You're not that skilled. Here’s what to keep in mind about betting on the Super Bowl so you don’t end up losing a lot of money.

      Legal sports betting is making significant strides across the country, with 38 states and Washington, D.C., now permitting it. This Sunday, a large number of Americans will be placing bets on Super Bowl LIX, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl is one of the most popular days for betting in the year. The American Gaming Association (AGA) anticipates that $1.39 billion will be wagered on this event.

      If you decide to place a bet, ensure you understand the process. You wouldn’t want to make an incorrect wager for an unintended amount. Familiarizing yourself with some betting terminology and the various types of bets available for the game will be beneficial. Here are some essential tricks, tips, and guidance for betting on the Super Bowl.

      Basic bets for Super Bowl LIX include spreads, totals, and moneyline options. The point spread is a common type of bet in football. According to FanDuel*, the current spread shows Kansas City Chiefs at -1.5 (-105) and Philadelphia Eagles at +1.5 (-115). Here, the Chiefs are favored while the Eagles are considered underdogs. If you bet on the spread with Kansas City -1.5, the Chiefs must win by more than 1.5 points for your bet to be successful. Conversely, if you wager on the Eagles, they either need to win or lose by less than 1.5 points to win your bet.

      What will your winnings be? The vig, or “juice,” is the amount added to the bet, displayed in parentheses. In this case, it’s -105 for the Chiefs and -115 for the Eagles. A $105 wager on the Chiefs to cover -1.5 would yield a $100 win if successful. A $115 bet on the Eagles would also result in a $100 win if they cover. If the spread shifts to Chiefs -2 or Eagles +2, a push occurs. That means if you bet on the Chiefs and they win by exactly 2 points, your stake is returned. The same applies to the Eagles if they lose by two points.

      Totals represent the overall points scored by both teams. Known as the “over/under,” the total for Super Bowl LIX is set at 48.5. If 48 or more points are scored, the over wins, while 47 or fewer results in a win for the under.

      Lastly, the moneyline is arguably the simplest bet; you just pick the game winner, regardless of the victory margin. For instance, if the Chiefs’ moneyline is -120, your bet on the Chiefs wins if they defeat the Eagles.

      What are Super Bowl props?

      The Super Bowl prop market is very popular among gamblers of all levels. Props, or proposition bets, usually focus on individual players but can also pertain to teams. For instance, you can wager on the receiving yards for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, set at 62.5. If you bet he will exceed that and he finishes with 67 yards, you win. Props exist for almost every offensive player, as well as some defensive players, varying by sportsbook.

      Given the Super Bowl's status as a highly wagered event, there are also special props unrelated to football, such as the color of Gatorade poured on the winning coach, the duration of the national anthem, and which song Kendrick Lamar will sing first during halftime. These types of props can be found across most sportsbooks, so check the odds leading up to the game.

      What are Super Bowl squares?

      You may have encountered this betting format at Super Bowl parties: Super Bowl squares, which involve no football expertise and are purely based on chance. Once you purchase a square, you will be assigned random numbers corresponding to the rows and columns. If those numbers match the last digits of the teams' scores at the end of each quarter, you win.

      If you still have questions, we have a dedicated article explaining how to play Super Bowl squares in detail.

      Super Bowl betting advice

      It's crucial to bet legally and responsibly! If you opt not to place a wager, that is perfectly acceptable. Understanding your budget and limits when wagering on the Super Bowl is essential. Avoid betting excessively and don't try to recover losses. Enjoy the game.

      Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, and will be broadcast on Fox.