The sports world is about to embark on one of the best runs of premium events of the calendar year. The Super Bowl kicks things off in February before it gives way to March Madness, which leads into the Masters, which is followed by the NBA and NHL playoffs and the NFL draft.
With the legalization of sports betting growing in the United States, and plenty of other opportunities to place wagers, many people will be checking the Super Bowl stats during and especially after the game. The reality is this has taken place for many years before sports betting was legalized, but even those states are seeing the benefits as sports handle continually grows.
Certainly not legal, but a great fundraiser for youth sports teams and other entities is offering Super Bowl squares. The chance at cash prizes for the correct score after the first, second, third, and fourth quarters or overtime is something that draws people in. It can also be done as an office or company pool and otherwise.
Capitalizing on entertainment
There is a lot of attention that the Super Bowl draws that is not from fans of the two teams competing. The National Football League has built a great fan experience, especially for those who are at home. There are so many parties that occur for the big game that feature different cultural backgrounds, men and women, sports fans, and those who couldn’t care less.
Part of the reason it is such a spectacle is the amount charged per commercial, which causes advertisers to bring their best – whether a comical encounter, dramatic, romantic, or otherwise. The commercials are equally enjoyable to the game for some. So, too, is the halftime show which typically features a music superstar.
Game within the game
While all fantasy football leagues are over by the time the Super Bowl kicks off, there is still an opportunity to play daily fantasy sports. That is enough to keep some fans engaged as they pick their players and cheer them on throughout.
But the most common handle taken in is on sports betting. And there are so many opportunities to bet on different parts of the game. That includes those that have nothing to do with the two teams.
There are prop bets on the coin toss – a 50/50 shot – what color the Gatorade is for the post-game Gatorade dump on the winning coach, how long the national anthem will last, and plenty more.
Then there are all the usual bets, whether against the spread, moneyline, over/under, or any number of player and team prop bets. Here are some tips before hitting the betting slip.
Betting tips
The aforementioned opportunities to bet on the Super Bowl are great leading up into the game, but there are opportunities to bet ahead of time. Taking the Super Bowl odds for a match-up and the winner is always an attractive opportunity. Consider who is healthy and who is playing well entering the postseason because those two factors can go a long way into deciding who plays for the title.
When it gets closer to game time once the matchup is decided, figuring out where the majority of bets are going and where the majority of the money is going – there are websites that track that – can lead to the best bet for some. Being able to go against the public is uncomfortable but can often be profitable, too.
Prior to the game is when prop bets can be made. The injury report is big for how certain players may step up. Other research is worthwhile if the teams played during the regular season; figuring out what offense can beat a specific defense – for instance, a tight end is a great weapon against cover 2 – can lead to profitable outcomes on player props. Also, develop a game story with the bets and see what makes the most sense, especially if building parlays, too.
There are other opportunities to make a quick buck, such as picking against the spread after the first quarter or first half. Looking at trends from past Super Bowls and each team that season can allow for other betting advantages.
