When it comes to Super Bowl betting, keep one thing in mind: It’s not always the favorites that win. It only took the third Super Bowl for the underdogs to pull off a stunning upset when the 18-point underdog Jets beat the Colts by 9 points. Parity in the NFL means that betting on the underdogs and taking the points is a very good betting strategy. Parity in the league occurred when the NFL implemented its own strategy to make it easier for weaker teams to succeed in the league. This was done through a combination of a salary cap, making it difficult for rich teams to amass all of the league’s talent and giving teams with a poor track record an easy schedule and successful teams a tough schedule.
A look at the teams that have made it to the Super Bowl in the past since parity was implemented will give you a pretty good idea that the strategy is working. Before parity, the teams that made it to the Super Bowl always had the same cast of characters: the Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Redskins and Raiders, just to name a few.
However, ever since the NFL put parity on the line, it’s been common to see teams that had a lousy year and had never been to the Super Bowl making an appearance. The historically woeful Saints, Ravens, Falcons, Titans and Panthers not only made it to the big game but, with the exception of the Falcons, won the Super Bowl. Before parity, when there were often big blowouts in the game, a good Super Bowl betting strategy was to pick the slack, or bet that the favorite would win by more than the stated point spread. However, these days, if you do some simple research, the most popular betting strategy is to take the underdog and the points. When you look at how many jaw-dropping upsets have occurred in the 45-year history of the Super Bowl, and most of them in more recent times, you can see that it makes sense to bet that way.
Of course, there are countless other betting opportunities that require less research and are great fun in their own right. You can bet on the opening coin toss, or who makes the first inning, scores the first touchdown, and you can even bet on the halftime entertainment. This year Madonna is the halftime entertainment, and you can be sure that if you want to bet on which song she sings first, you can. In fact, there were even bets when The Who played halftime several years ago on how many times guitarist Pete Townsend would make his arm spin by playing big chords on his guitar. No matter who makes it to the big game on February 5, the only safe bet is that there will be big bets on the Super Bowl this year, adding to the fun and spectacle of the event.
If you’re interested in betting on the big game and you’re not near a casino, there are plenty of online sportsbooks that can meet your needs. Look for a web portal that provides sports book reviews to find the one that is right for you. Place a bet and enjoy the great game.