Super Bowl Futures

With the NFL Playoffs set to start on Saturday, many wagering opportunities exist. Propositions have come full circle, and are now offered on just about every game played. The most popular prop choice is also the easiest to make. Betting a team to win the Super Bowl at set odds is the way most bet the futures market, but are they short-changing themselves on the expected payout? Let's examine a way in which one could invest the same dollar amount with the same expectation of his team winning the Super Bowl, but make $4,933 more.

In this example, I will use the Seattle Seahawks. Currently, the Seahawks are 35-1 to win the Super Bowl. In their first game against Dallas, Seattle is a -132 favorite on the money line. There are two ways in which we can bet the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl:

1) Risk $132 at 35-1 to win the Super Bowl. If they win, we make $4,752.

This is easy to understand, takes a one-time bet, and looks to be a good return on investment. It won't look so good after I show you how to risk the same $132 and more than double your win amount.

2) Risk $132 on a Seahawks money line parlay throughout the Playoffs to win $9,685

Here's how it works: (for this exercise assume the Seahawks face a higher seed)

In game 1, risk $132 on the Seahawks money line against Dallas. If they win, we now have our initial $132 plus the $100 we won for a total of $232.

In game 2, risk $232 on the Seahawks money line against Chicago. In what should be a 7 point line, the Seahawks would be around plus $250. If they win, we now have $232 plus the $580 we won for a total of $812.

In game 3, risk $812 on the Seahawks money line against New Orleans. In what should be a 4 point line, the Seahawks would be around plus $165. If they win, we now have $812 plus the $1,348 we won for a total of $2,160.

In the Super Bowl, risk $2,160 on the Seahawks money line against San Diego. In what should be a 10 point line, the Seahawks would be around plus $350. If they win, we now have $2,160 plus the $7,525 we won for a total of $9,685.

With the same $132 at risk and the same expectation of the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, we have added an extra $4,933 to our bankroll by using an alternate betting strategy. We achieved the same goal, but won $9,685 vs. $4,752 when making an identical bet. Still want to make a futures bet at set odds?

P.S. I am not recommending a play on the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. I just used them as an example to show you how it works.

P.P.S. This strategy does not hold true for every team. You must be able to identify the future match-ups and somewhat predict an accurate line. Take a shot, and watch the bankroll soar.