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Different Ways to Gamble on the Super Bowl in 2020


by Chris Vasile - 1/22/2020

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

The Super Bowl is among the most watched and wagered on sporting events in the world. It generates hundreds of millions of viewers and rakes in nearly $160 million in wagers ($158.8 million was the total amount wagered on Super Bowl LII in Nevada alone).

For the next two weeks leading up to the big game, Doc's will have plenty of insight into how to handicap the game from various angles or with different trends. We will also bring you a host of free Super Bowl predictions , prop bets, and tips on how to get the most out of your Super Bowl bets .

So here we are, let's start with listing every single betting option available to bettors. It's should come as no surprise that there are a plethora of options for the public to consume on this standalone game. It doesn't matter if you're into football or not; having a wager down for a couple of bucks can turn a boring football game into an exciting social event.

Betting on the Point Spread

If you want to bet like the pros, this is the betting option for you. Betting on the point spread is the most popular way to bet on football. Sure, you can bet on the money line (picking which team is going to win the game), but the return will fluctuate based on odds. If you want to "lay the points" with the favorite team -- in this instance, the Chiefs are 1.5-point favorites - you'd be risking $110 to win $100. The Chiefs would then have to win the game by two or more points for you to cash your ticket. The opposite holds for the 49ers, whereas they can win the game, or lose by one point, and you to cash a ticket with SF +1.5 on it. If you are aspiring to be a quality NFL handicapper , sticking with the point spread and staying away from the below options is a must.

Betting on the Total

Next on the betting popularity totem pole is betting on the Super Bowl total . Now, this betting option is rather fickle and could be blown up rather quickly depending on which side you are on. The over could seem like a lock until both teams throw red zone interceptions or miss a chip shot field goal. Even more so, the under could seem like it's about to hit until a flurry of fourth-quarter scoring appears and pushes the game well over the posted total.

As far as Super Bowl LIV goes, the total is sitting right around 54, depending on which book you use. As a reminder, if you like the over then you will need at least 55 points in order to successfully cash your bet. Likewise, if you like the under you will be rooting for 53 points or less. Should the game happen to finish exactly on 54 points, you will "push" your bet and be

given a refund.

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In-Game Wagering

In-game wagering has taken off as a legitimate option available to bettors. In-game wagering allows bettors to get in on the action as the game plays out right before their very eyes. This is a great alternative for those bettors who may have missed the pre-game wagering window or think they have a great understanding of how the flow of the game is going.

In-game wagering presents great opportunities to wager on a pre-game favorite who is trailing in the game and getting a better line for a better price.

Super Bowl Game Props

This is where the Super Bowl betting gets a bit hairy. There are hundreds of Super Bowl props to choose from. And if the NFL can measure and track data, you can be certain that there will be a prop produced for you to wager on. For example, you can bet on the obvious props like quarterback passing attempts or touchdown passes, wide receiver receiving yards or the total number of receptions, rushing yards for each running back, total sacks, team total points, which team will commit a penalty first, and everything in between.

As I stated in the intro, money management plays a huge role in being a quality handicapper, which is why these types of prop bets are only wise to make if you have done extensive research on the two teams and have a firm belief in what you are wagering on. If that's the case, then there could be matchups that can be exploited for profit.

Exotic Props

Ask any sharp bettor how they feel about these "exotic" props and you'll get the same answer from every single one -- sucker bet. Exotic props are another way Vegas makes their money and rightfully so. Prop bets of these variety include; Length of National Anthem (in seconds - over or under), whether or not the National Anthem singer wears blue or red, whether or not the half time show sings a particular song first, or whether or not the commentators say a particular name or bring up a particular subject. These exotic props are typically juiced to the extreme, so turning a profit long term by betting these options is nearly impossible.

Cross-Sports Betting

Cross-sports betting options are great for those bettors who want as much action as possible throughout the day. These rare betting props combine the Big Game with another (or several other) games that are taking place either the same day or the night prior.

For example, the sportsbook would offer you the total number of Patrick Mahomes touchdown passes (-140) vs. the total number of goals the Blues score in their game on Saturday (+115).

Another way sportsbooks offer cross-sports betting is via the point spread. For example, you would have Raheem Mostert -17.5 rushing yards (-110) vs James Harden total points + Rebounds + assists (-110) -- or something along those lines.

Squares Pool

With all the online betting options available to bettors, Super Bowl Square Pools have become synonymous with the Super Bowl because of how easy they are to set up and play.

Simply put, you need a group of friends and someone to take charge organizing the pool. From there, you decide on how much your entry fee will be (can range anywhere from $5 to $500) and then determine the payouts.

When entering a Super Bowl squares pool, you buy one or more blocks and place your name somewhere on the giant square. If you buy multiple blocks, it would be wise to strategically spread them out. At some point before the game, once all the squares are sold, numbers are drawn 0-9 and each row receives two numbers, one corresponding with the final digit in the score of the Chiefs and one corresponding with the final digit in the score of the 49ers.

Write your numbers down so you remember them. At the end of each quarter, payouts are determined based on the score of the game. If you have numbers "4" for the Chiefs and "7" for the 49ers and the halftime score is 14-7 Chiefs, you win. The largest prize is usually reserved for the final score.

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