Leading up to Super Bowl IV, bettors had thousands of prop markets to add to their Super Bowl betting experience.
Sharps and professionals attacked the prop markets in the week leading up to Super Sunday and Patrick Everson analyzed the movement in his popular props report below.
Our advice for Super Bowl prop betting: create your narrative for how the game will play out, shop around for the best odds, and, most importantly, have fun.
Most Popular Prop Bets
SUNDAY, FEB 7: People love having a decision, and more so getting paid, early on Super Bowl Sunday. That’s why they tend to love the coin-toss props so much. But they also enjoy props decided early in the game, on the field.
One of the most popular props in that realm: Player to score the first touchdown. At PointsBet USA, Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans (+1,050) leads the ticket count at 15 percent, followed by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the +550 favorite, at 12 percent. Those two are the only players to crack double digits in ticket percentage.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+2,000) is taking the third-most tickets, at 9 percent, followed by teammate Tyreek Hill (+600) and Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski (+1,600) at 6 percent.
Another early-game prop getting attention at PointsBet USA is on the outcome of the first drive. Sixty-six percent of tickets are on field-goal attempt (+450), followed by 22 percent on turnover (+750), 8 percent on touchdown (+190), and 3 percent on punt, despite punt being a -125 favorite.
The prop of coin-toss result, despite being the very definition of a 50/50 proposition, is seeing 58 percent of tickets on tails at PointsBet USA.
And what’s the Super Bowl without a Gatorade prop, right? On the color of the Gatorade bath, PointsBet is seeing 22 percent of tickets on yellow/green (+400), but opinions are quite widespread. Red (+250) is drawing 18 percent of bets, clear (+700) 17 percent, blue (+900) 16 percent, and the +125 favorite orange is getting 15 percent of tickets.
More props analysis
WEDNESDAY, FEB 3: The Super Bowl coin toss is the literal definition of a 50/50 proposition, yet it’s wildly popular, likely because bettors want a payout before the Super Bowl even kicks off. At William Hill US, the prop of coin-toss result is getting a ton of play on both sides. In fact, out of more than 300 prop bets available, tails on the coin toss is drawing the second-most tickets, while heads is taking the fourth-most tickets.
“I don’t understand why, but the coin toss is one of the most popular props for us, year in and year out,” William Hill US director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said. “I’m startled every year by the dollars. We use half juice, so -105 each way, and they just pound it. I’m utterly amazed every year. Some years we’re even on it, last year we had around a five-figure decision on it. We won that one. I remember screaming ‘We’re already a winner for the day!’”
Although both sides of that prop are seeing great ticket count, neither are in the top 10 for most money. The No option on whether Tom Brady will score a touchdown, at -440, is drawing the most early cash.
In fact, a few heavy favorites are landing the bulk of the prop cash, before the public money really rolls in this weekend. On the prop of whether either team will miss two or more field goals, No is -650, but taking the third-most money of all the WillHill props, followed by No -900 on whether there will be a safety.
The prop option with the most tickets: Yes (+370) on whether both teams will score in every quarter. The prop of whether there will be a kickoff/punt return for a touchdown is seeing Yes draw the third-most tickets, at +900. And per usual, the popular public plays of Yes on a safety (+600) and Yes on a 2-point conversion (+220) are among the top-10 ticket-getters at William Hill US.
“The safety prop is always one that we have a big liability on. It happened three Super Bowls in a row pretty recently,” Bogdanovich said, specifically noting Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl 48, when Denver gave up a safety on the first play from scrimmage. “When the safety was the first score, we lost hundreds of thousands. We open it lower and lower every year, because of the liability. But it’s still one where the sharps bet No and the masses bet Yes. We’ll have a six-figure liability on this one, for sure.”
TUESDAY, FEB 2: Among the biggest movers at The SuperBook is the prop of which team will have the most rushing yards. The Buccaneers opened -14.5 yards, and risk manager Rex Beyers said it was all Kansas City money on Jan. 28, when The SuperBook’s massive props menu first went up. By the end of that night, the Bucs were down to -9.5 yards, and as of Feb. 1, it’s Bucs -4.5 yards, a 10-yard drop from the opener.
At William Hill US, bettors were fading a couple of Chiefs running backs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Over/Under rushing yards plummeted from 45.5 to 33.5, and Darrel Williams’ rushing yards tumbled from 40.5 to 31.5. At PointsBet USA, the prop of player to score the first touchdown has Bucs wideout Mike Evans (+1,050) getting 18 percent of tickets, followed by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (+600) at 13 percent.
And from a sharp bettor who spoke to Covers on props bet opening night at The SuperBook: Over 3 touchdowns in the first half. The prop opened with Over a +115 underdog and by Feb. 1, while still at 3, the Over was a -130 favorite.
Those looking to settle a bet before kickoff seem to think tails never fails. PointsBet USA reported tails is getting 61 percent of early tickets on the coin-toss prop.
