NFL Betting Rules at Online Sportsbooks

With the legalization of online sports betting in Massachusetts, it is crucial to revisit the betting regulations for the highly-wagered sports league in the United States, namely the NFL.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with NFL odds and different types of bets, it is crucial to understand the fundamentals of betting. To assist you in betting on NFL games through online sportsbooks, here is a brief guide covering all the essential rules you should be aware of.

Basic NFL betting rules

Sportsbooks in Massachusetts have a well-established protocol for handling any potential disruptions that may affect an NFL game, although it is rare for teams to deviate from the pre-determined schedule.

Change of date

Although NFL games are typically resistant to schedule changes, unexpected events like extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances can lead to a postponement or cancellation. The impact of COVID-19 has demonstrated this in the past two seasons. Nevertheless, in most cases, if the game occurs within a few days of its original date, bets will still be valid.

If games are rescheduled to a later date in the season, sportsbooks will cancel and reimburse bets. They will then update the game listing with new sports betting odds. Although this is the typical procedure, certain online books may have their own set of rules for NFL games. For instance, BetMGM Sportsbook MA cancels NFL bets if the postponement exceeds 48 hours.

Change of location

Occasionally, the NFL may need to relocate a game to a different venue, often due to adverse weather conditions like a hurricane. During such instances, sportsbooks typically take the game off the betting board temporarily in order to readjust the odds. Subsequently, the specific protocols regarding existing bets may differ among different sportsbooks.

If the home teams remain unchanged but the location is different, DraftKings Sportsbook MA maintains an active bet, whereas Caesars MA Sportsbook refunds all bets in such cases.

Incomplete games

With the exception of overtime, NFL games typically last for 60 minutes of regulation time. Although shortened games are uncommon, sportsbooks will still factor in this possibility within their regulations.

For betting purposes, a game that lasts for at least 55 minutes out of the total 60-minute duration is typically considered valid. However, if there are more than five minutes remaining on the clock and the play is halted, the game must recommence within 48 hours for the bets to be considered valid.

In the event that a game lasts less than 55 minutes and there are no intentions to continue it, sportsbooks typically invalidate and reimburse wagers. Furthermore, if a game is not held at all, you will be refunded for any bets placed.

Shortened season

If a season is shorter than anticipated, the NFL futures bets would be most affected. Refunds would be given for any games that were not played according to the original schedule. However, for NFL team win total bets, sportsbooks will cancel and refund those wagers since they were based on a complete schedule.

As long as the condensed season proceeds as planned, bets on Super Bowl, conference, and division winners will remain valid. The NFL has not experienced a significant player strike or any similar events for quite some time. Unless an unforeseen circumstance arises, dealing with a shortened season should not pose any problems.

NFL betting rules by wager

Various bets in NFL games (and USFL games) have their own set of rules. The FAQ section provides a basic overview of how these bets work, but it is recommended to review the house rules for a comprehensive understanding. The following outlines the primary regulations and rules for NFL betting.

Point spreads

Sportsbooks set a point spread for every NFL game, making it a widely favored method of betting. This is because even games that seem like clear mismatches can attract interest due to the various betting possibilities. To illustrate, if a team is favored with a line of -3.5 points, they must win the game by a margin of four points or more. On the other hand, the underdog has the chance to win the game by any score or lose by three points or less.

If the spread is a precise number, such as two or seven points, a game concluding with the favorite winning by that exact amount will result in a tie for spread bets. The final score determined by the official authorities of the game will be decisive for settling the bet.

Moneylines

To put it simply, the moneyline bet involves predicting the winning team. Although ties in NFL games are uncommon, they may occur occasionally throughout the season. In such cases, a moneyline bet would result in a push, meaning there is no winner or loser. Consequently, you would receive a refund.

During the postseason, games persist until a winner is determined, eliminating any concerns. Additionally, it is important to mention that NFL betting lines typically encompass overtime periods. While a few sportsbooks may provide wagers exclusively for regulation time, it is not a widely favored approach for betting on NFL games.

