If you are new to AFL betting, the numbers and markets can feel like a different language at first. The good news is that footy punting is far simpler than it looks once you understand the basics. Most bets fall into a small number of core markets, and once you know how they work, everything else starts to click.
This guide is designed to help you get comfortable with the AFL landscape for the 2026 season. It breaks down how to read the board, explains the most common markets, and shows how lines and multis work in AFL games.
AFL Betting Guide: How to Read Markets, Lines and Multis
Understanding how betting markets work is just as important as knowing the teams themselves. Prices, lines, and totals all reflect how a game is expected to be played and learning how to read them can help you make more informed decisions across the season. Whether you are weighing up an early-season clash or a Friday night blockbuster, the same betting principles apply every week.
How AFL Odds and Payouts Work
When you open a sports betting app, the first thing you will notice is a price next to each team. These numbers tell you which side is favoured and how much you stand to win if your bet is successful.
Shorter prices, such as $1.40, belong to favourites. Longer prices, like $3.50, indicate the underdog. To work out your return, simply multiply your stake by the price. For example, a $10 bet at $2.00 returns $20, which includes your original $10 stake. While favourites win more often, value is not always found at the shortest price; seeing how the prices move helps you understand how confident the market really is in each team.
Head to Head Betting: Picking the Winner
Head to Head betting is the most straightforward AFL market. You are backing one team to win the match outright, regardless of the final margin. If you back Essendon Head to Head, it does not matter whether they win by a single point or ten goals. A win is a win.
AFL draws are uncommon, but they do occur. When a match ends level, most Australian bookmakers apply Dead Heat rules. Your stake is split in half: one portion is paid as a win and the other is treated as a loss. It is not something you will see often, but it is worth being aware of for those nail-biting finishes.
AFL Line Betting: Levelling the Playing Field
In AFL betting, the "line" is the point handicap applied by the bookmaker to turn a match into an even $1.90 contest. While it is often used when one team is stronger, lines are available for every game to give punters a fifty-fifty betting option.
If the line is set at 15.5 points, it works as follows:
- The Favourite (-15.5): They are "giving" the underdog a head start. For a bet on the favourite to win, they must win by 16 points or more. If they win by exactly 15 points, the bet loses because they failed to "cover" the handicap.
- The Underdog (+15.5): They are "receiving" a head start. A bet on the underdog wins if they win the game outright or if they lose by 15 points or fewer.
The use of the half-point (.5) is a deliberate tactic by bookmakers to prevent a "push" (a tie). Since you cannot score half a point in the AFL, the bet must result in a definitive win or loss.
Because of the high-scoring nature of Australian Rules, the line is often in play until the very last second. "Junk time" goals can be devastating or heroic for line bettors, as a late snap from the pocket can be the difference between a team covering the spread or falling just short.
Over and Under Total Points
The Total Points market focuses on the combined score of both teams rather than who wins or loses. It is a popular option when you have a strong view on the style of the game but not necessarily the result.
A total of 165.5 means you are betting on whether the final combined score finishes over or under that number. Games played under a roof at Marvel Stadium or in dry, calm conditions often suit higher totals, while wet or windy matches at the MCG or SCG tend to produce lower, more defensive scores.
Same Game Multis: Building a Bigger Play
Same Game Multis allow you to combine multiple selections from the same match into a single bet for higher odds. This might include the match winner, a specific goal scorer, and a player to reach a certain disposal count.
All selections must be correct for the bet to win. While the potential payout can increase quickly, the risk increases just as fast. Same Game Multis can be a fun way to engage with a match, but they are best approached with smaller stakes while you are still learning the ropes of player performance and game flow.
Get Expert AFL Betting Tips
Now that you have a handle on how the markets work, it is time to look at the matchups. Before You Bet provides comprehensive AFL betting tips for every game of the season, featuring in-depth analysis and value plays to help you stay ahead of the game!
