The little bracket that you see on the YesPlay screen saying “(incl. overtime)” is actually pretty important. Think of it like a seatbelt in a car. American football is always a nail-biting experience with constant dramatic swings until the very end. But on YesPlay, there are two almost identical markets sitting right there in front of you, and it’s easy to miss the fine print.

Winner vs Handicap

Winner (incl. overtime) is the usual way to bet on the winner. In this bet, you’re picking the team that will ultimately win, and it still counts if the game goes into overtime. YesPlay also has a separate 1×2 option on most games, giving you a chance to bet on any result.

Scroll through the American football prematch page and check this yourself to see what’s on offer. Right at the top you’ll see USA. NFL. Click the “More markets” button if you’re looking for totals, quarters, halves, team totals, odd/even, or a winning margin line.

The hard thing about betting on the winner is often the odds; favourites rarely have good odds. When you’re betting on the favourite, you’re often taking a bigger risk for a much smaller reward. If you just want to have a bit of fun without worrying about things like maths, then that’s perfectly fine.

Handicap is something you might want to try, since it rewards you for making a harder prediction. On YesPlay you can find odds like -2.5 or +3.5 and your team has to win by covering the spread, no matter whether the game goes into overtime. This is better if you’re expecting a close match and you already have a solid idea of how skilled the teams are.

Who Takes What

Go Winner, if you want to sit back and relax as you see the team you rooted for win. But if you like getting your hands dirty and chasing an elusive bag, then Go Handicap it is. But, no matter which one you choose, always stick to your budget.

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