Football Bets For Fun

Can you even have a Super Bowl party if you don't have Super Bowl betting games? The short answer is no. The longer answer is definitely not.

If you are struggling to come up with ideas, The Action Network is here to help. I've been playing Super Bowl party betting games for years, and I'd like to share some of my favorites.

Before we get to the list, remember: Communication is key. Make sure to inform your guests in advance about what betting games you will offer (and the stakes) at your party, so that they will arrive prepared. Nobody wants to spot anybody cash for these activities.

Square Pool

Betting Squares Ingredients. Poster Board and Markers; Hat; To Play. Set up a 10x10 grid on the poster board and write one team on the top. The other team is on the side. Sell each square on the grid for a set amount of money. Play big or small. Numbers 0-9 are assigned randomly across the rows and down the columns after bets. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. The NFL is in trouble. The USFL is making a challenge. Franchises are moving under cover of darkness. College football is crazy. Yet some things in 1984 were just like they are today. Bad feelings run throughout the AFC North Central. The Bears are desperate for a quarterback.

1. Football Lines - NFL and College Football Odds. The 2020 NFL season could very well be like no other, as the world is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and it is uncertain how NFL stadiums will look in the fall.
2. Here at SBAT, we provide lots of different kinds of bets. We have our Both team to score accumulators, our over 2.5 goals Acca, our tennis Acca, our football draw lucky 15, our horse racing each-way double and our horse racing Lucky 15. We also provide each way bets, accumulator bets and Trixie bets on lots of other sports.
3. Point Spreads – Unlike most sports on which money lines are the most popular way to bet, point spread bets are king in football. Both sides are generally set at -110 (Bet $110 to win $100), and bettors can.

This is the most famous Super Bowl betting game, and it's one most of you have probably played at a party. If you haven't, you just need a poster board, a magic marker, a ruler, and basic math skills.

Pro Tip: Buy two poster boards just in case you struggle in that last department. I've seen some botched boards in my day. Also, someone will inevitably write their name in too many squares. More on that to come.

Once you have those four things, draw 11 equal squares across the top of the board and 10 more down the left side (eleven including the already completed square in the left corner). Next, draw a 10X10 grid of squares inside of the row and column of squares you just created.

Now, divide 100 by the number of participants to determine how many squares each person gets. Once you have that number, each participant will write their name in that amount of random squares.

Pro Tip: Make sure you wait as long as possible to ensure everyone who wants in can play.

If you can't divide 100 equally, create a house square and make up your own rule for those squares. We like to carry it over if those numbers hit before the end of the game, and give it to the party host if they hit at the end. You can also offer to sell those additional squares to increase the pot. In the example below, 10 people bought into the pool, which means each writes their name in 10 random boxes.

After you have all of the names filled in, put the numbers 0 through 9 on small pieces of paper into a hat. Have someone pick them out one by one. Write those numbers as they are picked across the top squares in order. Repeat for the squares down the left side of the board. Finally, split the first square in the top left corner with each team's name.

The rules of the game are simple. If the Patriots win the game 24-20, STUCK would win the pot, since his name is in the square that coincides with the Patriots (4) down the side and the Eagles (0) on top. You can choose to split the pot by quarter, half or just do winner takes all at the end. I hope you avoid the 9!

Prop Pool

You need to have a skill-based Super Bowl betting game where the person who gets the most questions right wins the pot. As a result, I like to assign the highest buy-in to this game, but know your audience. You can create your own questions, such as…

Also, mix it up with entertainment and sports if you have a bigger crowd. Or if you don't want to go through the trouble of creating your own prop pool, then just use our printable sheet.

Pro Tip: I have found using 20-25 questions with varying point values works best. Picking the MVP deserves a higher reward than guessing heads or tails, but it's up to you.

Pass the Cup

This is the easiest of them all. The rules are simple:

We like to divide this up into quarters to increase the excitement. The person holding the cup at the end of the first and third quarter takes a small amount out. The person at the end of each half gets a bigger payout. Divide it up however you see fit, but be prepared for the late half, meaningless Hail Mary interception cup switch.

Pro Tip: You can also use a football instead of a cup. However, watch out for your token drunk friend who is losing all of his bets.

If you want to make the game even more interesting, you can add a rule that every player must hold on to the cup (or ball) at all times when in possession. If someone gets caught putting it down, the cup changes hands. Finally, if someone passes out (or 'falls asleep') while holding the cup, make them watch the rest of the game outside through a window.

MVP Hat Draw

For those who still need more party action, you can also do an MVP draw. Just write down all of the best players' names on little pieces of paper, put them in a hat, and draw. The person who draws the MVP wins the pot, which keeps the game interesting even in the event of a blowout.