Player props
Player props are available for all NFL games but these markets are massive for a high-profile event like the Super Bowl, allowing multiple ways to wager on the performance of just about every player on the field. At some sportsbooks, Super Bowl player props are more popular for bettors than the traditional betting markets.
Player Over/Under props
Player Over/Under props are totals set around key stats for certain players and positions, like betting on a quarterback's total number of passing yards or a receiver’s total number of catches. Oddsmakers will release an Over/Under total for those player stats and bettors can wager on if that player will go Over or Under those performance totals during the game.
Passing yards Over/Under
| Player | Result | Closing total | Opening total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes (KC) | Under | 337.5 | 332.5 |
| Tom Brady (TB) | Under | 298.5 | 301.5 |
Rushing yards Over/Under
| Player | Result | Closing total | Opening total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Fournette (TB) | Over | 48.5 | 49.5 |
| Ronald Jones II (TB) | Over | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Darrel Williams (KC) | Under | 26.5 | 34.5 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) | Over | 28.5 | 27.5 |
| Patrick Mahomes (KC) | Over | 22.5 | 18.5 |
| Tom Brady (TB) | Under | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Receiving yards Over/Under
| Player | Result | Closing total | Opening total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyreek Hill (KC) | Under | 94.5 | 89.5 |
| Travis Kelce (KC) | Over | 97.5 | 97.5 |
| Mecole Hardman (KC) | Under | 27.5 | 26.5 |
| Sammy Watkins (KC) | Under | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Darrel Williams (KC) | Under | 12.5 | 13.5 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) | Over | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| Mike Evans (TB) | Under | 60.5 | 63.5 |
| Chris Godwin (TB) | Under | 72.5 | 74.5 |
| Antonio Brown (TB) | Under | 42.5 | 41.5 |
| Rob Gronkowski (TB) | Over | 28.5 | 27.5 |
| Leonard Fournette (TB) | Over | 26.5 | 23.5 |
Touchdown scorers props
Touchdown props for Super Bowl LV hit the odds boards less than 12 hours after the completion of the conference championship games. Here are the opening lines:
| Player | First Touchdown | Last Touchdown | Anytime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce (KC) | +650 | +650 | -163 |
| Tyreek Hill (KC) | +650 | +650 | -163 |
| Chris Godwin (TB) | +1,000 | +1,000 | +105 |
| Leonard Fournette (TB) | +1,000 | +1,000 | +105 |
| Mike Evans (TB) | +1,000 | +1,000 | +105 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) | +1,100 | +1,100 | +120 |
| Darrel Williams (KC) | +1,100 | +1,100 | +125 |
| Rob Gronkowski (TB) | +1,400 | +1,400 | +175 |
| Antonio Brown (TB) | +1,400 | +1,400 | +160 |
| Ronald Jones II (TB) | +1,400 | +1,400 | +175 |
| Patrick Mahomes (KC) | +1,600 | +1600 | +200 |
| Tom Brady (TB) | +2,800 | +2,800 | +400 |
Super Bowl MVP prop bet
Betting on who will win Super Bowl MVP is one of the most popular and simple player props on Super Sunday. Skill positions and star players are normally among the favorites, including the starting quarterbacks for both teams.
Be careful when taking longshots here, however, as a quarterback has won MVP in 30 of the 54 Super Bowls.
| Player | Closing Super Bowl 55 MVP Odds |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | -120 |
| Tom Brady | +187 |
| Tyreek Hill | +1,000 |
| Travis Kelce | +1,000 |
| Tyrann Mathieu | +2,500 |
Game props
Game props are based on stats or occurrences happening throughout the game, such as the result of the opening kickoff, what the first play of the game will be, or Over/Under the total amount of turnovers by both teams.
Here are a few of the more popular odds for Super Bowl LV game props.
First offensive play
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Pass | +100 |
| Rush | -138 |
First scoring play
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Field goal | +170 |
| Touchdown | -240 |
| Any other score | +4,500 |
Number of accepted penalties
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 10.5 | -138 |
| Under 10.5 | +100 |
Team props
Team props are simply bets based on the performance of only one of the team teams. These can be useful if you have a good feeling as to how one team will perform in the game but aren't so certain about the other. Popular team props include the Over/Under for how many points each team will score or which team will commit the first penalty.
Kansas City Chiefs total points
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 29.5 | -125 |
| Under 29.5 | -110 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers total points
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 26.5 | -120 |
| Under 26.5 | -120 |
Team to commit first accepted penalty
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -120 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -120 |
Exotic props
Exotic Super Bowl props are a favorite with all fans, allowing you to bet not just on the game but the event that is Super Bowl Sunday. Exotic props are often not graded by what’s in the box score or even what happens on the football field.
However, while Super Bowl exotic props are extremely popular, they’re not available in all regions. Online-based sportsbooks will offer the largest – and wildest – menu of exotics while books regulated state-by-state may be limited or prohibited to offer these kinds of markets.
National anthem
Before the ball is even snapped, you can bet on the national anthem Super Bowl prop. The most popular way to wager on the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is the length.
