The answer is actually in the name: These are bets on NFL-specific results that will not be decided until far in the future. We're talking beyond Thanksgiving and in many cases not until the calendar turns to 2024.
NFL futures are especially ideal for casual sports bettors who don't have the time, interest, or money to participate in weekly betting.
If you place a bet on things like the Super Bowl or whether certain teams will reach a predetermined win total “over” or “under”, you can (theoretically) make bets that last for the entire season.
Another benefit of NFL futures betting: When betting on markets like the Super Bowl, season win total, and individual awards, bettors can bet a little to have a chance of winning big, especially when they get bonus bets from the welcome offer of a sports betting provider.
For example, if you believe the Minnesota Vikings are a contender – one capable of winning the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history – you can place a preseason bet with potentially higher odds than they had at the start of the season Complete the season. FYI: The Vikings are one of 12 teams that have never won the Super Bowl.
Why do sportsbooks offer such “long” odds? Because it is difficult to predict the winners of a season.
When can you place an NFL futures bet?
Most bettors place NFL futures bets before the start of the regular season, but this is certainly not necessary. In fact, most NFL futures markets remain open throughout the season, with sportsbooks constantly adjusting their odds based on player and/or team performance, significant injuries, trades and betting liabilities.
An example of the latter: if a sportsbook accepts an unequal amount of money for a particular team or player, it reduces the likelihood that betting on the team or player will become less tempting. Conversely, if a sportsbook receives minimal action on a team or player, it will increase the odds in hopes of attracting bettors.
Sometimes these quota shifts occur weekly, sometimes daily, and sometimes every few hours. The goal in NFL futures betting is to strike when the plus odds peak to maximize value. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done.
How much to bet on NFL futures?
As with all sports betting, you can only risk $1 on an NFL futures bet. Of course, the more you bet, the higher your chances of winning. And the higher the odds, the bigger the potential payout.
Hypothetical example: At FanDuel Sportsbook, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is the favorite – meaning he has the lowest odds – to win the NFL MVP at +155 odds. Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has +1600 (16 to 1) odds to win the MVP.
If you bet $10 on Prescott, you could win $15.50. If you bet $10 on Mahomes to win, you could pocket $160.
Comments are closed.