What is the pinnacle event in American sports? The Super Bowl! This annual event attracts millions of spectators from all over the world (123 million, to be exact, as of 2023). However, despite its immense popularity, not all fans are so enthusiastic about prime time duels. Are you one of them?
We’ve compiled a list of four of the most common reasons players (including gamblers and sports betters) don’t like Super Bowl matchups, from team rivalries to player performance to personal preference.
Lack of external appeal
For many fans, underdog stories bring extra excitement to sporting events and are extremely alluring. Imagine this: when a lesser-known or unexpected team defies the odds and makes it to the very top, it creates a compelling story that resonates with viewers.
However, if both tied teams are strong favorites or have a history of success, there are viewers for whom the game lacks the element of surprise or encouragement for the underdog team. Out of 56 Super Bowl matches, 37 were won by the favorites. Results? Not having a clear underdog basically dampens the excitement of witnessing an unexpected surprise.
Sports betting enthusiasts also complain about a lack of excitement despite the mass appeal. Tips and strategies at your favorite casino or bingo online are of no use when the chances of surprises are slim. No doubt many prefer a hookup in an online poker room or a game of roulette at a virtual table. Especially when you can play for free without any risk (well, almost, this depends on the promo). After claiming a promotional code for bonus from websites like https://gryonline2.pl/hitnspin-kod-promocyjny/ you register at an online casino, and with the help of extra money or free spins, you can significantly increase your chances of winning.
Absence of rivalry
We’re all here for unprecedented rivalry. Let’s be clear on this: it’s an integral part of sports culture that drives all this business (including sports betting). As the two teams face off in the Super Bowl, the stakes are high, and so are the emotions.
However, if the match lacks a compelling rivalry dynamic (which it often does lack) and there have been no memorable clashes or controversial matchups in the past (just google “Super Bowl apathy”), some fans may feel that the match is as intense as rival matches often are. You may find it less dramatic. Without the added spice of rivalry, this clash may not generate the same level of excitement and anticipation among fans.
Let’s compare it to poker, for instance. Major poker tournaments like the World Series of Poker attract significant attention, although they typically don’t reach the same level of mainstream appeal as the Super Bowl. All right, poker games, even high-stakes ones, lack the grandeur and spectacle of the grandiose NFL finale. But nothing can beat emotions experienced first-hand in quieter, more intimate settings like a casino when holding a pair of aces and waiting for a flop.
A star player or team wishes
In sports, star athletes and legendary teams often have loyal fan bases that eagerly follow their every move. When these star players and popular teams advance to the Super Bowl, fans are naturally excited and interested in the outcome of the game.
However, if a less popular or less widely known team or player is in the game, some fans may not be as keen to attend. Whether it’s a particular quarterback, dominant defense, or storied franchise, fans may have certain preferences that influence their interest in the Super Bowl matchup.
To be fair, in the case of the Super Bowl, it does not happen that often. In online poker played in virtual poker rooms or online casinos, on the other hand, the underdog (or simply “the dog”) is much more common. This applies to a lesser extent to roulette or blackjack, where the outcome of the game is purely random.
Too much hype is too much!
Let’s be honest: the celebrities, the commercials during halftime, the ads surrounding it—all the hype around Super Bowl Spectacle can be tiring. More and more viewers seek alternative activities like a movie marathon, a board game session, or (not surprisingly) a relaxation session.
After plenty of finales taking place in Miami, LA, and New Orleans, this year’s event is organized in Las Vegas. The choice of alternative activities to watching the Super Bowl depends on individual interests, preferences, and priorities, but if you’re planning your trip to Sin City in 2024, believe us, there’s plenty more to do near Sunset Strip than watching a Super Bowl match in a crowded bar.
While 53% of Vegas visitors do not gamble, the remaining ones can choose from hundreds of thousands of slot machines (The Wynn casino and Encore together offer nearly 5,000). Alternatively, staying at home with your TV turned off is a good option too. Whether it’s spending time with your family or pets (or both), pursuing hobbies, or simply taking time for oneself, there’s zillion ways to enjoy your day outside of football.