That mass appeal of the Super Bowl draws in plenty of new sports bettors, all wondering how to bet on the Super Bowl. Learn how to read Super Bowl LVIII betting odds and get tips and strategies with our comprehensive Super Bowl betting guide.
How to bet on Super Bowl odds
The first Super Bowl odds line oddsmakers release when the teams are set is the point spread, followed by the moneyline odds and the Over/Under total. Sportsbooks will then add to the Super Bowl betting options during the two-week ramp-up to Super Bowl Sunday.
Point spread: Pick who will cover
The point spread is the most popular way to bet on the Super Bowl.
It’s the perceived margin of victory of the game. The favorite is indicated by a negative value (-) in front of the spread, and the underdog is indicated by a positive value (+) in front of its spread.
For the favorite to cover the spread, it must win by more than the point spread. And, for the underdog to cover, it must win outright or lose by less than the spread.
In this example, the San Francisco 49ers are a -2-point favorite, and the Kansas City Chiefs are +2-point underdog. This means the Chiefs have to win by two or more points to cover the spread. Philadelphia could win outright or lose by just one point to cover the spread.
| Teams | Spread |
|---|---|
 San Francisco 49ers |
-2 (-110) |
 Kansas City Chiefs |
+2 (-110) |
When looking at Super Bowl point spread odds, bettors need to understand the vig or juice – the cost of the bet. Both sides of the point spread will have another set of odds attached, known as the vig or juice.
Vig will display next to the spreads: -2 (-110) / +2 (-110). Sportsbooks often use a flat -110 line for point spreads, which means you can win $1 for every $1.10 risked or wager $110 to win $100.
Over/Under: Will the combined score go Over or Under the total?
The Over/Under (also referred to as the total) is the projected total number of points scored by both teams. You can wager on whether the final score will go Over or Under that total.
In the example below, the Over/Under total is set at 47.5 points. If 48 or more points are scored, the game goes Over; if 47 points or fewer are scored, the game goes Under.
| Teams | Over/Under Total |
|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers |
OVER 47.5 (-110) |
| Kansas City Chiefs |
UNDER 47.5 (-110) |
As with point spread bets, the Super Bowl Over/Under has a vig assigned to either side of the total. Most bookmakers use a -110 line on Over/Under betting, meaning for every $1.10 risked, you would win $1 or bet $110 to win $100. It would display as Over 47.5 (-110) / Under 47.5 (-110).
Moneyline: Pick who wins the game
The moneyline is the most basic Super Bowl bet you can place: Simply pick the winner of the game.
In this example of Super Bowl moneyline odds, San Francisco is a -125 favorite, which means for every dollar you wish to win you have to wager $1.25. The Chiefs are a +100 moneyline underdog, which means for every $1 risked, you could win $1. Whichever team wins the game outright will be the moneyline winner.
| Teams | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers |
-125 |
| Kansas City Chiefs |
+100 |
Six other popular Super Bowl bet types
There's more to Super Bowl betting odds than the moneyline, point spread, and Over/Under totals. If you would like to add some fun alternative ways to bet on the Super Bowl, these are some of the most popular
Props: The fun bets!
Super Bowl prop bets are one of the most popular and growing markets when it comes to betting on the Big Game.
Props – also known as proposition bets – can vary in their terms and areas of focus. Props can be for specific team performance, player stats, or events throughout the game. These can be wagered on in Over/Under, Yes/No or head-to-head (involving spreads) options.
With a game this big there are thousands of different prop options to choose from, including which player will win MVP, the length of the national anthem, the coin toss, halftime show, and color of the Gatorade bath given to the winning coach.
Live betting: In-play wagering
Another way to bet on the Super Bowl is in-game wagering.
Most online and mobile sportsbooks will offer live betting odds, which constantly adjust to the action and outcomes that are happening on the field. And, for an event of this magnitude, Super Bowl live betting has a massive menu of in-play odds.
In-game lines will offer adjusted point spreads, moneylines, and Over/Under totals, as well as in-play prop odds, such as next team to score, next player to score a touchdown, and even the outcome of the next play.
Parlays: More risk, more payout
Betting a Super Bowl parlay is a good way to score a big payday on the Big Game. But be warned: A parlay bet is one of the riskier wagers you can place.
