The Super Bowl betting frenzy is in full swing, with fans and bettors eagerly placing their wagers on the big game. The early money seemed to favor the Kansas City Chiefs, causing the betting lines to drop. However, the tide quickly turned when professional bettors came in big on the San Francisco 49ers, pushing the lines back to where they initially opened.
Jay Kornegay, vice president of the Westgate race and sports operations, revealed that roughly 80% of the bets on the Chiefs were driven by casual gamblers. However, it was the so-called 'sharps' who made a significant impact by placing several six-figure bets on the 49ers. This influx of big-money bets caused the line to move back up, making San Francisco a 2 1/2-point favorite over Kansas City.
Aside from traditional wagering on the point spread and total points, there are numerous ways to bet on the Super Bowl. Prop bets, which offer a wide range of betting options, have gained immense popularity. These bets can range from predicting which player will score the first touchdown to whether the combined score of the Chiefs and 49ers will surpass that of an NBA team.
Westgate sportsbook has gone all out with a 34-page book of proposition bets. Some of the intriguing prop bets include whether there will be a lead change in the fourth quarter, whether the game will go into overtime, and which team will call a timeout first. Additionally, there are even bets that involve players from other sports, such as Celtics guard Jayson Tatum outscoring the 49ers when Boston plays the Miami Heat.
One player who has attracted significant attention in the prop bets category is Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. At FanDuel sportsbook, he has received the most bets and money to score the first touchdown. He also has the most bets to score a touchdown at any time. On the other hand, San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey has attracted a high handle, indicating a considerable amount of money wagered on him.
As the Super Bowl approaches, bettors are also expressing their opinions on the player performance over/under bets. For example, at BetMGM, a majority of bettors are favoring Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to have over 260.5 passing yards, while the prop bet for San Francisco's quarterback, Brock Purdy, suggests he will surpass 246.5 passing yards.
Handicapping expert Bruce Marshall shared his projection for the game, favoring the 49ers to win by a field goal with Purdy outshining Mahomes. Marshall emphasized that while Mahomes is undoubtedly great, Purdy has also shown his ability to lead comebacks to victory. With the 49ers showcasing more playmakers, Marshall believes they have a strong chance.
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. As bettors place their wagers on both traditional and prop bets, the outcome of this highly anticipated clash between the Chiefs and the 49ers remains uncertain. Regardless of the final result, the Super Bowl provides an exhilarating platform for sports betting enthusiasts to showcase their knowledge and luck.