Super Bowl LIX prop bets: coin toss, national anthem, halftime show

What began as a fun way to keep bettors entertained during lopsided games has evolved into a massive revenue stream for sportsbooks, and prop bets are even more popular than the standard game line for gamblers.

According to BetOnline.ag, the bet count for props during last year’s Super Bowl was 20x greater than the combined spread, moneyline and over/under bet count.

In terms of handle, props will do roughly 50% of the total money wagered as the spread, ML and total.

Let’s take a look at the early wave of props posted by BetOnline today, and explore the kind of action these unique wagers usually typically attract.

COIN TOSS

Super Bowl LIX – Coin Toss Result

Heads                -101

Tails                   -101

Link: https://betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/super-bowl/specials

Handle: Low seven-figures

A longstanding prop and fan favorite, the game’s coin toss generates a seven-figure handle annually as it is offered every day throughout the season. It also has the highest bet count of any Super Bowl prop.

“It’s a 50-50 proposition so it’s something we can set high limits for and allow our customers to wager on all year,” BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason said. “Bettors love the coin toss because we grade it immediately, so they’re already hoping for a win before the game even kicks off.”

NATIONAL ANTHEM

US National Anthem Time (Words sung only)

Over/Under                     125 seconds (2:05)

Link: https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/super-bowl/anthem-specials

Handle: High six-figures

One of the more difficult props to handicap, which has forcedly become a science in recent years because so many people are wagering on it, handle on the National Anthem reached the six-figure mark in Super Bowl LVIII.

“The National Anthem prop is more of a thorn in our side than anything, but it does generate a good handle,” BetOnline Sportsbook Manager Adam Burns said. “One year we graded both sides as winners because the final word, brave, was said multiple times. Another year you had bettors on a rooftop recording the length of practice sessions and posting video on social, so this is always a prop we have to closely monitor.”

HALFTIME SHOW FIRST SONG

Link: https://betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/super-bowl/halftime-show

Handle: Low six-figures

There are dozens of Super Bowl Halftime Show props offered every year, but the most popular is the first song performed by the artist. This prop is usually off the board early in the week because of leaks due to rehearsals, but it pulled in a low six-figure volume of cash last year. 

“This year, everyone wants to bet on ‘Not Like Us’ as the drama between Kendrick Lamar and Drake draws on,” BetOnline Sportsbook Manager Adam Burns said. “The legal side of this soap opera was pushed back to post-Super Bowl, and Lamar has basically come out and said he’s going to sing it, so it’s the favorite to be played first for a reason.”

GATORADE COLOR

Link: https://betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/super-bowl/post-game

Handle: Mid six-figures

The color of Gatorade or liquid poured on the winning coach’s head keeps bettors engaged even after the Big Game is over. The action is usually balanced enough on this prop that the house usually pockets a small profit, but that’s not always the case.

“I can remember the year that everyone was betting on purple because Kobe Bryant had tragically passed away the month prior,” BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason said. “That ended up being a loser for the bettors and a big win for the books. You have to account for both teams for this prop, and it’s even more difficult to predict when we have tight odds as we do for Super Bowl LIX.”