Many of you youngsters might not know this, but prop bets weren't always as prominent as they are today. In fact, they didn't even exist 40 years ago.
Today, you have tons of props on most sports, and they are available all year. From what I recall, prop bets took off after Caesars Palace posted "Refrigerator" Perry at 20-1 to score a touchdown in Super Bowl XX. The bet was so popular that by game time, it was 2-1. Of course, it cost Caesars quite a bit, but a star was born in "prop bets".
Now, I had never been in Vegas yet. My first venture was in 1987, and it wasn't during the SB. But, I recall hearing how the Imperial Palace became the place for betting props on the Super Bowl. (At that time, the Super Bowl was still the only game that had prop bets) Magazine and newspaper articles touted the new wagers. (No internet yet, for several years!)
The old timers here will also recall that there were no LED boards with betting lines. Those days, you had the "Grease Board" with the hand scribbled line on them. (Guys older than me can recall hand written tickets!) Anyway, my first SB in Las Vegas was in the 90s, and I really looked forward to the props. Naturally, I headed to Imperial Palace to bet at the "place to be" for props. They offered over 100 wagers, while other books maybe has a couple dozen. Just like looking at a freshly minted parlay card......."How can I lose???"
The one prop that makes me laugh every year, is the coin flip. If I walked up to you and said, "Let's flip a coin. You put up $110, and I'll put up a hundred!" You'd laugh at me, if not worse. Yet, thousands of people will have untold sums on that exact same scenario every SB Sunday! Of, course, some generous casinos will only charge -103 juice!
Today, you can find props online for pretty much any game you can wager on. Still, for me, the luster of Super Bowl props shines far above the rest.
Props were fairly basic back then, too. Spread and total for each quarter. Total yards. Largest lead. Etc. Today, you get action on every player. Seemingly, every play has an outcome to someone! When I visit Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, I like to make 20 $50 shots. As I wrote earlier, "How can I lose"?
In Las Vegas, the Imperial Palace is long gone, and pretty much all of the books have major sheets of props for the Big Game now. Still, for me, Westgate is THE spot for making your prop bets. I'll be in Las Vegas for the game this year, and it's my first trip back there since 2020s game. (Didn't go there during Covid, and mask mandates)
That year, I didn't make twenty bets. I really liked one, and loaded up on it. Mahomes rushing total over 31' yards. Everyone knows he had 41 yards when KC got the ball back, and he took 15 yards of kneel downs. This year, I think there is a pretty good chance of a KC/SF rematch, and I'll make that bet again. After all........"How can I lose?"
:0074
Today, you have tons of props on most sports, and they are available all year. From what I recall, prop bets took off after Caesars Palace posted "Refrigerator" Perry at 20-1 to score a touchdown in Super Bowl XX. The bet was so popular that by game time, it was 2-1. Of course, it cost Caesars quite a bit, but a star was born in "prop bets".
Now, I had never been in Vegas yet. My first venture was in 1987, and it wasn't during the SB. But, I recall hearing how the Imperial Palace became the place for betting props on the Super Bowl. (At that time, the Super Bowl was still the only game that had prop bets) Magazine and newspaper articles touted the new wagers. (No internet yet, for several years!)
The old timers here will also recall that there were no LED boards with betting lines. Those days, you had the "Grease Board" with the hand scribbled line on them. (Guys older than me can recall hand written tickets!) Anyway, my first SB in Las Vegas was in the 90s, and I really looked forward to the props. Naturally, I headed to Imperial Palace to bet at the "place to be" for props. They offered over 100 wagers, while other books maybe has a couple dozen. Just like looking at a freshly minted parlay card......."How can I lose???"
The one prop that makes me laugh every year, is the coin flip. If I walked up to you and said, "Let's flip a coin. You put up $110, and I'll put up a hundred!" You'd laugh at me, if not worse. Yet, thousands of people will have untold sums on that exact same scenario every SB Sunday! Of, course, some generous casinos will only charge -103 juice!
Today, you can find props online for pretty much any game you can wager on. Still, for me, the luster of Super Bowl props shines far above the rest.
Props were fairly basic back then, too. Spread and total for each quarter. Total yards. Largest lead. Etc. Today, you get action on every player. Seemingly, every play has an outcome to someone! When I visit Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, I like to make 20 $50 shots. As I wrote earlier, "How can I lose"?
In Las Vegas, the Imperial Palace is long gone, and pretty much all of the books have major sheets of props for the Big Game now. Still, for me, Westgate is THE spot for making your prop bets. I'll be in Las Vegas for the game this year, and it's my first trip back there since 2020s game. (Didn't go there during Covid, and mask mandates)
That year, I didn't make twenty bets. I really liked one, and loaded up on it. Mahomes rushing total over 31' yards. Everyone knows he had 41 yards when KC got the ball back, and he took 15 yards of kneel downs. This year, I think there is a pretty good chance of a KC/SF rematch, and I'll make that bet again. After all........"How can I lose?"
:0074
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