weeks or months ahead of an outcome being determined. Note: Don’t tie too much of your funds in futures since it’s more efficient to increase the size of your bankroll by betting weekly as opposed to waiting months for a potential payout.

However, betting a small amount requires little investment and could set up an opportunity to hedge your bet later.

Example: Odds to win the Super Bowl LIII: Saints (+175), Chiefs (+250), Patriots (+325), Rams (+350)

Payout: If the team wins Super Bowl LIII: Saints return 275 units, Chiefs return 350 units, Patriots return 425 units, Rams return 450 units

Prop Bets: Prop bets are much more common with NFL betting and include NFL season props, NFL player props and NFL team props. 

Super Bowl props are also very popular and include betting lines for the commercials, national anthem performance, half time performance, as well as broadcasting props. 

While college football prop betting is not as plentiful, these lines do emerge from time to time.

Football is a game full of injuries and staying up-to-date on who’s active, questionable, and out is important when determining how much a player can (if at all) contribute toward a team winning on game day.

Furthermore, roster additions and departures can be a benefit or a detriment depending on the player involved. Following the news and using social media is a great way to accomplish these things. Just be sure to stay away from the opinionated news and posts because remember: They likely don’t have any skin in the game.

Finally, the last bit of advice for beginners is to avoid betting on your favorite NFL or college football team. You’ve likely rooted for a team for several years or maybe even several decades and cheer for them to win every game they play.

This inherently creates bias since fandom skews reality and makes you believe your team can always win even when they mathematically can’t win. Objectivity and remaining neutral is the only way to make predictions as clear as possible.

And don’t take this as “stop being a fan of your favorite team.” You’ll put money on and against all teams eventually, but betting against your favorite team is something that goes against the inherent nature of being a “fan” and can create problems in the future. To avoid these issues, just stay away from betting on games that have your favorite team as one side of the matchup.