NFL betting

The National Football League is the top American football league, with 32 teams in two conferences. The regular season runs from September to early January, followed by the playoffs and the Super Bowl in February.

Because the gap between two teams is often large, the point spread is the market most people follow: the favourite gives the other side a start in points, and the bet is about the margin.

Markets you usually see

• Winner - who wins the game, overtime included.
• Point spread - the favourite gives a start in points.
• Total points - over or under a line of points.

Questions people ask

Does overtime count in NFL bets?

The winner, spread and total markets usually include overtime unless a market says it is for regular time only.

When is the Super Bowl?

In February, after the playoffs that follow the regular season.

More leagues: CFL, NBA, NHL.