Over/unders

These bets, also referred to as totals betting, involve predicting the total score of a game. The sportsbook establishes a line, and you have the option to bet on whether the actual combined score will be higher or lower than that line. To avoid the chance of a tie, the line often includes a decimal point. In the rare event that the total score matches the line exactly, bets will be considered void.

Live bets

The popularity of live game betting is on the rise, with its fast-paced nature and frequent updates of odds and bets as the game progresses. All the standard betting rules still apply, including the use of official game data and statistics to determine bets, and ties leading to pushes.

Parlays and same game parlays

When placing multi-leg wagers, all the regular rules are applicable to each individual bet included in the parlay. In the event that one of the legs is either canceled or ends in a tie, the bookmaker will eliminate that particular leg from your parlay and modify the odds based on the remaining bets. For instance, if you wagered on a three-leg NFL moneyline parlay and one of the games is scheduled for a later date in the season, your bet will remain active as a two-leg parlay.

Player props

In this particular domain, matters can become somewhat complicated, hence we strongly advise you to thoroughly examine the regulations set by your sportsbook. Generally, in the case of an NFL player prop, the bet will only be considered valid if the player in question participates in at least one play on the field. If this condition is not met, the sportsbook will cancel the bet and provide a refund. Similar to other wagers, sportsbooks rely on official league data to resolve these bets.

Procedure for grading bets

Once the game is concluded, you can anticipate the funds from your winning bet to be credited to your account within minutes. Upon settlement, all wagers will be recorded in the betting history section of your account. In case of a tie or push, your bet will be refunded after the game concludes. If you have any valid concerns regarding the settlement of your bet, feel free to reach out to customer support.

What happens when sportsbooks make mistakes?

Sportsbooks, like any other entity, are not immune to making mistakes. In such instances, the books will typically take the necessary steps to rectify the error by promptly removing the wager from the board and providing refunds for any bets that individuals may have already made.

Although rare, there may be instances where a bet you have won turns into a loss unintentionally. In such cases, it is advisable to contact customer support for assistance. If the mistake is due to a human or software error on the part of the sportsbook, you can anticipate a prompt resolution.

What happens when stats change after the game?

After a game concludes, there is a chance for a stat alteration, like modifying the credit for a tackle or sack. If such changes occur immediately, they can affect your bet. However, adjustments made several days later should not pose a problem for bets that have already been settled.

What are correlated plays, and why can’t you make them?

A correlated play refers to outcomes that are tightly connected, with one result influencing the other. Sportsbooks generally discourage and prohibit these types of bets, including wagering on a team to win both the first quarter and first half of a game.

Due to the increasing popularity of same-game parlays, the distinction has become less clear in recent times, although bookmakers still monitor this closely. If you attempt to place a parlay bet that the bookmaker does not allow, you will receive a notification on the bet slip informing you of this.

What are the minimum and maximum bets for NFL games?

The majority of online sportsbooks establish a limit on the maximum potential winnings per bet, typically set at $1 million. In case the potential payout surpasses this amount, it is unlikely that you will be able to proceed with placing the bet.

At certain online sportsbooks, you have the option to place bets for as low as $0.10, making it accessible for minimum wagers. Additionally, the betting slips provided by legal online sportsbooks will promptly inform you if you have exceeded or fallen below any set limits.

Rules for bonus bets and other bonuses

New users can benefit from various special promotions offered by numerous online sportsbooks, such as site credit or bonus bets. It is important to note that each offer comes with its own set of terms and conditions, which you can carefully review prior to registering. For instance, certain bonuses may necessitate a specific deposit amount, while others may have a playthrough requirement that must be fulfilled to avail the bonus. Regardless of how enticing the offer may seem, it is crucial to allocate some time to understand the obligations you need to fulfill before accepting it.

Related Articles:

• Rules to live by when it comes to sports betting
• Placing wagers on the total number of wins for an NFL team throughout the season.