6 Tips for UK Players Betting on the NFL

Preparing to place some bets on the NFL? You’re not alone. While many in the UK still dismiss it as “rugby with helmets”, there is a growing fanbase that has gotten fully behind the sport.

Every time there is an NFL game at Wembley, thousands buy tickets to watch it live and millions more tune in at home or watch the highlights at a later time. As these games become more popular and the fanbase grows, more are looking to bet on the NFL. With that in mind, let’s look at some tips to keep in mind the next time you wager on this league.

Look Around for the Best Odds

Odds aren’t fixed across the industry. Sportsbooks can set their own odds and add promotions like odds boosts, whereby odds are boosted for a specific game or market. So, don’t take the first one that you find and shop around.

You can use odds comparison sites to find the best odds on any given game or market, after which you just need to sign up and bet. It’ll be a hassle in the beginning, as you’ll need to join a few different sportsbooks, but once you have those accounts, you’ll be free to compare and bet, ensuring you get the best odds—and, therefore, the highest return if you win—every time.

Make sure the sites you’re joining are licensed in the UK and have some good reviews behind them. All online sportsbooks and online casinos licensed in the UK will have an online presence in the form of affiliate reviews, user reviews, and more. Do a little research before you commit.

Avoid Accumulators at All Costs

Accumulators are tempting. It is intriguing to think that you can bet a small amount and get a huge return. But the likelihood of getting anything is very slim. Every wager that you add to the bet slip greatly decreases your odds of winning and increases the house edge.

Of course, most casual bettors have a story about winning big on an ACCA and they’ll probably tell you that they are in profit overall. But that’s because they’re forgetting the many times they have lost. It’s easy to remember winning 4-figures on a 10-bet ACCA; it’s not as easy to remember the countless times you lost £10 or £20 on failed accumulator bets.

Diversify Your Bets

You should never stick with the same betting market. Always diversify your bets.

Diversifying your wagers is beneficial for two reasons:

Firstly, you have a chance of finding a winning bet you would have otherwise missed, including a rare prop bet with poorly weighted odds.

Secondly, it’s a good way of keeping problem gambling at bay. Many problem gamblers stick with the same bet. They keep wagering on that market because they worry that the one time they don’t is the time they would have won big. It’s like playing the same numbers on the lottery week after week. Once you start, it’s hard to stop.

Look Out for Injuries and Consider Form

Keep an eye on team news for all upcoming games. Check sports news sites, follow teams and players on social media, and make sure you learn about injuries and potential form issues before you place your bets.

The sportsbook will have all of this information as well, of course. But it’s not about getting one up on them; it’s about reducing the edge they have on you and trying to get on the same level as them.

Don’t Chase Losses

As with the diversifying strategy, the main goal here is to avoid the trap of problem gambling. Chasing losses is also a sure-fire way to put yourself in a financial black hole.

When you chase losses, you end up making larger and riskier bets. You stop betting with your head and let your emotions take over. Before you know it, you’re placing substantial wagers on markets and games you would usually avoid. It’s all downhill from there.

Generally speaking, if you’re losing money and feeling frustrated, it’s time to take a break. Regardless of the sport or the betting market, it’s always good practice to call it a day when you stop having fun and start feeling the temptation to take bigger risks and wager more money.

Summary: Upping Your NFL Betting Game

Now that you have some top NFL betting tips on your side, the only thing left to do is to get out there and start betting! Remember to always gamble responsibly, stop when it stops being fun, and never bet more than you are happy to lose. And don’t forget, just because it’s an unfamiliar sport doesn’t mean you can’t partake in a little matched betting on the NFL. Be sure to check out our guide to matched betting if you need some tips.