The Super Bowl is among the most important events on the American sporting calendar. Even people who barely watch football at any other time of the year enjoy gathering around the television, a few snacks in front of them, and being surrounded by their friends and family.
It is no wonder that the Super Bowl has become one of the most gambled-on events in the country.
On this page, we will walk you through how you can place your parlay bets.
What Is a Super Bowl Parlay Bet?
We are sure that some of you likely already know what a parlay bet is, but let's clarify things briefly, shall we? Just for those who may be new to the whole Super Bowl betting world, parlay or not.
We are sure that you all know what a standard bet is. It involves choosing a single line, perhaps the winner of a game (known as the moneyline), placing your stake, and hoping to win. It is the simplest form of gambling.
A parlay bet isn't that much more complicated. However, rather than having a single line on a bet, you could have multiple lines on it. For example, you could have a bet that has all of these lines:
- Team to win
- Winning team to score more than 48.5 points
- Player to score more than 1.5 passing touchdowns
To win a Super Bowl parlay bet, every one of the lines on your parlay needs to win. So, with our example, if your selected team won and a player scored more than 1.5 passing touchdowns, you wouldn't win the bet if they only scored 48 points.
As with any other parlay, a Super Bowl parlay bet (as with any other parlay) is incredibly risky. However, the payoff is that you make a lot more money if you win.
How To Construct The Best Super Bowl Parlay Bets
Constructing your parlay bet isn't that different from any other parlay bet. The individual components of a parlay bet will not be that much different from making a typical bet, either.
However, because your bet could fail at any of the components of this bet, you probably will want to put in a bit more thought than you would usually if you're going to stand the best chance of winning.
In this section, we want to give you a couple of tips and tricks to ensure that you make the best Super Bowl parlay bets.
Keep Your Stake to a Minimum
Most of the time, we wouldn't recommend that you overdo it on the stake with a parlay bet.
Parlay bets are notoriously difficult to win. While some people have made bank with a parlay bet, most do not. In fact, most top gamblers tend to steer clear of them simply because the chance of winning with a parlay is ridiculously small.
Keep your bet to no more than a couple of dollars. As with every bet that you ever place, only gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Even if the bet looks like it is a dead-cert to be a winner, assume that it is not going to win. If you are gambling to cover the bills, then parlays (and gambling in general) is not for you.
Keep The Number of Betting Lines Low
The more lines you add to your bet, the less chance you have of winning.
A parlay bet can be as low as 2 lines, and you can have an unlimited number of lines on it.
In our opinion, the sweet spot for a good parlay bet is somewhere between 3 and 5 lines. Less than 3, and you may as well just place individual bets. More than 5, and the chances of winning drastically cut off.
Of course, you can go with dozens of lines, if you want. The people that have won the big bucks from small bets in sports gambling have hit those big wins with dozens of lines. Just don't think it is going to happen to you. In 99.99% of cases, placing those multi-line parlay bets is not going to give you a return. You would probably earn more by throwing your cash into a gutter.
Look For The Best Betting Odds
How much your parlay bet will pay out will be dependent on the betting odds for each individual bet that make up your parlay. This means that you will want to shop around to ensure that you get the best odds for as many of those lines as possible. If you skip ahead a little bit, you will find a list of some of our favorite sportsbooks for great odds.
Choose Easy-to-Predict Betting Lines
As we said at the start, the Super Bowl is the largest sporting event in the US. This means that every sports betting company is going to be wanting a slice of that gambling pie. They also know that many people betting on the Super Bowl may not be well-versed in gambling. This means that you will get a ton of odd bets. Avoid them.
Stick with bets where you could look at past stats and see what is likely to happen. For example, the following bets are great for a Super Bowl parlay:
- Moneylines
- Points betting
- Player performance
Things that do not work so well are those that can be random:
- Final touchdown
- Length of the halftime show
- The color of Gatorade being consumed (yep, this is a real bet).
- The player who is zoomed on the most by the TV cameras (yep, another real bet).
Add a Moneyline In There
Whenever we make a parlay up, we always like to include the moneyline. It is a good addition to your parlay for a few reasons:
- A lot of the time, there is a clear favorite.
- It bulks up the odds without adding unnecessary risk
Now, you don't have to add a moneyline. A lot of gamblers don't. We just like it for that odds boost, and because it is one of the easier-to-predict bets that you can place.
Most Should Be Prop Bets
Most of the bets on your Super Bowl parlay will be those props or points bets. Once again, we want to reiterate that you need to be avoiding unpredictable bets.
Research, Research, and More Research
Every single line that you add to your parlay needs to be backed up by mounds of research. You want to gather stats. You want to read the news. Find out the following:
- The current performance form of the competing teams.
- How the teams have often fared against one another, particularly in recent seasons.
- Whether there are any major injuries or morale issues.
