NEWSLETTER
As you continue to learn about sports betting, you will definitely hear the term “props” when wagering. A prop is a wager within a game or event that doesn’t necessarily tie to the outcome. Let’s break down props and give you some examples.
What is a Prop Bet?
A prop bet is short for a proposition bet. These wagers are not tied to the final outcome or score of a game. There are prop bets for players, the game, and even novelty props. Popular types include QB passing yards, players to hit a home run, and more.
Props are extremely popular in sports betting and the top sportsbooks offer tons of these types of wagers on all different types of sports.
More: Learn about popular bet types like spreads and totals
Prop Bet Types
As we said above, there are a few different types of props. Let’s break these down along with some examples.
Player Props
Player props are bets on an individual player’s statistics in a game. For example, you can bet over/under a point total for NBA players. Take a look at some examples.
| Player | Total Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Donte DiVincenzo | O 12.5 (-105) | U 12.5 (-115) |
| Jalen Brunson | O 34.5 (-105) | U 34.5 (-115) |
| Joel Embiid | O 32.5 (-102) | U 32.5 (-118) |
The total points for Jalen Brunson to score is 34.5. If you bet the over, you win if he scores 35 points or more in the game. Always take a look at the odds as well. For Brunson, a $105 bet on the over wins $100. In the NBA, there are tons of options like player points, rebounds, assists, made threes, and more.
Let’s look at another example from an NFL game. You can wager on how many passing yards a quarterback will have in the game.
| Quarterback | Total Pass Yards | |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | O 265.5 (-105) | U 265.5 (-115) |
| Aaron Rodgers | O 255.5 (-110) | U 255.5 (-110) |
If you bet the over for Patrick Mahomes, you need him to pass for 266 yards or more in the game. If you bet the under, he needs to pass for 265 yards or less. For NFL betting, there are tons of options like QB passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, total touchdowns, and more.
More: Understanding odds in sports betting
Game Props
Game props are wagers that aren’t tied to specific players but events within the game. For example, you can bet on what team will score the first touchdown or what NBA team will be the first to score 10 points. Here are some popular examples.
- Longest TD in NFL Game: O/U 45.5 yards
- Which team scores first?
- Which team gets to 10 points first?
- Team winning margin
These are just a few of many available at sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, and more. When you visit a sportsbook, you can click on a particular game to see a full list of betting options available.
Team Props
As it sounds, these types of wagers are on a team’s performance. Check out some examples.
- Team total points (O/U)
- Team total points (Odd/Even)
- Alternate total points
Novelty Props
Many people have been betting novelty props with family and friends for years but might not have known that’s what they were called. A novelty prop is a wager that doesn’t take place within a game. They are fun props for events like the Super Bowl and everything going on around it. Here are some examples.
- Which team wins the coin toss?
- How long is the National Anthem?
- What will be the Gatorade color poured on the winning coach?
Take a look back at some novelty props from Super Bowl LVIII.
Finding Value in Prop Bets
Bets like spreads and totals are bet heavily which causes sportsbooks to work hard to get the lines right. When it comes to props, there are so many available that sportsbooks can have a mispriced line that gives a bettor great value.
This is why you should always be comparing odds and lines at sportsbooks. This gives you a chance to beat the sportsbooks because they can’t get hundreds of prop lines exactly right.
21+ and Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Visit morethanagame.nc.gov in NC.
