Every NFL bettor has his or her favorite Super Bowls. Some recall a particular game because of its exciting finish or because their favorite team is in it. Many have wagering memories from a certain contest.
If you are new to sports betting, here’s all you need to know about the NFL Title Game.
It became the Super Bowl on January 15, 1967 when the Packers and Chiefs met at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The 48th title game will take place on Sunday February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium. This will be the first Super Bowl played outdoors in cold weather conditions.
The Super Bowl is the championship for the National Football League. The game pits the winner of two conferences, the National Football Conference (NFC) against the American Football Conference (AFC) in the finale. The NFC has won 25 of the first 47 Super Bowl matchups. The Steelers have the most Super Bowl wins at six while the Cowboys and 49ers both have five apiece.
Playing Favorites
The Super Bowl is the most gambled-on sporting event in the United States. Favorites have gone 33-14 straight up and 28-17-2 against the spread. The O/U has been nearly an even split with the over going 24-23. However, the point-spread rarely comes into play with the Super Bowl, meaning most years you just have to pick a winner. There have only been six instances where the favorite won the game straight up but failed to cover the number.
You have no doubt heard the story of Super Bowl XIII. The 13th installment saw the Steelers open as 4.5-point favorites over the Cowboys and the number dropped to 3.5-points with early action on the Cowboys. Even though, Dallas lost the game 35-31 to Pittsburgh, early bettors cashed with the 4.5-points and Steelers backers won on the closing line.
Notable Super Bowl Bets
Sportsbooks are accustomed to letting established bettors exceed normal limits and most of the time it’s on the Super Bowl. Players making a million dollar wager on the game is not unheard of although most online sportsbooks do have a max limit.
Since 1991 the books have lost money on two occasions on the Super Bowl. The first occasion was in Super Bowl XXIX when the San Francisco 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers 49-26. The second was in Super Bowl XLII when the Giants stunned the previously unbeaten Patriots 17-14.
Berth of the Props
The 1986 Super Bowl Game was noteworthy for two reasons. First, it was a national showcase for Mike Ditka’s Chicago Bears who some may argue is the best NFL team ever. Secondly, it saw the first prop bet ever offered as defensive lineman William “Refrigerator” Perry was lined at 40/1 to score a touchdown. He did and even though a few shops lost money, the prop bet was born. NFL betting has never been the same.