Fun Bets for Football Games
Watching football is great but add some friendly bets and it’s even better.
From bets with family and friends to weird and wonderful bets that keep everyone engaged, football betting doesn’t have to be about making money.
Responsible gambling practices can still let you have all the fun without the risk. In this guide we’ll look at fun bets for football, from prop bets to live betting, all responsible.
Fun Football Bets
Football bets don’t have to be about who wins or loses. Many football fans love to place fun bets for football games with family and friends, on weird and wonderful outcomes and simple prop bets that make the game more fun.
Whether it’s the coin toss or the color of the Gatorade poured over the winning coach, these types of bets can add to your enjoyment of the game without getting too serious. Remember to keep it light and fun and responsible.
Types of Fun Football Bets
There are many types of fun football bets to consider, depending on how much involvement you want. These bets can range from simple, light-hearted wagers to more engaging ones that require deeper football knowledge.
Whether you're betting with friends, family, or at a game-day party, these bets are designed to add excitement without being too serious.
| Bet Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Coin Toss Bet | A simple bet on whether the opening coin toss will land heads or tails. A fun way to get everyone involved before the game starts. | Heads or Tails: Bet on which side the coin will land. |
| National Anthem Duration | Guessing the length of the national anthem during major events like the Super Bowl. | Will the national anthem last over or under 2 minutes? |
| First Score Bet | Predict which team will score first or which type of score (touchdown, field goal) will occur first. | Will the first score be a touchdown or a field goal? Which team will score first? |
| Touchdown Scorer | Wager on which player will score the first touchdown or which team will score the final score. | Will Player A score the first touchdown? Will Team X score the final touchdown? |
| Gatorade Shower Color | A quirky Super Bowl bet where you guess the color of Gatorade poured on the winning coach. | Will the Gatorade color be blue, orange, or something else? |
| Number of Penalties | Bet on how many penalties will occur during the game. | Will there be more than 7 penalties in the game? |
| Player Ejection | Predict whether any player will be ejected for fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct. | Will a player be ejected for fighting during the game? |
| Halftime Show Performance | Wager on which song will be performed first during the halftime show of major events like the Super Bowl. | Which song will the performer open with during the halftime show? |
| Total Rushing Yards | Bet on the total rushing yards for a specific player or the entire team during the game. | Will Player A rush for over or under 100 yards? |
| First Commercial After Kickoff | Bet on which company will air the first commercial after the game starts. | Will it be a car company, a food brand, or a tech company airing the first commercial after kickoff? |
| Coach’s Challenge | Guess how many successful coach’s challenges will happen during the game. | Will there be more than 2 successful coach’s challenges? |
These are options for casual fans who may not want to dive into more complex sports betting wagers.
Making Fun Football Bets with Friends and Family
One of the best ways to enjoy fun football bets is by placing friendly wagers with your friends and family. Unlike the serious tone of traditional sports betting, these types of bets are more about bragging rights than cash.
For example, you could bet on the first touchdown scorer or how many field goals will be made in the game. These fun bets create an engaging way to keep everyone excited throughout the football games.
Top Ten Unique and Quirky Football Bets
Football is full of unpredictable moments, which makes it perfect for unique and quirky fun football bets. These types of bets can add humor and excitement to your game-day experience. Here’s a top ten list of quirky bets that have gained popularity during major football events like the Super Bowl:
1. How many times will Roger Goodell be shown?
This bet became popular in Super Bowl broadcasts, especially in games where league controversies were a hot topic.
2. Will any player be ejected for throwing a punch or fighting?
While rare, this type of prop bet keeps fans on their toes during heated moments.
3. How many times will Taylor Swift be shown?
With Swift becoming more involved in the NFL scene, thanks to rumored relationships with players, this fun bet has gained popularity in recent seasons.
4. Will any player propose to his girlfriend on the field after the game?
Major events like the Super Bowl often see dramatic post-game moments, and this has become a quirky bet for fans expecting emotional endings.
5. What Gatorade color will be poured on the winning coach of Super Bowl 58?
This classic Super Bowl prop bet keeps fans guessing each year as teams celebrate their victories in colorful fashion. Will it be orange, blue, or something unexpected?
6. Will the game go into overtime?
This bet hinges on whether the game will end in regulation time or stretch into overtime, adding suspense for fans as the game approaches the final minutes.
7. How long will the halftime show last?
Fans bet on the duration of the Super Bowl halftime show, particularly when high-profile performers are involved.
8. What song will the halftime show performer open with?
This quirky bet has become popular during the Super Bowl, with fans trying to guess the opening song of the star-studded halftime performance.
9. How many times will the camera pan to the coach?
Coaches are often under the spotlight, and this bet predicts how many times the camera will focus on the head coach during a high-stakes game.
10. Will a kicker miss a field goal?
This bet involves guessing whether any kicker will miss a field goal attempt during the game, adding a bit of tension during scoring opportunities.
These quirky bets can make any football game more enjoyable, adding an extra layer of fun and unpredictability to the experience.
Season-Long Bets and Tournament Winner Bets
If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead, consider season-long bets. These bets focus on outcomes like which team will win the Super Bowl or which player will lead the league in rushing yards. Some examples of season-long bets include:
- Which team will win the most games during the season?
- Which player will score the most touchdowns over the course of the season?
- Will the NFL MVP be from an NFC or AFC team?
For those who enjoy watching the entire football season, these tournament winner bets can provide a longer-term sense of excitement and engagement.
Live Betting and Over/Under Total Bets
Another popular way to get in on the action is through live betting. With live betting, you can place wagers during the game as the action unfolds. One of the most popular live bets is the Over/Under Total Bet, where you guess whether the total number of points scored by both teams will be above or below a certain number.
Live betting is a great way to make football games more interactive, especially when the outcome is uncertain. Just be mindful to keep your bets reasonable, as live betting can sometimes lead to impulsive decisions.
Straight Bets and Point Spread Bets
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional but still fun, you can opt for straight bets or point spread bets.
A straight bet is a simple wager on which team will win, while a point spread bet gives one team an advantage, making the outcome more balanced. These football bets are perfect for those who want to elevate the game without diving into the complexities of prop bets.
Tips for Elevating Your Game-Day Experience
To maximize your game-day experience, here are a few tips to keep your football bets fun and responsible:
- Set a betting limit to avoid overspending. Something like $1-$5.
- Bet with friends or family, not strangers, to keep the atmosphere light.
- Focus on fun prop bets rather than serious wagers that could result in stress.
- Avoid live betting if you feel that you may be tempted to make impulsive decisions.
- Keep the stakes very low to ensure that your primary focus remains on enjoying the game.
The key to fun betting is remembering that it’s all about the experience. It’s okay to bet small amounts as long as you’re mindful of your limits.
More on Football Betting
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Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.
In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.
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Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
