Recently, prop bets have been on the news for various reasons. Some good, and some bad due to the NCAA wanting to ban prop bets on college sporting events. However, you look at it, prop bets are very popular amongst bettors and bookmakers. Thus, today we will go over What is a Prop Bet and How to Bet on them.
For those that are serious about betting on sports, prop bets are a great way to find extra value when betting on a game. This is not just because they are fun to bet on and a change from regular straight bets. It is also because sportsbooks are unable to keep track of every single player as the game unfolds. Therefore, with the prop bets, bettors can often find favorable odds for specific events within a game or on players.
Needless to say, sportsbooks have been putting a lot of efforts to advertise prop bets because they increase their sports betting handle. Thus, they have been spending millions of dollars to find and hire the
best online marketing company to put the word out there.
History of Prop Bets – While the history of prop betting is obscured, legend has it that the first prop bet was made in 1986.
Caesars palace, in Las Vegas gets the credit for offering the 20-1 odds that that William the “Refrigerator” Perry would score a touchdown during Super Bowl XX. By the way, he did score a touchdown during the game and Caesars palace took a loss!
What is a Prop Bet?
A “Prop Bet” is short for Proposition Bet” and is a type of wager that may or may not have a direct bearing on the final score. In many cases, you will see prop bets being mentioned on the news because they are fun and unusual.
One example of a popular prop bet is the coin toss during the Super Bowl. Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to prop bets. There are in fact 3 main types of prop bets available to players.
The Pros and Cons of Prop Bets
Prop Bet Pros:
- Niche edges: Books often don’t invest as much in perfect pricing for props.
- Fun and engaging: Especially for casual or recreational bettors.
- Customization: Bets can reflect a bettor’s specific analysis or insights.
Prop Bet Cons:
- Lower limits: Books don’t want to be heavily exposed on props.
- Higher vig: Implied odds often add up to more than 100%.
- Can be traps: Eye-catching but low-EV (expected value) bets.
Most Popular Types of Prop Bets in a Sportsbook
One of the essential part of learning what a prop bet is, is knowing the type of prop bets that are available at your local bookie or sportsbook. Below is a list of the most popular types of prop bets along with my favorite type of prop bets that I regularly bet on.
Player Prop Bets
Play Prop Bet Examples: Will LeBron James score over/under 28.5 points? Will Patrick Mahomes throw over/under 2.5 touchdowns?
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.
This is a bet that is about how a player will perform during a game. In most cases, it is a wager on how many point a specific player will score. Of course, there are many variables of it from how many assists the player will have to who will be the first player to score in a game. These have gotten so popular that it is not unusual for sportsbooks to integrate a prop bet builder software to speed things up.
Pros:
- Can exploit matchup knowledge, injuries, or coaching tendencies.
- Less efficient markets = potential for sharper edges.
Cons:
- Lower betting limits compared to major markets.
- Prone to odds movement and restriction if you’re consistently profitable.
Team Prop Bet
Team Prop Bet Examples: Will the Chiefs score over/under 3.5 touchdowns? Which team will score first?
These are wagers that deal more with the team as a whole. Future bets are considered team prop Bets.
Pros:
- Easier to research than player props (less reliant on individual variance).
- Good for bettors with strong knowledge of team performance trends.
Cons:
- Still secondary markets, so pricing may be less favorable or exploitable only briefly.
- Subject to random in-game factors (turnovers, weather, etc.).
Game/Event Prop Bet
Game/Event Prop Bet Examples: Will the Super Bowl coin toss be heads or tails? Will the game go to overtime? Which team will win the first quarter?
A Game/Event Prop is a type of bet in sports gambling that focuses on specific occurrences or statistics within a game or event rather than the final outcome. These are also known as proposition bets or simply “props.”
Pros:
- High entertainment value.
- Some are purely random (e.g., coin toss), making them 50/50 with no skill.
Cons:
- Many are novelty-based and offer no edge.
- High vig (house edge) on some bets, especially coin tosses or yes/no props.
Miscellaneous Prop Bets
These are fun bets that have not much to do with a game. One such bet would bet to bet on how long it will take for a singer to finish singing the national anthem.
Why are Prop Bets so Popular?
This is because they allow betting on specific aspects of a game even if you don’t have a strong opinion on who will win
- Provide entertainment throughout the entire event, not just when the final score is determined
- Often involve more specialized knowledge, which some bettors feel gives them an edge
- Can range from serious statistical analysis to fun novelty bets
Props have become increasingly popular in modern sports betting, especially for major events like the Super Bowl, where hundreds of different prop bets might be available for a single game.
How to Bet on Prop Bets
According to bookies and players, betting on prop bets is pretty easy as they are very straightforward. In a good sportsbook, player and team prop bets will always be available. However, unless it is a large sporting event, only a few will be available.
Placing a player prop bet is just as easy as making a regular bet. In an online sportsbook, you just go to the sport you want to bet on and find the prop bet section. From there, it is a simple matter of betting on what you want!
Step on How to Bet on Prop Bets
Now that you know what is a prop bet and the type of prop bets available, it’s time to put theory into action be learning how to bet on prop bets!
Finding Prop Bets
- Choose a sportsbook – Most online sportsbooks and betting apps offer prop bets. If you are not sure which sportsbook to choose, take a look at our sportsbook reviews for a list of the best sportsbook for prop bets.
- Navigate to your sport – Select the sport and specific game you’re interested in.
- Look for props section – Usually labeled “Player Props,” “Game Props,” or simply “Props.”
- Browse available options – Major games might have dozens or even hundreds of prop options.
Understanding Prop Bet Formats
- Over/Under Props
- Example: “Patrick Mahomes Over/Under 275.5 passing yards”
- If you bet “Over,” you win if he throws for 276+ yards
- If you bet “Under,” you win if he throws for 275 yards or fewer
- Yes/No Props
- Example: “Will there be overtime? Yes (+650) / No (-1000)”
- Odds indicate likelihood and payout potential
- Multiple-Choice Props
- Example: “Who will score the first touchdown?”
- Lists players with different odds for each
How to Place a Prop Bet
- Login to your favorite sportsbook
- Click on the sport and game you want to bet on
- Click on the Prop Bet Section
- Select your prop bet – Click on the specific prop you want to bet on
- Choose your outcome – For example, “Over” or “Under”
- Enter your stake – The amount you want to wager
- Confirm your bet – Review the potential payout and submit
Tips for Prop Betting
- Research thoroughly – Player injuries, trends, and matchups affect props
- Shop for the best lines – Different sportsbooks offer different odds
- Look for value – Focus on finding favorable odds rather than just picking winners
- Manage your bankroll – Don’t overcommit to many props in one game
- Understand the house edge – Props often have higher juice (vig) than standard bets
Remember that sports betting regulations vary by location, so ensure it’s legal in your area before participating.