- The average number of points a team scores.
- The best-performing players
We are sure that you know the drill. For every line you add to your parlay, you want to ensure that you have 2-3 pieces of evidence to back up adding that line. It may feel great to add a weird betting line with very long odds, but that could mess up your entire bet.
If you are wanting to place those long-odd bets, then don't include them as a parlay. Make them a single bet. A least that way you won't be messing up a carefully thought-out parlay bet.
What Should I Put On My Super Bowl Parlay Bets List?
When you are putting together your Super Bowl parlay bets list, there are a few bets that we suggest that you look at. In this section, we will go through them. Once again, you will want to ensure that everything that you do is backed up by research.
Remember, these are just ideas. You don't have to include any of these in your list if you don't want to.
Moneylines
This is when you predict who will win the game. As we mentioned before, we always like to include them on a Super Bowl parlay as by looking at past form, they can be easy to predict. A good amount of time, the moneyline is an almost guaranteed win on your Super Bowl parlay, and it is there to bulk up the odds a little bit.
Don't include a moneyline if the game is a bit too close to call.
Point Spreads
The point spread is essentially the difference between the two teams at the end of the game e.g. you could bet on one team finishing more than 15 points ahead of the other.
Generally speaking, you won't get a massive spread of points in the Super Bowl. These two teams are the best-performing teams over the course of a year, after all. However, if one team is notorious for leaving the field with massive point hauls, it may be worth looking into.
Point-based Bets
These are where you predict how many points a team will score (you may sometimes see these referred to as over/unders). These are great bets to include on your Super Bowl betting list. This is because teams tend to be fairly consistent with their point scoring.
Look at their past playing history to get a rough idea of how many points they are likely to score during the game.
Player Performances
Here is where you look at player performances e.g. passing yards or number of touchdowns.
These bet lines are risky, but they often have the greatest odds. This means that they also offer the greatest payouts.
We like to squeeze one or two player performance lines on our list, although not without a ton of research due to the risk. Sure, there is a chance that we will lose, but we love how much extra player performance odds can add to our Super Bowl parlays.
What Are The Best Parlay Bets For Super Bowl?
A combination of a moneyline, a points bet, and 2-3 player performance (or other prop) bets is a surefire winner. There will always be a risk here, but as long as a bet can be properly researched before you add it to your line (i..e. it is not based on randomness), then you are in for a good shout of winning.
Are Parlay Bets Recommended?
It depends.
If you are serious about gambling, then probably not. Because parlay bets are some of the riskier bets that you can place, they tend not to be worth having a stake on. If you are serious about betting on a line, then have it as a single. While the payout on a win will be smaller, you won't have your other bet choices messing up a potential winning line.
We like parlay bets as a fun bet. It is thrilling to know that we can win a decent chunk of change if the bet comes through. However, we do not place these bets as a way to win money. They just make the game much more interesting.
If you do place a parlay bet, then you may want to look for an online sportsbook that has an early cash-out option. If the site has early cash-out, then you can withdraw your bet before the end of the game (assuming it is on track to winning).
You won't win anywhere near as much as you would if you saw the bet through to the end of the game, but you should win some cash and that is nice. It reduces the risk a little bit.
Our Recommendations For The Best Super Bowl Betting Sites Online
We know that some of you may be at a loss as to where to gamble online. Don't worry. Everybody is new to online betting at some point.
If you are looking for a sportsbook that offers great odds for your Super Bowl parlay bets (as well as some great bonuses when you sign up), then we recommend any one of the sites below.
If you want to find out more about these sites (rather than just their names), then we have covered them in a ton of depth elsewhere on this site:
Summary
There you have it. We have tried to give you as much information as we could about Super Bowl parlay bets. You should have enough information to get started now. This includes the types of bets that you want to place and the sites that you could be gambling at. We wish you all the success in your gambling adventure! If you don't win, at least you had fun, right?
FAQ's
Here are our further questions and answers on using and understanding Super Bowl parlay bets – Good luck!
General Questions
1. What are Super Bowl parlay bets?
A Super Bowl parlay bet is a wager that combines multiple individual bets (known as legs) into a single bet. To win the parlay, all the individual bets must be correct. The appeal of parlay bets lies in their potential for high payouts as the odds of each leg are multiplied.
2. How do parlay bets work in sports betting?
In a parlay bet, a bettor selects multiple individual wagers. Each of these wagers, or legs, must be correct for the parlay to win. If even one leg loses, the entire parlay is lost. However, if all legs win, the payout is much larger than if the bets were placed individually.
3. Why are parlay bets popular during the Super Bowl?
Parlay bets are popular during the Super Bowl because of the variety of betting options available, including point spreads, moneylines, player props, and game totals. Bettors can combine several of these bets into a single parlay for a chance at a significant payout while adding excitement to different aspects of the game.
