The Patriots chasing history or the Giants making an improbable run at the Lombardi Trophy not an interesting enough story to make watching Super Bowl XLII exciting for you?
Dropping a few hundred bucks on the point spread not risky enough to really get your heart pumping?
While you've got your wallet open, why not slap an extra $20, $50, or your entire 401(k), on one of the hundreds of prop bets being offered by your friendly neighborhood casino or bookie?
Proposition, or "prop", bets are bets that have nothing to do with the actual outcome of the game. They're exotic wagering options casinos offer during big-time sporting events that give you numerous fun and exciting ways to burn through your kid's college fund. And they're less foolish than dousing your cash with kerosene and lighting a match. But only slightly.
Here are some examples of actual Super Bowl prop bets served up by two sports books famous for offering outlandish action.
From the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook®:
[For a complete list of their prop bets click here]
Jersey Number of Player to Score First Touchdown
Over 43.5 -110
Under 43.5 -110
Player to Score the First Touchdown
Brandon Jacobs - NYG 10/1
Plaxico Burress - NYG 8/1
Amani Toomer - NYG 12/1
Ahamad Bradshaw - NYG 15/1
Steve Smith - NYG 20/1
Kevin Boss - NYG 20/1
David Tyree - NYG 40/1
Madison Hedgecock - NYG 40/1
Eli Manning - NYG 25/1
Randy Moss - NE 9/2
Laurence Maroney - NE 7/1
Wes Welker - NE 7/1
Ben Watson - NE 10/1
Donte Stallworth - NE 15/1
Jabar Gaffney - NE 12/1
Kevin Faulk - NE 20/1
Heath Evans - NE 20/1
Tom Brady - NE 20/1
FIELD - all others 7/1
NO TOUCHDOWN SCORED 500/1
Who Will Have More?
Amani Toomer Receiving Yards +15.5 -110
Tiger Woods 4th Round score -15.5 -110
(at the Dubai Desert Classic)
Who Will Have More?
Total QB sacks by Giants and Patriots PK -130
Shots on goal by Jaromir Jagr PK +110
Who Will Have More?
Laurence Maroney Rushing yards +13.5 -110
Detroit Pistons Points -13.5 -110
Who Will Have More?
Longest Field Goal by Giants or Patriots +24.5 -110
Phil Mickelson 4th Round Score
(FBR Open) –24.5 -110
Who Will Have More?
Tom Brady Interceptions PK -110
Derek Fisher (LAL) Free Throws Missed PK -110
From Bodog.com
[For a complete list of their prop bets click here]
Predict the Coin Toss
Heads -105
Tails -105
Team to Use Coaches Challenge First
Giants -115
Patriots -115
Result of the Challenge
Play Overturned +130
Play Stands -160
Total Number of Completions: Eli Manning 2008 vs Peyton Manning 2007
Eli Manning 2008 +2 +105
Peyton Manning –2 -145
(Peyton had 25 in 2007)
Total Passing Yards
Eli Manning 2008 +5 1/2 EVEN
Peyton Manning 2007 –5 1/2 -140
(Peyton had 247 Passing yards in 2007)
Total Passing Yards: Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII vs. Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXIX
Brady in XLII -50 1/2 -130
Brady in XXXIX +50 1/2 -110
Tom Brady’s Total Passing Yards Will Be an
Odd Number -105
Even Number -105
Which Song Will Tom Petty Sing at the End of His Halftime Show?
Free Falling 2/3
Don’t Do Me Like That 5/1
Learning to Fly 12/1
Great Wide Open 9/1
Last Dance with Mary Jane 4/1
Runnin’ Down a Dream 7/5
Who will the MVP of the Game Thank First?
Teammates 2/1
God 5/2
Family 2/1
Coach 5/1
Doesn’t Thank Anyone 6/1
Will Don Shula be on the Field to Shake Bill Belichick’s Hand After the Game?
Yes +250
No -400
Who Will Win EA’s Game Before the Game?
NY Giants +300
Patriots -500
How Long Will it Take Jordin Sparks to Sing the National Anthem?
Over 1 minute 42 seconds -115
Under 1 minute 42 seconds -115
How Many Times Will Joe Buck Mention Peyton Manning’s Name During the Broadcast?
Over 5 1/2 -120
Under 5 1/2 -120
How Many Times Will Archie Manning be Shown on the TV Broadcast?
Over 4 1/2 times -150
Under 4 1/2 Times +110
Which QB Will Troy Aikman Mention First After the Opening Kickoff?
Eli Manning -115
Tom Brady -115
If the Patriots Win, Will Bob Kraft Mention the '72 Dolphins During the Trophy Presentation?
Yes -135
No -105
Which Super Bowl Commercial Will Have a Higher Rating on USA Today's Annual Ad Meter?
Budweiser 1/2
Go Daddy.com 3/1
Pepsi 6/1
McDonald's 9/1
Victoria Secret 8/1
Other 2/1