Sportsbooks post an Over/Under length for the time it will take the singer to sing the national anthem and you can bet on whether the singer will go Over or Under that time during their performance. For example, the Over/Under for R&B star Jazmine Sullivan and country star Eric Church to sing the Super Bowl LV national anthem. is set at 2:00.
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 2:01 | OTB |
| Under 2:01 | OTB |
The coin toss
Betting on the Super Bowl coin toss is a hugely popular prop and is offered at every sportsbook during the Big Game. The most common way to bet the coin toss is simply picking which side is the winning side of the flip: Head or Tails?
There’s not much handicapping or research you can do for this prop pick, as a coin toss has a 50/50 chance of landing on your side of choice.
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Heads | -110 |
| Tails | -110 |
Halftime show props
Just because the action on the field is taking a break, doesn’t mean prop betting has to. The Super Bowl halftime show has spawned a massive menu of exotic prop options over the years, with online sportsbooks having a lot of fun with the featured performers.
The Weeknd will headline the Super Bowl LV halftime show and if you have a good feeling about which song he'll perform first or who the special guests might be, chances are you can bet on it.
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Starboy | -300 |
| Call out my name | +300 |
| Can't Feel My Face | +900 |
The Gatorade bath
A Super Bowl tradition is also one of its most popular exotic props, with online sportsbooks offering odds on the color of the Gatorade bath given to the winning coach of the Super Bowl.
Orange has been the most popular color over the years, but what will it be this year?
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Orange | +125 |
| Red/Pink | +220 |
| Clear | +305 |
| Yellow/Green/Lime | +260 |
| Blue | +505 |
| Purple | +730 |
Other/Exotic props
Exotic Super Bowl props are only limited by the imagination of online oddsmakers. These wild and fun-loving markets have exploded over the past decade, covering everything from those infamous Super Bowl commercials to who the MVP will thank first.
Some of the most notorious Super Bowl exotics include:
- Will the game announcers reference the Super Bowl point spread?
- Which brand will air the first commercial?
- How many times will Gisele Bundchen be shown on camera?
- Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first: team, family, fans, God?
Tips for betting Super Bowl props
While Super Bowl props can be a lot of fun to bet, you should have a strategy and follow these tips to make sure you end up in the Big Game black:
Build a narrative
Chances are if you’re betting Super Bowl props, you likely have a wager on the point spread or total. Use those wagers to build a narrative around how you see the game playing out and what each team has to do to get to that projected result.
Avoid contradictions
With so many Super Bowl bets available, it’s easy to get your action tangled up. Make sure you’re not betting against yourself by contradicting previous wagers. If you like the Over, don’t bet on the Under when it comes to scoring or passing props. If you like the underdog to cover the spread, don’t bet on the favorite to go Over their yardage props.
Mind the movement
Betting on props was long considered a “square” market for many years. However, with the rapid expansion in prop offerings as well as the explosion in advanced analytics, more and more sharp bettors and professional gamblers are flocking to the opening prop odds.
If you’re trying to get the best of the numbers, pay attention to the early prop odds movement in the 12 to 24 hours after sportsbooks release these markets. Bookmakers will adjust quickly to these early sharp opinions. If you’re waiting until Super Sunday to get your prop bets down, you’re likely to get the worst of the number.
Shop for props
Sportsbooks up their available prop markets every February with more and more Big Game betting options. Plenty of these props are the same, in terms of format, but the totals and juice/vig attached to them can vary from book to book. If you have multiple sportsbooks available to you, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best return on your prop betting opinions.
When are Super Bowl prop bets released?
Super Bowl prop bets are slowly released in the two-week ramp up to the Big Game. Some basic props and exotics will hit the board in the first 24 hours after the AFC and NFC champions are crowned while the bulk of the props will open after the bye weekend. There are thousands of Super Bowl props available by the Thursday before the game.
When do Super Bowl prop bets get paid out?
Depending on what they’re based on, Super Bowl prop bets can be graded and paid out either throughout the game or at the end of the game. The timing and promptness of payouts for Super Bowl bets depend on the sportsbook.
Instant replay: Super Bowl prop bets
While subjective, Super Bowl proposition bets (props) have nearly eclipsed commercials as the most fun and engaging part of the telecast. These entertaining alternatives to the standard odds markets can boost your winnings and maybe morale, too. Here are our keys to the props betting game:
- Great way to diversify your bets, spreading action to different parts of the contest.
- Take your pick from the most commonly available: player, game, and exotic props.
- Make sure you’re not betting against yourself. If you like the Over, don’t bet on the Under when it comes to scoring or passing props.
Super Bowl Prop Bet FAQs
What are the prop bets for the Super Bowl?
Prop bets – also known as proposition bets – for the Super Bowl are bets outside of the standard odds for the game (spread, moneylines, Over/Under) and are graded on game occurrences, team and player performances, as well as happenings during the event.
Can I bet on Super Bowl events other than the game?
Yes, online-based sportsbooks provide odds on prop bets on events ranging from the national anthem to a post-game Gatorade bath.