4. Can beginners place Super Bowl parlay bets?
Yes, beginners can place Super Bowl parlay bets, but they should be aware of the risks. While parlays offer higher potential payouts, they are much harder to win because all legs must be correct. Beginners should start with smaller parlays, such as two or three legs, to minimize risk.
5. Where can I place Super Bowl parlay bets?
You can place Super Bowl parlay bets at licensed sportsbooks, both online and in-person. Major online platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars offer a variety of parlay options, including same-game parlays.
Types of Parlay Bets
6. What types of bets can be included in a Super Bowl parlay?
A Super Bowl parlay can include a wide range of bets, such as:
- Point spreads
- Moneylines
- Over/under totals
- Player prop bets (e.g., total passing yards by a quarterback)
- Team prop bets (e.g., total team points scored)
Each sportsbook may have its own rules regarding which bets can be combined.
7. Can I combine different types of bets in a single parlay?
Yes, you can combine different types of bets, such as a point spread, a player prop, and a total points over/under in a single parlay. This flexibility allows bettors to create unique combinations based on their predictions for the game.
8. What is a same-game parlay for the Super Bowl?
A same-game parlay allows you to combine multiple bets from a single game into one parlay. For example, you could bet on the winner, total points scored, and a specific player’s rushing yards, all in the same Super Bowl game. Same-game parlays have become popular because they let bettors focus on a single event.
9. Can player props be included in a Super Bowl parlay?
Yes, many sportsbooks allow player props to be included in parlays. You can bet on individual player performances, such as total passing yards, touchdowns, or receptions, and combine them with other bets to form a parlay.
10. What is a teaser parlay, and how does it work for the Super Bowl?
A teaser parlay is a type of parlay where the bettor adjusts the point spread or total in their favor. In exchange for the adjusted line, the payout is lower than a standard parlay. For example, if the point spread is set at -7, a teaser might adjust it to -3, making it easier for your team to cover the spread.
Strategies and Tips
11. How can I improve my chances of winning a Super Bowl parlay?
To improve your chances, follow these tips:
- Stick to fewer legs: A smaller parlay has a higher chance of winning.
- Research thoroughly: Study team stats, player performances, and recent trends.
- Avoid long-shot bets: While tempting, unlikely bets reduce your overall chances of success.
- Consider correlated bets: Choose bets that complement each other, such as betting on a team to win and their quarterback to have a high passing total.
12. Should I include moneyline bets in my parlay?
Including moneyline bets in your parlay can be a good strategy, especially if you’re betting on heavy favorites. However, be aware that low-odds moneyline bets won’t add much to the overall payout unless combined with several other legs.
13. How many legs should a Super Bowl parlay have?
It’s recommended to stick with 2-4 legs for most parlays. While adding more legs increases the potential payout, it also significantly decreases the chances of winning. Beginners should start with smaller parlays until they become more experienced.
14. What are the risks of placing large parlays?
The main risk of large parlays is that they are very difficult to win. Each additional leg reduces your overall probability of winning, as all legs must be correct for the parlay to pay out. While large parlays can offer big rewards, they are often a high-risk, low-probability strategy.
15. Are there any common mistakes to avoid when placing Super Bowl parlays?
Yes, common mistakes include:
- Chasing high payouts with too many legs: Stick to fewer, well-researched bets.
- Betting on long-shot props: While long-shot bets have high payouts, they rarely hit.
- Ignoring correlations: Avoid combining bets that contradict each other.
- Betting emotionally: Focus on statistics and research rather than personal bias toward a team.
Payouts and Odds
16. How are payouts calculated for Super Bowl parlay bets?
Payouts for parlay bets are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual leg. For example, if you place a parlay with three legs at odds of +150, +200, and +300, the combined odds would be much higher than any single leg, resulting in a larger potential payout.
17. Why are the odds for parlay bets higher than single bets?
The odds for parlay bets are higher because the difficulty of winning increases with each added leg. Since all legs must be correct to win, sportsbooks offer higher payouts as compensation for the increased risk.
18. What happens if one leg of my Super Bowl parlay bet loses?
If one leg of your parlay loses, the entire parlay bet is considered a loss. This is what makes parlays more challenging than single bets—every selection must be correct for the parlay to win.
19. Can I cash out early on a Super Bowl parlay bet?
Some sportsbooks offer early cash-out options for parlays. This allows bettors to take a reduced payout before all legs are completed, which can be useful if you’re concerned about the remaining legs losing.
20. Are there any special promotions or bonuses for Super Bowl parlays?
Yes, many sportsbooks offer special promotions, such as odds boosts or parlay insurance for Super Bowl parlays. Parlay insurance allows you to get a refund (usually as a free bet) if one leg of your parlay loses, making it a safer option for bettors.