How to Bet on the Super Bowl: A Guide to Props & Live Bets

Sport Guides · 5 min read

How to Bet on the Super Bowl: A Guide to Props & Live Bets

The Super Bowl is more than just the biggest game in American sports; it's the single largest betting event of the year. For seasoned bettors and curious newcomers alike, it offers a dizzying array of ways to get in on the action. Forget just picking a winner—we're talking about everything from the coin toss to the color of the Gatorade bath.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. This guide will break down the most popular ways to bet on the Super Bowl, from long-term wagers to in-the-moment thrills. Let's dive in.

The Long Game: Super Bowl Futures

Long before the two final teams are decided, you can bet on who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy. This is called a futures bet.

What are Futures Bets?

A futures bet is a wager placed on an outcome that will be decided in the distant future. You can bet on a team to win the Super Bowl in August, during the preseason, or even midway through the regular season.

Example: In September, you see the Kansas City Chiefs listed at +600 odds to win the Super Bowl. If you bet $100 and they go on to win it all, you’d profit $600.

Pros:

  • **High Payouts:** The further out you place your bet, the better the odds and potential payout usually are.
  • **Season-Long Excitement:** A futures bet gives you a rooting interest that lasts for months.

    • Cons:

  • **Money is Tied Up:** Your stake is locked in for the entire season.
  • **High Risk:** Injuries, trades, and unexpected slumps can derail even the most promising team's chances.

    • Actionable Tip: Look for value. A championship-caliber team that has a slow start might see their futures odds lengthen, offering a great buying opportunity for a savvy bettor.

    The Main Event: Game Day Betting

    When the big day finally arrives, most of the action centers on three core bet types for the game itself.

    1. The Moneyline

    This is the simplest bet of all: Who will win the game? That's it. Each team is assigned odds, with a favorite and an underdog.

  • The **favorite** has a minus sign (-) and indicates how much you need to bet to win $100.
  • The **underdog** has a plus sign (+) and indicates how much you win for every $100 you bet.

    • Example:

  • San Francisco 49ers: -130 (You need to bet $130 to profit $100)
  • Kansas City Chiefs: +110 (A $100 bet profits $110)

    • 2. The Point Spread

    The point spread is designed to level the playing field between the favorite and the underdog. The favorite “gives” points, and the underdog “gets” points.

    Example: If the point spread is 49ers -2.5, it means:

  • For a bet on the **49ers** to win, they must win the game by 3 points or more.
  • For a bet on the **Chiefs (+2.5)** to win, they can either win the game outright or lose by 1 or 2 points.

    • The spread is often called “the great equalizer” and is one of the most popular ways to bet on football.

    3. The Total (Over/Under)

    Don't care who wins? You can bet on the total combined score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a number, and you bet whether the final score will be Over or Under that number.

    Example: If the total is set at 47.5 points:

  • **Over** bettors win if the combined score is 48 or more (e.g., 27-24).
  • **Under** bettors win if the combined score is 47 or less (e.g., 21-20).

    • The Fun Stuff: Prop Bets Galore

    This is where Super Bowl betting truly shines. A prop bet (short for proposition bet) is a wager on a specific event, outcome, or player performance within the game. The sheer volume of prop bets is staggering.

    Player Props

    These bets focus on an individual player's statistical performance.

  • **Passing/Rushing/Receiving Yards:** Patrick Mahomes Over/Under 285.5 passing yards.
  • **Touchdowns:** Christian McCaffrey to score a touchdown anytime.
  • **Receptions:** Travis Kelce Over/Under 6.5 receptions.

    • Actionable Tip: Research is your best friend here. Look at player matchups. Does a star receiver have a favorable matchup against a weak secondary? Does a running back face a stout defensive line?

    Game Props

    These are tied to game events that don't depend on a single player.

  • Which team will score first?
  • Will the first score be a touchdown or a field goal?
  • Will there be a safety?
  • Will the game go to overtime?

    • Novelty Props

    These are the famous, often silly bets that make Super Bowl parties so much fun. They have little to do with the on-field action and are mostly for entertainment.

  • **Coin Toss:** Heads or Tails?
  • **National Anthem:** Over/Under on the length of the performance.
  • **Gatorade Bath:** What color will the liquid be that’s dumped on the winning coach?

    • In The Moment: The Thrill of Live Betting

    The action doesn't stop at kickoff. Live betting (or in-game betting) allows you to place wagers while the game is happening. The odds and lines for spreads, moneylines, and totals are constantly updated in real-time based on the score, possession, and momentum.

    Strategies for Live Betting

  • **Watch the Game:** This is crucial. You can spot momentum shifts or player injuries before the odds fully adjust.
  • **Look for Value on Favorites:** If a heavy favorite gets off to a slow start and goes down by a touchdown, their live moneyline odds will become much more attractive than they were pre-game.
  • **Act Fast:** The live betting market moves quickly. To capitalize, you need to be decisive. Having a tool with integrated live scoreboards, like the ESPN-powered ones in the **SlipTrack** app, is a huge advantage. It helps you keep your eyes on the game and the odds without constantly switching between apps.

    • Building Your Super Bowl Betting Card

    So, how do you put it all together? Here are a few final tips:

    1. Manage Your Bankroll: This is the most important rule. Decide on a budget for the game and stick to it. Never bet more than you are comfortable losing.

    2. Diversify Your Bets: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Consider a mix: one main bet on the spread or total, a few player props based on your research, and a couple of fun novelty props.

    3. Do Your Homework (or find someone who has): Beyond your own research, you can lean on data-driven insights. For example, SlipTrack's AI, Action Al, crunches thousands of data points to generate its own picks, which can be a great way to gut-check your own instincts.

    4. Track Everything: Win or lose, tracking your bets is key to learning and improving. Using a tracker helps you see where you’re succeeding and keeps all your wagers organized in one place, with features like auto-settling so you know your results the second the game ends.

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    *Disclaimer:* *This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Sports betting should be a fun activity. Always bet responsibly, set limits, and never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.*