The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in the United States and the biggest betting event. According to ESPN, $23.1 billion was bet on the game for Super Bowl LIIX last season.
The big game will be held in the Big Easy, New Orleans, and this Super Bowl LIX betting guide will show you all you need to know about how to bet on the Super Bowl. You will learn about the bets, how to bet on the Super Bowl online, how to look for bonuses and promotions, and Super Bowl betting strategies.
Super Bowl Betting Options Explained
With so many wagers available, it’s important to understand your options before placing a bet. Whether looking at traditional bets like the spread and money line or more advanced wagers like parlays and live betting, knowing how each works can help you make smarter decisions.
Below, we break down the most popular Super Bowl bets.
The Bets 🎯
Regarding the Super Bowl, there are tons of betting options. If you want to know how to bet on the Super Bowl, you must be aware of all those options. We will expand on the bet types available: the spread, money line, total, parlay, proposition bets, live betting, and futures. There are a few other betting options, such as teasers and pleasers, but here, we will explain the more popular wagers.
For the examples, we will return to Super Bowl LIIX, in which the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 overtime. The 49ers were a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5.
The Spread 📊
The bookmakers put out the spread to try to get even a money bet on the game so they will turn a profit. In a spread bet the favorite is shown by the – in front of the number and underdog is shown by the + in front. So, for the last Super Bowl, the 49ers were the favorite at -1.5, with the Chiefs the underdog at +1.5. If you bet on the 49ers taking the spread, they need to win by at least two more points; if you bet on the Chiefs, they need to win or lose by fewer than two points.
For the Super Bowl last season the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25-22, so KC covered the spread, and San Francisco did not.
Totals 📈
The totals bet is also known as the Over/Under bet, as you are betting if the total number of points scored by both teams will be over or under the total. In the Super Bowl last year, the total was 46.5 and the final score was 25-22, so 47 points were scored. So, in this example the over would be the winning bet and the under the losing one.
Moneyline 💰
The moneyline is simply betting on a team to win with no spread, and the odds reflect the favorite and the underdog. So, the moneyline for the KC vs. San Fran game would have been:
- 49ers -130
- Chiefs +110
Like the spread bet, the – in front of the number represents the favorite, with the + representing the underdog. Using a $100 bet to show the example, you are betting $130 to win $100 on the 49ers and $100 to win $110 on the Chiefs.
Because you are just picking a winner with no handicap, you are betting more to win less on the 49ers and less to win more on the Chiefs.
Parlays 🎲
A parlay is multiple bets, called legs, in one bet, and you have to win all the bets for the parlay to be a winner. You can make parlays with two or more picks and the more legs in the parlay the better the payout, but the harder it is for the bet to win. The legs can be spreads, totals, moneylines and proposition bets in a single bet. You can make the same sports parlays, cross sports ones, and same-game game parlays.
An example of a three-leg same-game parlay for last year's Super Bowl would be:
- 🏈 Bet on the Chiefs at +1.5
- 📊 Betting on the Over in the game
- 🎯 Betting on if Patrick Mahomes will pass for over/under 265.5 yards
Live Betting ⚡
Live betting involves placing bets while the game is happening. It is fast and furious, and the odds will change depending on what is happening in the game. For example, the Chiefs were the slight 1.5-point underdog for the game last season, and if they had gotten off to a great start, outscoring the 49ers in the first quarter, the live bet odds would have changed, making them the favorite.
How to Bet on the Super Bowl Online
Here are the steps to take to bet on the Super Bowl online.
- Choose a top NFL sportsbook (sports betting has to be legal in the state where you make a Super Bowl bet).
- Open an account – Create a username and password and input some required information.
- Deposit money into your sportsbook account.
- Go to the sportsbook's ‘NFL' or ‘Super Bowl' section and check out all the bets available.
- Choose the bet you want to make and how much you want to wager, and confirm the bet.
- Wait until the game ends; if your bet wins, the money will be in your sportsbook account.
Look for Super Bowl Bonuses and Promotions
No matter what sport you like to bet on you should always look for bonuses and promotions to pad your bankroll. When it comes to the Super Bowl most sportsbooks will offer bonuses and promotions for it, such as profit boosts, same game parlay promos, parlay insurance, and more.
Also, if you are new to sports betting and want to join a sportsbook to bet on the Super Bowl, always look for welcome offers that offer bonus money for opening an account.
Super Bowl Betting Strategies
You must use a licensed sportsbook when you make a Super Bowl bet or any sports bet. You also need to ensure that sports betting is legal in the state where you want to make the bet.
✅ Key Strategy Tips
- Use licensed sportsbooks only
- Do thorough research
- Never chase losses
- Follow line movement
⚠️ Things to Avoid
- Betting with emotions
- Ignoring research
- Using unlicensed sportsbooks
- Betting too early before kickoff
Use a licensed sportsbook
When you make a Super Bowl bet or any sports bet, you must use a licensed sportsbook and ensure that sports betting is legal in the state where you want to make the bet.
Do your homework
If you are serious about betting on Super Bowl LIX you should handicap the bet you want to make. The more you research the game regarding such things as injury reports, recent form, and past matchups the smarter the bet you will make, which is more likely to win. You must bet with your head and not with your emotions.
Never chase losses
Chasing losses is betting more on a game to recoup past losses. You should chip away at losses rather than trying to get all your money back with one bet. For example, if you took a loss for the season, it is not a good idea to bet big on the Super Bowl to try to get it back. Chasing losses is the quickest way to get a big hole in terms of losing money.
Follow the line movement
The line for the Super Bowl will change depending on how the public bets. Do not bet on the game too early; you may get more favourable odds closer to kickoff. Many sports bettors know this, so most bets will occur 1-2 days before kickoff.
To Sum it Up
Hopefully, this Super Bowl LIX betting guide has taught you about betting on the Big Game. Super Bowl betting offers plenty of excitement and opportunities, but success comes down to strategy and discipline. Understanding the different bet types, choosing a licensed sportsbook, and taking advantage of promotions can enhance your experience.
Enjoy the action, bet responsibly, and make the most of the year's biggest game.
Note: Not in a state that allows sports betting? You might be able to wager online with your state lottery. For example, new players in Michigan can sign up with the MI Lottery promo code and play hundreds of online games.