Super Bowl XLVII: Don’t Forget About Prop Bets
Super Bowl 47 betting is at a fever pitch right now. Everyone wants a piece of The Big Game, even if they don’t care about football. Let’s assume the commercials will suck and Beyonce doesn’t sing live at halftime. If you’re not into the game, or either team, there are still a million ways to have fun. I’m talking prop bets.
From the coin flip to whether the first TD is scored by an even or odd numbered player, the propositional bets are a favorite. I do a sheet of 50 prop bets every Super Bowl with a good friend. We bet on whether the first pass play is complete or incomplete, whether either defense will score during the game, and if the first TD is scored in the end zone labeled “San Francisco” or the one that reads “Baltimore.”
While the hardcore gamblers focus on Super Bowl 47 Odds (the over/under, the point spread), I’m more concerned with whether the first defensive penalty is on the Niners or the Ravens. So, my buddy and I bet on 50 such items at $1 apiece. Usually one guy owes the other three bucks since they are essentially random bets.
So if you want to bet that the combined score of the game is higher than Tiger Woods’ round of golf that day, you can. But take it from me that you want to put in a few “fourth quarter” bets so that if the game is awful you will still be on the edge of your seat. First team to score in the fourth quarter. Is the first score in the fourth quarter a pass or is the ball run in? Will there be a coach’s challenge in the fourth quarter?
Some of my favorite from past Super Bowls:
- First beer ad: Budweiser or Bud Light?
- Does John Madden’s name get mentioned during the broadcast?
- Is Tim Tebow first mentioned in the first half or second half?
- Who appears first: Danica Patrick or the e-trade baby?
- Is the first field goal less than 35 yards or 35+?
- Who wins the coin toss?
- Is the coin toss heads or tails?
- Does a tight end score a TD?
- Does anyone other than a QB get an offensive snap? (not counting 4th downs)
- Does Phil Simms insult Cris Collinsworth during the game?
So there are 10 suggestions. You’re 20 percent of the way to 50. Make a list of silly bets, find a buddy who likes the action, but is essentially cheap and put your dollar on the line, 50 times, in Super Bowl 47. You’ll thank me on Monday morning.