Pro Tip: Have everyone draw 2-3 names. You never know when a Dexter Jackson might surprisingly win MVP.

Having said that, I hope you pick Tom Brady, the only player in NFL history to win four Super Bowl MVPs. Overall, quarterbacks have won the award in 28 (55%) of 51 Super Bowls. But don't lose hope if you pick a non-quarterback. A Dallas linebacker won in a losing effort in Super Bowl 5. And if things play out like they did in 1978 when two Cowboys defensive lineman won it in the only Super Bowl to have co-MVPs, then I guess everyone gets their money back. Although, I'd think of a more creative way to decide a winner, such as beer pong or poker.

LCR

You will need to keep the action going during the never-ending halftime show. After making your play on any second half action, break out the LCR dice. If you have never played before, then go buy a set from the store or order here. Just make sure you tell everyone in advance to bring plenty of dollar bills.

Pro Tip: Get extra dollar bills. Multiple people will inevitably not bring them, so be prepared to change people out.

The extended halftime show will be over before you even know it.

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If you're the kind of Super Bowl viewer who's more into doing a squares pool (and not, say, putting money on the actual game), this might be the list of side wagers to make at your virtual Super Bowl party or with your family.

That's right: it's a list of predictions on bets you can make on stuff that's not game-related, from the national anthem length to the color of the liquid that will be poured on the winning coach, and more.

Because, really: as we've learned over the past few decades, the Super Bowl is more than just a football game.

Best Football Bets For Today

1 How long will the national anthem be?

Steven: 2 minutes

It's going long. That's all I can tell you. We can't compare an artist's performance at some random NHL game. This is the Super Bowl. Milk it for what it's worth.

Charles C: 1 minute and 52 seconds

There's a little bit of history with Jazmine Sullivan (see above) but not much with Eric Church. And although the last Super Bowl anthem duet ran long, I'll say it's shorter than two minutes.

2 What color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach?

Steven: Red

Going with red because it's the color of both teams, and also I just wanted to rant about how bad red Gatorade is. It's the worst flavor of Gatorade. It tastes like an awful batch of Kool-Aid.

Charles C: Orange

Football Bets For Fun

Steven: Red

Going with red because it's the color of both teams, and also I just wanted to rant about how bad red Gatorade is. It's the worst flavor of Gatorade. It tastes like an awful batch of Kool-Aid.

Charles C: Orange

Football Bets For Fun

It was orange last year, and I think the Chiefs are winning again, so orange it is!

3 What's the final song The Weeknd plays at halftime?

Place A Bet On Football

Steven: Starboy

They're going to bring out Daft Punk and everything. Please do not ask me to name another song by the Weeknd.

Charles C: Can't Feel My Face

Yeah, yeah, everyone's going to pick Blinding Lights, but that's too obvious.

4 Will Gisele Bundchen be shown on camera?

Steven: No

Tom Brady has been to 10 Super Bowls. The interest in his family has waned. Show me Andy Reid's family. Or Gronk's.

Charles C: Yes

Lock it in. The camera will find her and Brady's family at least once, even if the Bucs lose.

5 Will Bill Belichick be mentioned?

Steven: At least five times

It's going to be a storyline. Especially with the Chiefs marching up and down the field on offense. You don't have the greatest defensive coach anymore, Tom.

Charles C: Yes

You can't go an entire Super Bowl without mentioning how many times Brady was here with Belichick.

6 Will Roger Goodell be shown?

Steven: Yes

We'll see him at least three times. Between the weird season and the fact that the commissioner is always around during a championship game, I'd say this is pretty much a lock.

Charles C: Yes

How many times? I'll say once, for sure, while the CBS booth talks about having a Super Bowl in the middle of a pandemic.

7 Will Tony Romo predict a play correctly?

Steven: No

Romo hasn't really been predicting plays of late. Maybe he's just tired of doing it. But I will say this: He's had two weeks to study these teams so he could probably do it if he wanted to.

Charles C: Heck yes

It's Tony Romo. He predicted this Super Bowl matchup back in Week 12!

8 Will Tom Brady try to high-five a ref?

Steven: No

Yeah, this isn't going to be one of those games. Washed Drew Brees isn't on the other sideline, unfortuantely.

Charles C: No

He'll be too busy losing and being frustrated to do that.

9 What color will Bruce Arians' hat be?

Steven: White

It's your first Super Bowl, Bruce.

Stunt. On. Them.

Bet Football Free

Charles C: Red

Fun Football Betting Games

It's got to be a color in the Bucs' uniforms, right?