Props rule Super Bowl betting scene

Jay Kornegay still finds it painful to talk about the last time the Denver Broncos were in the Super Bowl and the first snap of the game went over Peyton Manning’s head for a Seattle safety.

For some reason, a lot of bettors at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook had put money on a 60-1 longshot that the first score of the games for the Seahawks would be that safety.

“It cost us a healthy six figures in the first six seconds of the game,” Kornegay said. “Luckily we ended up making it up.”

Such is the way with so-called “prop” bets, which tantalize bettors with promises of big payoffs. Unlike point spreads, they can vary wildly from sports book to sports book.

At the Westgate, there are nearly 400 such bets on the board this year, with wagers available on everything from if Manning will throw a touchdown or interception first to whether Panthers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has a rushing attempt.

Kornegay says at least half of what he expects could be a record-setting handle on the Super Bowl will be on the props, with the average fan betting four or five of them along with money on the traditional point spread.

Since casual fans like to bet on things to happen — the “yes” on many of the props — Kornegay and other bookies say a Super Bowl game without much action could be a big winner for them.