Parlays require you to tie together two or more bets and in return offer a greater possible win if all those bets are correct. The more bets added to the parlay, the greater the potential payout (and also the greater the risk). However, if even one of the bets included in the parlay loses, the entire parlay is graded as a loss.
Super Bowl parlays can include point spreads, moneylines, Over/Under totals, and props. If you parlayed Cincinnati +4 (-110) and Under 47.5 (-110) in Super Bowl LVI, a single $10 bet would have won $26.44.
Teasers: Moving numbers in your favor
Much like parlays, teasers require you to tie together two or more bets. However, teasers allow you to move spreads and Over/Unders up and down a set amount of points in your favor – normally six, 6.5, or seven points.
The number of points allotted as well as the number of bets included in the teaser will adjust the possible payout. And just like parlays, all the bets included in the teaser must be correct for it to be graded as a winner.
For example, a 6-point teaser for Super Bowl LVI on Cincinnati +4 and Under 47.5 would move those odds to Cincinnati +10 and Under 41.5. A single $10 bet on that teaser (-110) would have paid $9.09.
Derivatives: First quarter, first half, and more
Sportsbooks offer Super Bowl derivative odds on segments of the game – quarters and halves – allowing you to bet spreads, moneylines, over/under totals, and team totals designated to just those segments.
The first-quarter derivative spread for Super Bowl LVI was Los Angeles -1.5. This means that Los Angeles needs to be leading by two or more after the first quarter for this bet to win.
The first-quarter total for Super Bowl LVI was 9.5 points. This means that 10 or more points need to be scored for the Over to hit; the Under would be the winning wager if nine or fewer points are scored.
Futures: Year-round Super Bowl betting
With Super Bowl futures odds, you can bet on who you think will be the next NFL champion all year long. And if you’re holding a futures ticket on one of the two teams who end up playing in the Big Game, you’ll want to learn how you can hedge your Super Bowl bet.
Some sportsbooks even offer odds on the next Super Bowl before the current season is even over. Super Bowl odds are currently live at many online betting sites.
Super Bowl betting tips and strategies
There’s no shortage of information to base your Super Bowl bets on. No game in sports is more dissected and analyzed over the two-week ramp up to Super Sunday, but there are some things you might not know about Super Bowl betting. On top of getting to know the two teams competing for the Lombardi Trophy, make sure to use these tips to make the best Super Bowl bets.
Follow line movement
It's important to follow the Super Bowl line movement to know the best time to make a Super Bowl bet. The Super Bowl is unique in that it has two weeks to take action from bettors. Generally, we see the bulk of the line movement in the few hours after the Super Bowl odds are released and in the final 24-48 hours before kickoff — which is when the bulk of the bets are placed. If you’re looking for a certain number to bet, jump in early or look to bet late.
Create a narrative
Depending on how you’re betting the Super Bowl spread and total, you will want to create a narrative for how the game will play out and how you’ll bet on Super Bowl props.
When betting on the team with better defense or the Under, you may want to look to bet on the Over for the number of sacks or interceptions or the Under on the opponents’ offensive props.
If you’re betting the Over, you should back up that prediction with bets on the Over for the number of touchdowns, passing yards, or other positive offensive props.
Look beyond the spread and total
The spread and total are the most popular ways to wager on the Super Bowl. However, if you don’t have a strong opinion on either, there are thousands of other ways to wager on the Big Game. Props, team totals, derivatives, and alternative lines can offer great value and provide just as much profit as the mainstream markets. Don’t limit yourself.
Bet smart, not big
Just because it’s the “Big Game” doesn’t mean you need to bet big. You should have a dedicated bankroll set aside for the Super Bowl and designate your wager size on the odds and props you feel most confident about. Always play within your means, regardless of whether it’s Super Sunday.
Bet at a reputable sportsbook
Where you bet is as important as what you bet. If the Super Bowl is your first time signing up for a sportsbook, be sure to read reviews and ratings for the best legal Super Bowl betting sites available in your area. Consider payment methods, bonuses, and odds available, but also dig into any issues others have had with those operators and rules around withdrawing winnings.
What can we learn from past Super Bowls?
Football bettors should treat each contest on a game-to-game basis, even a game as big as the Super Bowl. There are, however, some tips and betting trends from past NFL championships that can help point you to profits.
