Everything A PA Sports Bettor Needs to Know Before Football Season

caleb tallman
By:
Caleb Tallman
07/21/2023
News
NCAA Football Sports News

Highlights

  • Pennsylvania sports bettors have the advantage of betting on college football, in-state college teams, and NFL games, making the betting experience more exciting and diverse.
  • Pennsylvania's most popular football bet types include point spread bets, moneyline bets, over/under bets (total points), prop bets, parlay bets, teaser bets, and future bets, providing a wide range of options for bettors.
  • Regarding top football teams to bet on in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL teams to watch out for, while college football enthusiasts can place their bets on the Penn State Nittany Lions and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.

Pennsylvania sports bettors will not have to wait long before you can start betting on your favorite football teams. The dog days of summer are almost through, and beautiful fall weather will be here soon.

Pa online sports betting users face very few restrictions, unlike other states, as Pennsylvania online sports betting laws allow for betting on college and in-state college teams. In this article, everything you need to know about the most popular football bets is broken down for you to ensure you are ready for the upcoming College football and NFL seasons.

Most Popular Bet Types and How They Work

Point Spread Bet:

The point spread bet is the most common type of football wager. In this bet, oddsmakers assign a handicap to the favored team, and the underdog is given a certain number of points to level the playing field.

For example, if the New England Patriots are favored to win against the Miami Dolphins by 7 points, a bet on the Patriots would require them to win by at least 8 points to cover the spread. Conversely, a bet on the Dolphins would win if they win the game outright or lose by 6 points or less.

Moneyline Bet:

A moneyline bet is a straightforward wager where the bettor chooses the team they believe will win the game outright, regardless of the point spread. Moneyline odds are assigned to each team, reflecting the potential payout based on their perceived chances of winning. Betting on the underdog can yield a higher return while betting on the favorite offers a lower payout due to the higher likelihood of their victory.

Over/Under Bet (Total Points):

The over/under bet, also known as the total points bet, is based on the combined score of both teams. Oddsmakers set a predicted total, and bettors wager on whether the actual score will be over or under that number. This type of bet adds excitement to games, especially when high-scoring offenses face off against stout defenses.

Proposition (Prop) Bets:

Prop bets offer a variety of unique and entertaining wagering opportunities beyond the game's final outcome. These bets can range from predicting individual player performances, such as the number of passing yards a quarterback will throw, to quirky bets, like the duration of the national anthem during halftime. Prop bets have become increasingly popular during major events like the Super Bowl, offering fans an amusing way to engage with the game.

Parlay Bet:

A parlay bet combines multiple individual bets into one wager, with all selections needing to win for the bettor to be successful. While the potential payouts can be lucrative, parlay bets are riskier due to the higher probability of losing one of the bets. They are popular among bettors looking for a big payout with a small stake.

Teaser Bet:

A teaser bet is similar to a parlay, but it allows bettors to adjust the point spread in their favor for lower odds. This type of bet is advantageous when betting on point spreads or over/under bets, as it gives bettors a better chance of winning by reducing the risk associated with the original lines.

Future Bet:

A future bet is a type of wager where bettors place bets on the outcome of an event that will be determined in the distant future, typically at the end of a season or a specific milestone in a league or team's performance. Unlike traditional bets that focus on the outcome of individual games, futures bets allow bettors to speculate on long-term results.

The most common type of American football futures bet is predicting the winner of a major championship, such as the Super Bowl for the NFL or the College Football Playoff National Championship for NCAA football. Before the start of the season, sportsbooks will release odds for each team to win the championship. The odds are determined based on the team's overall strength, past performance, and any significant roster changes.

Most Popular Pennsylvania Football Teams to Bet On

Pennsylvania is blessed to have several incredible NFL and Power 5 college football teams for residents to root for and wager on for online sports betting in PA.

NFL Teams

Pittsburgh Steelers:

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Steelers are one of the NFL's most successful and storied franchises. They were founded in 1933 and have won multiple Super Bowl championships, making them one of the most successful teams in the league.

Philadelphia Eagles:

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Eagles are another well-known NFL team. They were established in 1933 and have also won several championships, including their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII during the 2017 season.

College Teame

Penn State Nittany Lions:

The Penn State University football team, located in State College, Pennsylvania, is one of the most storied programs in college football history. They compete in the Big Ten Conference and have a strong tradition of success, including numerous bowl appearances and national championships.

University of Pittsburgh Panthers:

The University of Pittsburgh's football team, known as the Panthers, is another prominent college football program in Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and have a long-standing rivalry with the Penn State Nittany Lions, known as the "Backyard Brawl."

A huge sports fan; locally, many know me as the guy who does the PA for our high school football team on Friday nights. Having grown up in Michigan, I am a sports fan of all the Detroit teams, and at the college level, I love Michigan State sports. I have covered sports betting, iGaming and casino industry news for many well known websites.