How to Bet on the Super Bowl: A Simple Guide for Beginners
The Super Bowl is the biggest betting event of the year in the United States, and billions of dollars are wagered on it. Even people who don’t normally bet throw a few dollars on this spectacle. If you’re new to sports betting or just want a refresher, here is a guide on how Super Bowl betting works.
Whether you’re placing a serious wager or just doing it for fun, understanding the basics can make the experience a lot more enjoyable.
How to Bet on Super Bowl
There are several steps involved in the process, and we will list them here. Following the release of the Super Bowl odds, here are the actions a bettor has to take to place a bet on the Super Bowl.
Pick A Betting Website
Choosing the best website for Super Bowl betting is ground zero of the entire operation. Everyone has to find a brand for their activities, and luckily, we have already come up with the list of the best offshore sportsbooks for US players.
Open an Account
Step two would be to open an account at your desired sportsbook. This process is pretty simple and involves providing your e-mail address and some basic personal info. For verification, sportsbooks will need to ask for a government-issued ID.
Find the Odds and Betting Markets
There are plenty of Super Bowl odds available, and bettors have to find what best suits their needs and assessments. Many focus only on moneylines and spreads, but when you look at the greater picture, props, futures, and bet builders are all included.
Placing Bets
After all this, there’s a moment of placing the bet. When a bettor decides on his final pick, he has to pick an amount for wagering (stake), pick the unit size, add the pick to the betting slip, and confirm the bet.
After this, all he can do is wait to see how things unfold.
The Most Common Super Bowl Bets
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest bet you can make. You’re just picking which team will win the game.
- Favorites have negative odds (you need to bet more to win less)
- Underdogs have positive odds (you win more than you risk)
This is a good option if you don’t want to worry about point spreads or totals, or have a clear idea about the winner.
Point Spread
Point spread betting evens the matchup by giving one team a handicap.
For example:
- A team listed at -3.5 must win by 4 or more points
- A team listed at +3.5 can win outright or lose by 3 or fewer points
This is one of the most popular Super Bowl bets because it offers more balanced odds than the moneyline.
Over/Under (Totals)
Totals betting focuses on the combined score of both teams.
Sportsbooks set a number, and you decide whether the final score will go:
- Over the total
- Under the total
You don’t need to pick a winner — just whether the game will be high-scoring or more defensive.
Super Bowl Prop Bets
Prop bets (short for proposition bets) are a huge part of Super Bowl betting. These bets focus on specific events rather than the final outcome.
Common prop bets include:
- Which player scores the first touchdown
- Total passing yards for a quarterback
- Will there be a successful two-point conversion
- Coin toss result
- Gatorade color dumped on the winning coach
Props are popular because they add entertainment value and don’t require deep football knowledge.
Super Bowl Parlays and Futures
Parlays
A parlay combines multiple bets into one ticket. All selections must win for the bet to cash, but the payout is higher. Parlays are risky, but many bettors enjoy using small stakes for a chance at a big win.
Futures
Futures bets are placed well before the Super Bowl and focus on long-term outcomes, such as which team will win the championship.
These bets lock up your money longer but often come with better odds.
Super Bowl Live Betting
In-play or live betting is a type of betting while the action is underway. In this case, it means a bettor can place bets while the Super Bowl game is on.
This type of betting offers the chance to predict specific developments based on the current field situation. Super Bowl live betting odds are updated in real time, and the changes are quick, meaning the bettor’s reaction has to be very fast, though rational and thoughtful.
Betting markets are diverse and include everything from the final winner and total to spreads and player props for rushing, scoring touchdowns, etc.
Tips for Betting the Super Bowl
- Shop for the best odds — different sportsbooks often offer different lines
- Don’t overbet just because it’s the Super Bowl
- Research injuries, matchups and weather, not just team records
- Have fun with prop bets, but don’t chase long shots
- Set a budget and stick to it
The Super Bowl is one of the few events where betting is as much about entertainment as profit.
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl betting doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re betting the spread, taking the over, or throwing a few dollars on props, the key is understanding what you’re wagering on.
With so many options available, the Super Bowl offers something for every type of bettor — from beginners to seasoned veterans.
