Super Bowl betting do's and don'ts
The Super Bowl is a sports-betting extravaganza. Nearly everyone tuning in to watch the Eagles and Chiefs will have some action on the game - whether with a bet on a sportsbook or a friendly wager at their Super Bowl party.
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the Super Bowl. But we're here to help you make your viewing experience more enjoyable with simple do's and don'ts.
Don't - Bet the coin toss if the odds aren't even money
We all know the house takes a little bit off the top for every wager placed on a sportsbook. Juice, or "vig," is a part of the sports-betting business, but there's no point in paying it for the truest 50-50 shot of them all - a coin flip.
Do - Bet the coin toss only if you're getting even odds
OK, so you really want action on the opening coin toss, but you can't find any takers at your Super Bowl party willing to challenge the "tails never fails" mantra. The only advisable way to do so is by finding a book offering +100 (even money) odds on both sides of the coin toss. Thankfully, theScoreBet and ESPN Bet are offering these odds, so have at it if you must!
Do - Bet on touchdown scorers
What's better than picking someone to score a touchdown and shifting to the edge of your seat as their team nears the goal line? Touchdowns are what everyone is rooting for, so increase that excitement with a wager on an anytime touchdown scorer or, if you're feeling a bit riskier, the first TD scorer of the game.
Don't - Go overboard, though
With all that said, not every offensive player can punch one in. If you bet on too many players, there's a chance you end up with fewer dollars in your pocket by the game's end, even though you've bet on multiple touchdown scorers correctly.
Do - Bet unders
One of the biggest mistakes recreational bettors make is their tendency to bet overs. Whether it's the over on the game or the over on an individual's player props, people want to see points and big plays, so it's natural to hope players will perform above expectations.
But betting unders can be far more profitable. Sure, no one wants to be the person at a party hoping a running back gets stuffed at the line of scrimmage or cheering when a receiver drops a pass, but those types of plays happen all the time. Why not target players you think may have a down game on the big stage and bet their unders?
Do - Bet with your head, not your heart
Perhaps you're a die-hard Cowboys or disgruntled Giants fan, and you never want to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Don't let that cloud your judgment when picking a winner. Just because you despise the Eagles doesn't mean they can't win.
On the flip side, maybe you're tired of seeing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy and betting on the Eagles as a result. Don't. Bet with your head, not your heart, which goes for every wager you place.
Don't - Get caught up in goofy novelty bets
While it can be fun to bet on the color of Gatorade the winning team will dump on their head coach or how many times Taylor Swift will appear on the broadcast, you're just guessing. These markets have zero predictability, so don't get carried away with the buffet of novelty bets that sportsbooks offer.
Do - Bet within your means
Just because it's the Big Game doesn't mean you have to spend big. It can be easy to get carried away by placing multiple same-game parlays in hopes of cashing in on a big payday. But if you only have $20 to spend, you must budget accordingly.