Page 12 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ September, 2025

PLAY TO WIN
Kick off football season with sports betting tips
“How ’bout them Cowboys?”
~ Jimmy Johnson, two-time Super Bowl winning coach, Dallas Cowboys
September brings streets filled with yellow school buses, gold-tipped leaves and the first bite of cooler weather (well, at least in some places). But, for many — especially those in South — the biggest happening in September is the return of football season.
Preseason games started in August, and the 2025 NFL season kicks off the first week of September with the Dallas Cowboys facing defending Super Bowl LIX champions Philadelphia on Sept. 4. Widely known as “America’s Team,” the Cowboys have long
been the favorite team in my
family, starting with my
father, who many regular
readers will recognize as
avid blackjack player.
From a young age, my sister Lynda bonded with my dad over football, with both of them cheering on the Cowboys. And when she got of age, they both enjoyed going to the casino to watch the game and place a wager. My sister passed away in May, and in her memory, I will be taking over the sports betting — with my focus on the Cowboys, of course.
NFL and college football is the most bet-on sport at sportsbooks across the country. And while the casinos are full of people making sports betting look easy, let’s face it: when it comes to sports betting, there is a lot to unravel and a plenty to know. Before I go, I need a quick primer, beginning with some of the types of bets available:
• Straight Bets — An individual wager on a game (football, baseball, basketball, etc.) or event that will be determined by a point spread, a money
line or a point total. A money line bet is a wager where odds are expressed in terms of money. When a
team is listed with a minus (-) the player lays that amount to win $100; when listed with a plus (+) the player wins that amount for every $100 wagered.
A point spread bet is a wager where a team must win by a certain number of points determined by the oddsmaker to create a wager that will attract betting action on both sides. The point margin is the number of points by which the
favored team must win to “cover the spread.” Most point spread bets carry odds of -110. And a total bet (over/under) is a wager based on the combined number of points scored by both teams at the end of the game or event, including any overtime. Most total bets
carry odds of -110.
• Parlay Bets — A wager that
combines more than one single bet, often across multiple games. All selections must win to collect. The more teams bet in a parlay, the higher the payout odds.
• Future Bets — A wager made on a game or event that is taking place in the future. For example, a bettor might place a future bet during preseason for a team to win a championship event.
• In-Game Wagers — Wagers placed on a game after the game has started. Odds will often be adjusted to reflect play or conditions.
• Proposition Bet — Also referred to as a prop, novelty or side bet, a proposition bet may involve something that does not necessarily affect the outcome of the game or event. For example, a book might
post a prop bet for which team will score the first touchdown in a football game. Another might
be whether the first score will be a touchdown or a field goal.
And, there are also common sports wagering terms. Some of these may be familiar to sports fans who follow teams, watch sports programs and read sports publications.
• Cover — The betting result on a point-spread wager. For a favorite to cover, it must win by more than the spread; an underdog covers by winning outright or losing by less than the spread.
• Handle — The total amount of money wagered by all customers on a game or event.
• Limit — The maximum amount accepted on a single wager.
• Line — The odds posted for a game or event. Odds may change from the opening line to account for more money being bet on one side of the bet compared to the other.
• Longshot — A team or individual generally thought to be unlikely to win.
• Underdog — The team least likely to win.
• Favorite — The expected straight- up winner in a game or event.
• Point Spread — The number of points oddsmakers will post on a game in order to attract betting action on both teams. Generally, the objective is to split the betting action.
The one rule I’ve heard most often when it comes to sportsbetting is to bet with your head and not your heart. Know the spread, who has the stronger team, which players may be out due to injury. But no matter, with a new angel cheering them on, I’m still betting on America’s Team.
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