Of the sports betting landscape in the U.S., the NFL and NBA are each at the top of the heap in their way, providing fresh opportunities for bettors of every level of expertise. The NFL is by far the first choice at sportsbooks, while the NBA is not far behind in overall betting handling. These are all high visibility, rich in betting options, and entry points for beginners to these sports. While inexperienced bettors only have two things to consider—home games versus away ones and who’s playing and who isn’t—experienced bettors can venture into more advanced strategies tuned to the NBA’s pace or the NFL’s weekly schedule. Potential profitability does hinge in large part on knowledge, research, and strategy, and while both leagues have a lot to offer, the tradeoffs are up to bettors as to which best matches their skills and tastes.
Which sport attracts more betting activity, the NFL or the NBA?
Where individual games go, the NFL leads in terms of betting activity per game because of the NFL’s weekly schedule and atmosphere, which are similar to an event. Not to mention NBA Finals and playoffs, the NBA isn’t far behind the NFL in betting volume either, given its large number of matches and events. You also get various betting options in both sports (moneyline, point spread, total, prop bets, futures, and live betting). A more robust futures betting market exists in the NFL, while the NBA’s high scoring and fast action make it so well suited for live, in-game bets. In the end, both leagues have many outlets to satisfy the bettor in his quest to gain an edge, whether through permutations or betting across a handful of pages.
NFL vs. NBA: Most Popular Betting Options
The NFL and NBA are both popular betting markets and point spreads and totals are two of the most popular choices among sports bettors to talk about. But in both sports, these bets operate similarly, but you use different methods. The NFL point spreads are released about a week before the games, allowing bettors lots of time to do their research and analysis, and the NFL odds can be moving, based on market action. On the other hand, this is because NBA spreads are rarely given until the night or day of the game, leaving less time needed for adjustments. There are also scoring differences at play since NBA totals rarely break 200 points, while even NFL games can rarely get above the mid-50s. The math gets more complicated with the extra time between games. Rest and less travel for NFL teams, but injuries are more prevalent and widely reported. Concurrently, NBA teams face grueling schedules and frequent travel that cause fatigue and last-minute changes in a bettor strategy.
Which offers greater profit potential: NBA betting or NFL betting?
There is a good amount of profit potential in betting on NBA or NFL depending on the type of bettor you are and what’s your strategy. Both sports have fairly equal odds for casual bettors who place lines here and there on high-profile games. Yet, volume bettors will notice the potential in the NBA, with its many games and frequent slates. Yet that potential can change based on bet size and the kinds of bet used, from props to live bets. Suppose you bet $110 on the spread playing against three NFL primetime games at -110 odds and end up going 2-1, you walk away with $90 net. However, betting $110 on five NBA spreads that have a 3-2 record, nets $80. The same outcomes, but since there are so many NBA games to bet on, volume bettors have more chances to find a good line. Success then boils down to your strategy as well as how good you think you are at predicting outcomes.
Is public betting more influential in the NFL or NBA?
While public betting is huge for the NFL and NBA, its role in both sports works differently since the NFL and NBA play on different schedules. It’s a format in which public consensus starts building around future outcomes, and with the NFL’s weekly games there’s more time for bets to accumulate, so there is indeed more of an influence on public betting trends. The fast pace of the NBA schedule and the games that are commonly played give that sudden line movement a chance of being sharp more than it’s being public sentiment. Ultimately, whether or not you bet with or against the public with that game depends on your analysis of that game. Also, keep in mind that casual bettors usually tend to bet on favorites and over, so be conscious while doing your research. Sportsbooks win more often than the public in the long run, so don’t be shy to bet against the public if your analysis suggests you should.
What are the top NFL bets?
The point spread and the over/under (totals) are the two most common, talked about bets in the NFL, and one will frequently focus on a game based on a spread or totals bet. The next favorite is always moneyline bets, which is a great choice for beginners as it is easy to bet; seasoned bettors might opt for underdogs or close games on moneylines. With the rise of fantasy football, prop bets that revolve around player-specific stats such as touchdowns or yardage have grown by leaps and bounds to new popularity making it an exciting new way to become involved. At its most basic, live betting is before or after any game, but allowing fans to place bets on a quarter, half, or even drive while the game is going on makes it that much more exciting. And there’s always the NFL futures market, which lets bettors place wagers throughout the year on stuff like Super Bowl winners or player awards while it’s the parlay bet that continues to be a go-to for those hoping to come away big with one ticket that covers multiple outcomes.
What are the top NBA bets?
Much like in NFL betting, point spreads and totals (over/under) are the two most common ways to bet on the NBA, and while these dominate the talk, they do make up a lot of the conversation. Moneyline bets are just as popular with new bettors for their simplicity and oldtimers for what they find are good matchups. With the fast pace and high-scoring nature of the NBA games, there are plenty of prop bets (player-specific performances like points, assists, and rebounds) and they should be good for people with good stats and fantasy knowledge. In the NBA, live betting is also quite popular – having the chance to bet on quarters, halve, or even on certain plays, during the game. The NBA futures market is still active, listing each team’s chances of winning the championship as well as awards like MVP, however, the volume of bets does not compare with NFL or NFL futures markets. Lastly, parlays are a fan favorite on a crammed NBA night, providing bettors a shot at a huge score by hammering several favs or results onto a single, high-risk, high-reward ticket.
Advantages and disadvantages of NFL betting
The fact that NFL betting is the highest volume sport in the betting world provides plenty of action to bet on and many opportunities. The vast amount of coverage and abundance of information allows for a bettor to stay informed easily, and the parity between teams gives a variance that works in a savvy bettor’s favor. But there are some clear challenges. Beating the spreads consistently and the totals aren’t easy and the flow of information can become overwhelming making any signal from noise difficult to discern. Additionally, NFL lines will often see massive movement from their first release, so live bettors will need to move regularly if they want to be positioned at the best value. Anyone who enjoys digging through the research and making calculated decisions will find an appeal to NFL betting, but those who like fast, instinctive bets, may prefer other sports.
Advantages and disadvantages of NBA betting
Like with anything else, there are pros and cons when it comes to NBA betting, which is something for everyone. The best thing about the NBA is its packed game schedule, which means there are many weekly betting opportunities. That means betting window interest is second only to football’s and is only expected to grow. NBA games are incredibly prop and live betting friendly because of the madness, scoring, and fast pacing that occurs. But, of course, there are challenges to take into consideration. A key star player’s absence can heavily affect games; there are no guarantees for reliable injury updates. Secondly, the tight schedule leaves too little time for in-depth research and handicapping. Since the long NBA season provides plenty of opportunities active bettors have to be active, consider switching to a sport with fewer games and fewer bets if you’re more of the slower pace, fewer bets type of bettor.
