The biggest sports betting event of the year is almost here, and it’s the perfect time to examine all of the different ways you can bet on the Super Bowl.
With sports betting now legal (in some form) in 38 states and the District of Columbia, Super Bowl betting handle in the US is expected to exceed the estimated $ 16 billion bet on the Big Game last year.
From bets on the spread, moneyline, and total to props and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with this primer.
Related: Super Bowl 2024 betting odds | How to bet on NFL games
Super Bowl 58 betting guide
Let’s start with the basics: spread, moneyline, and total. Here are live odds on Super Bowl 58 at top-rated sportsbooks that reflect those:
You’ll notice that the odds can differ depending on the sportsbook. That’s why it is critical to line shop at multiple sportsbooks for the best odds on your bets.
Point Spread
Straight bets are made on the point spread, which is created by oddsmakers to weigh the relative strength of the opposing teams. San Francisco is a slight favorite over Kansas City in Super Bowl 58.
- Chiefs +2
- 49ers -2
If you’re betting on the favorite, the 49ers will need to win by at least three points to cover the spread. Like the underdog? The Chiefs can lose by one point and you’ll still win that bet. If the 49ers win the game by exactly two, bets on both sides “push”, meaning you get your stake back.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets only require your chosen team to win the game outright. There is no point spread involved.
- Chiefs +110
- 49ers -130
A $ 100 bet on the underdog Chiefs will pay out $ 110 (and your stake back) if Kansas City wins. A $ 130 wager on the favored 49ers will return $ 100 (and your stake back) if San Francisco wins.
Total
The total is the combined number of points scored by both teams. You’re betting UNDER or OVER that number. In this case, the total for Super Bowl 58 is 47.5. OVER bettors need a minimum of 48 points scored to win their bet. UNDER bettors can have no more than 47 points scored to cash their tickets.
Props
Prop bets are made on things that don’t involve the actual outcome of the game. They have become synonymous with the Super Bowl over the years. Sportsbooks go to great lengths to to give bettors action on as many Super Bowl props as possible.
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas continues to lead the way with a 36-page booklet that includes more than 500 props on Super Bowl 58.
Exotic props are offered on the length of the national anthem, color of Gatorade dumped on the winning coach and the opening coin toss. Player props are available on the number of passing, rushing or receiving yards. Check out the passing yards prop for Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes and San Franicsco’s Brock Purdy here:
Again, you’re betting UNDER or OVER the posted number of passing yards here. There are also props available on TD scorers in Super Bowl 58:
If a player, for example, is offered at +250 as an anytime TD scorer, a $ 100 bet will return $ 250 (and your stake back) if he scores. There are also odds available on the first and last TD scorer of the game as well as players to have multiple TDs. Team props can involve number of points scored, method of victory, total TDs scored and more.
Shop Super Bowl props: DraftKings Super Bowl props | FanDuel Super Bowl props | BetMGM Super Bowl props
Futures
Futures odds on the Super Bowl are offered throughout the calendar year. At the start of the season, you’ll see odds offered on all 32 NFL teams. These odds are fluid and change over the course of the season depending on a team’s performance, key injuries, and other factors. With only two teams remaining, however, you’re making a moneyline bet on either Kansas City or San Francisco (see above).
There is also a futures market that offers odds on the Super Bowl MVP.
Quarterbacks usually win the award, so it makes sense that Mahomes and Purdy are the betting favorites for Super Bowl 58.
Parlays
Parlays allow you to predict multiple outcomes, but you’ll need all of them to be correct to win the bet. We’ll keep it simple to explain.
- Super Bowl 58 parlay bet: Chiefs +2 & OVER 47.5
With this wager, you’ll need to Chiefs to cover the spread (win or lose by one point) and the combined number of points to be at least 48. A $ 100 bet will return $ 260 (and your stake back) if that plays out. The more outcomes or legs you add to your parlay, the harder it is to win but more profitable if you do.
Same Game Parlays
SGPs have become all the rage on the best sports betting apps. This is a single bet that combines multiple outcomes from the same game. You need all of them to win.
- Chiefs moneyline
- Chiefs OVER 23.5 points
- Chiefs OVER 2.5 touchdowns
At DraftKings, this Super Bowl 58 SGP was offered at +190 odds. Here’s the breakdown:
- Bet Amount: $ 100
- Parlay Odds: +190
- Implied Probability: 34.48%
- Potential Payout: $ 290 ($ 190 in winnings and $ 100 stake back)
Beginner’s Guide to Sports Betting: What is a parlay bet?
Teaser
Teasers resemble parlays in that multiple outcomes are required to win. But teasers allow you to move the spread or total six points in any direction. Here’s a Super Bowl 58 teaser:
- Chiefs +8
- OVER 41.5
You’ve increased the number of points for the Chiefs by six, and decreased the number of points on the total to 41.5.
Let’s say the 49ers win 27-20. You still cashed your teaser!
Live Bets
Live bets are also known as in-game wagers. They take place after a game has started. Sportsbooks offer updated odds for the spread, moneyline, total and more in real time. You need to have a trusted sports betting app to compete in the marketplace. That leads us perfectly into this…
Top sportsbooks for betting on Super Bowl 58
Here are the best sports betting apps to use when wagering on Super Bowl 58. New users can claim thousands of dollars in bonus bets to use on the Big Game.
