It’s no secret that the NFL is the most popular sport in America. Sundays during football season are like a religion. Last year’s Super Bowl ALONE saw about $23 BILLION wagered on it. Of course, it stands to reason that there was so much more wagered illegally. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the NFL is a monstrous business for all parties involved.
Having said that, from a betting perspective, it does carry risk. Ever wonder why Sportsbooks will often let gamblers wage thousands of dollars, and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, on regular season games? Or six figure wagers on playoff games or the Super Bowl? Well, that’s because the Sportsbooks are the most confident in their football handicapping. Because the NFL is so popular, Sportsbooks HAVE TO have the sharpest lines, or pro bettors and The Public will be able to take advantage. It’s typically considered to be the hardest sport to profitably bet on over a given period of time.
This doesn’t mean you can’t bet on the NFL, of course. We will have selections on the NFL coming! However, it does mean that you should be careful and mindful when doing so. If you know another sport well, and especially if it’s a lesser-known sport, chances are you’ll have more success since it’s harder for Sportsbooks to keep up with all of the sports that don’t dominate the airwaves. It may feel cooler to win a primetime NFL bet that you’re watching at the bar or with your friends, but it’s the same money if you make a winning bet on a Darts match or golf tournament.
As we begin to be inundated with commercials for the NFL and betting opportunities for the upcoming NFL season, just remember that it’s our job to make profitable wagers. It’s not our job to bet on the NFL because it’s the only game on Fox. Often times, that sort of logic just plays right into the hands of the Sportsbook.