Super Bowl betting: What you need to know

Super Bowl betting. Credit/Si.com]

One of the most-watched events in the world, the Super Bowl is the climax of the NFL season and a social event as well as a sporting spectacle. Millions of fans watch the game with friends and family, while across the globe, football fans stay up late to see the action in its entirety.

 As you would expect, the Super Bowl betting action is frenetic. Days before the big game, fans across the US are checking out the Super Bowl odds across a bewildering range of markets, looking for the best bet. The legalization of sports betting in many US states means that more fans than ever before will be able to bet on the next Super Bowl in February 2023.

 That also means that many people will be betting on the Super Bowl for the first time. So, if you’re a newcomer, what do you need to know before you bet on this spectacular event?

 Choosing your market

When you’re betting on the Super Bowl, there is a huge selection of betting markets to choose from, so it is important to know how each one works.

 Moneyline

This is the most popular form of Super Bowl bet. With the Moneyline bet, you are betting on which of the two teams will win the game. Moneyline odds appear as three-figure numbers with favourites having a minus sign next to their odds. The numbers refer to how much you would need to bet in order to win $100. The underdogs have a plus sign, and in this case, the odds tell you how much you would win if you bet $100 on that team.

 Point Spread

For this market, bookmakers offer a spread that describes the difference between the two teams in points. With this bet, you can either back the underdogs to win or to lose by fewer points than the spread, or back the favourites to win by this number of points or more.

 Over/Under

The Over/Under markets are based on whether both teams will score a combined total of more or fewer points than the quote during the whole game or a specific stretch of the Super Bowl. You can bet on whether you think the total points scored will be higher or lower than the bookmaker quote.

 Super Bowl prop bets

Super Bowl prop. Credit/the sportsgeek.com]

Super Bowl propositions or prop bets are incredibly popular and cover a wide range of possibilities. You may place bets on anything, including who will perform the National Anthem and who will score the game’s opening touchdown. There are also props for the Super Bowl MVP, the quarterback who throws the most touchdown passes and yards, and even the halftime show!

 Where to bet on the Super Bowl

 Depending on which state you are based in, there may be many bookmakers that you can use to bet on the Super Bowl, either in person or online. However, it is important to make sure that you only bet with regulated and licensed operators. All operators should display their licensing credentials on their sites, and if you need further clarification, you can usually contact your state’s betting regulator.

 Super Bowl betting tips

The Super Bowl can be an unpredictable event and as with all sports betting, the bookmakers will set the odds in such a way that they can profit from whatever happens – a luxury not open to sports bettors! However, there are some simple tips that can help to give you an edge and minimize your losses.

 Get the best odds

Bookmakers don’t all have the same odds in the same markets. That’s why it can make sense to check out several sites to find the best odds. Getting the best price on a bet can be the difference between making a profit or taking a loss, so it is worth taking the time to do this.

 Go easy on the prop bets

 The Super Bowl is a keenly anticipated event and bookmakers offer an enormous range of prop bets, many of them unusual if not impossible to predict. Don’t get drawn into betting on these at random or on instinct. Stick to a set bankroll, using money that you can afford to lose and focus on the markets that you feel you have a chance of doing well in.

 Check the stats

The NFL is awash with stats, and a little digging can often be worth your while. Even if you know the teams involved in the Super Bowl well, it is worth looking into the statistical record of this event as one-off games of this nature often have their own peculiarities that mean regular NFL rules don’t apply.