As Super Bowl LIX approaches, one of the most popular and straightforward prop bets is predicting the outcome of the coin toss.
This seemingly simple wager has captivated bettors for decades, offering a 50/50 chance to start the game on a winning note.
Since the inaugural Super Bowl in 1967, the coin toss has been a ceremonial precursor to the game. Over the first 58 Super Bowls, the coin landed on tails 30 times and heads 28 times, reflecting the inherent 50/50 nature of the event.
Interestingly, the outcome of the coin toss has shown some streaks. The longest consecutive run was five straight heads from Super Bowl XLIII to XLVII. Additionally, there have been three instances where tails appeared four times in a row.
Winning the coin toss doesn’t necessarily translate to winning the game. Historically, teams that won the coin toss have a record of 26 wins and 32 losses in Super Bowls, accounting for a 44.8% win rate.
Since 2008, when the NFL allowed teams to defer their choice to the second half, 12 out of 13 coin toss winners have chosen to defer. The only exception was the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV (2010), who opted to receive the opening kickoff.
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For Super Bowl LIX, sportsbooks have set the odds for the coin toss as follows:
• Heads: +100
• Tails: +100
These odds reflect the equal probability of either outcome.
Beyond the basic heads or tails wager, bettors can explore other related prop bets:
1. Team to Win the Coin Toss: Wagering on whether the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will win the toss.
2. Coin Toss Winner Also Wins the Game: Betting on whether the team that wins the coin toss will go on to win the Super Bowl.
It’s noteworthy that in the history of the Super Bowl, there have been 27 occasions where the coin toss winner also won the game, including the past two Super Bowls.
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While the coin toss is purely a game of chance, here are some considerations for bettors:
• Randomness: Each flip is independent, and past results don’t influence future outcomes.
• Odds Shopping: Different sportsbooks may offer varying odds due to the vig (the bookmaker’s commission). For instance, some may list heads and tails at -105, meaning you’d wager $105 to win $100, while others might offer -104 or even +100. It’s beneficial to shop around for the best odds.
• Betting Limits: Due to the 50/50 nature of the bet, many sportsbooks impose lower betting limits on the coin toss compared to other props.
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports