When it comes to handicapping NFL betting lines, the typical bettor only sticks to wagering on point spreads, money line or totals for the games at hand. However, did you know that there are plenty of other areas of a football game you can put your bookie software knowledge towards? Here is a guide to how to bet on quarters and halves in the NFL.

In quarter and halves betting, you are basically wagering on the outcome of either the individual quarter or the first or second half of the football game. For most sharp bettors, this is where the real money is in a football wager, as you can receive the spread, money line or total odds on the quarter or the specific half you wish to wager on. However, if you are planning on doing one of these bets, it’s important to know that you can only do first quarter and first half bets prior to the game, but second half, as well as second, third and fourth quarter wagers are available at the end of the first quarter.

The best way to become knowledgeable on these wagers is to practice. For instance, you should read the trends and reports on each team before the game, as some sportsbooks break down teams tendencies per quarter. An example of this is with the Cincinnati Bengals, who are notoriously slow starters, but as the game progresses, particularly in the third quarter, there is no better team to take in the NFL. Meaning to say, if you can find an underdog on the overall game, who is a fast starter, you may be able to turn a profit as well.

Another area to handicap is when a team is involved in a blowout. As has been the case with most of the games the Colts have played this season, the blowout is on by the second quarter. As a result, the starters come out of the game for the team blowing the Colts out, and then the Colts are able to put up points. You should handicap as to when you believe a team will take out their starters, as it can allow you the opportunity to bet against them and turn a profit.