Early action has been right
When oddsmakers set the Super Bowl point spread, bettors should pay close attention to the early opinion and to which team the spread moves in favor of.
The early line movement has predicted the ATS winner in 11 of the last 15 Super Bowls. However, the spread for Super Bowl LVI opened Los Angeles -3.5 and first moved to -4 but L.A. won the game 23-20 and failed to cover as a 4-point favorite.
Low-scoring first quarters
One of the most profitable Super Bowl betting trends is betting the Under in the first quarter props, team totals and derivative totals. There has been a total of just 109 points scored in the first quarter of the past 15 Super Bowls. That’s an average of only 7.3 points per first quarter. Teams are a little nervous and tight in the opening 15 minutes of the championship game, and that has led to lower-scoring opening frames. That past three Big Games have each had a total of 10 points scored in the opening quarter.
Take the team that scores first
If you’re live betting the Super Bowl or have a solid read on which team will find the scoreboard first, you will want to remember that the team that scores first has won 37 of the past 56 Super Bowls, including winning eight of the last 10.
Super Bowl against the spread trends
Breaking down the basic Super Bowl records, betting favorites are 37-19 straight up and 27-26-2 against the spread in 56 Super Bowls (two Super Bowls pushed with the closing spread and one closed as a pick’em). Underdogs have covered in 13 of the last 21 Big Games (one pick’em).
Super Bowl betting mistakes
The Super Bowl has plenty of pitfalls for bettors and with a game this big, the losses can get even bigger. If you're looking for more ways to sharpen your skills, don't fall for these Super Bowl betting mistakes.
Betting too big
Perhaps the gravest error you can make when wagering on the Super Bowl is betting too big and beyond your means. Bettors should have a dedicated bankroll and stick to it, avoiding getting in over their heads when it comes to wagering.
Contradicting bets
Another mistake many bettors make, especially with the endless options of Super Bowl odds, is contradicting your wagers. Someone who places a bet on the Over will want to stick to that narrative and avoid betting on props that would work against the original opinion. If you like a high-scoring game, you don’t want to bet Unders on the quarterbacks’ prop markets.
Chasing losses
One crucial no-no that’s not reserved for the Super Bowl but can be exasperated by the Big Game hype is chasing your bets. This pertains to in-game live odds. If your pregame wagers aren’t looking so good, refraining from chasing those potential losses by betting the other side in the in-play markets or throwing cash at random props trying to make that money up. These wild live bets are often made on impulse with little thought or research.
How to place a bet on the Super Bowl
The draw of the Super Bowl has many fans betting on football for the first time. Here’s a step-by-step process for placing a bet on the Super Bowl:
Choose a betting site
Research the best Super Bowl betting sites in your area and read reviews and ratings, identify banking methods, as well as the available odds markets for bets you want to place.
Sign up for an account
Once you find the sportsbook that fits those needs, register for an account and deposit money into your sportsbook via one of the banking methods available.
Browse the odds
Once your account is activated and funded, browse through the Super Bowl odds and Super Bowl props and find the bets you want to place.
Place your bets
Add those bets to your bet card and designate the wager type and amount of money risked on each. Double-check that the bets and wager size are correct, then click submit/place a bet.
Review your bets
View your active bets to confirm the bets have been accepted successfully.
Watch your wagers play out
Grab your favorite snack and a cold drink, find a comfy seat, turn on the Super Bowl, and enjoy the excitement of betting on the Big Game.
Super Bowl 58 FAQs
Super Bowl LVIII will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada on February 11, 2024.
Super Bowl LVIII is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The San Francisco 49ers opened as 2.5-point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs with the total set at 47.5 points.
Yes. Super Bowl and NFL handicap betting does include overtime unless the original bet states otherwise.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 to win Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Patrick Mahomes earned Super Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
The ESPN matchup predictor for the NFL can provide useful insights, but it's important to remember that no prediction system is foolproof. This tool uses the company's Football Power Index (FPI) to generate its predictions, taking into account factors such as team performance, strength of schedule, and projected starting lineups. While it can often be accurate, there are always unpredictable elements in any sport – for example, injuries, weather conditions, or even an off-day for a key player – that can result in unexpected outcomes. Therefore, it should be used as one of several tools in your decision-making process when placing bets, rather than being relied upon exclusively. Always make sure to do your own player and team analysis to back up any statistical model prediction.
