What are Prop Bets?
Are you trying to take your first steps in sports betting? Welcome! Many more beginners like you are trying to thrive in this fascinating world. Our best tip: study the mechanics until you understand them clearly. Prop bets are a very popular type of wager. Many sportsbooks offer them, and they will surely come across you soon. So, let’s not waste time and explain all the ins and outs that a novice should understand before placing such a wager.
Prop Bet explained?
The prop or proposition is a wager focusing on specific outcome or outcomes within a game or event rather than the winner or final score. It is different than other types such as point spreads, moneylines, or over/under totals, because you are not limited to gambling on the overall outcome of a game. We talk about an individual player or a team performance and even external things happening during an event. Some of them could be as random as, “Will it rain during the game?”, “Heads or tails?”, etc. This makes it very convenient for first-time bettors who are not true sports fans. Some women have started to use it, as a fun activity, while their husbands enjoy the game.
Props can be structured around various betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and Over/Under totals, or presented in a simple Yes/No format.
This type of gambling option was first introduced at Super Bowl XX (1986).
The bookmakers in Las Vegas, the famous gambling city in Nevada, offered wagers on the possibility that William “The Refrigerator” Perry would find the end zone. Since it was brand new way of gambling on a game, it quickly got popular. Currently, prop betting spans nearly every major sport.
The following examples will clarify the broad scope of possibilities:
- Player props. Gamble on the performance of individual players.
- “Will [Player] score a touchdown?”
- “How many points will [Player] score in a basketball game?”
- “Will [Player] score a goal in the first half of the game?”
- “Will [Player] throw over or under 2.5 touchdowns?”
- “Will [Player] record a triple-double?”
- Team props. Gamble on teams’ performance.
- “Will team A have more than three touchdowns?”
- “Will team B score first?”
- “Will team A be the first to score 15 points?”
- Game props. Bets about specific events in the game.
- “Will the coin toss land on heads or tails at the Super Bowl?”
- “Will there be a safety in the match?”
- “Will the National Anthem take over or under 2 minutes?”
- “What color will the Gatorade be that’s poured on the winning coach?”
- Other events’ props. Gamble on different aspects of all types of events.
- Which movie will win the “Best Movie” award at a particular movie competition?
- How much does the baby of [celebrity] weigh in pounds?
- Which actor will play Superman?
Understanding Prop Bet Odds
The odds show how much you can win for a specific wager and reflect the likelihood of that outcome happening.
Negative Odds (-)
The outcome marked with the negative symbol (-) is more likely to happen based on the sportsbook’s belief. The number marked with the minus symbol (-) indicates how much you must wager to win $100.
Usually, negative odds indicate a higher likelihood of the outcome but a lower payout.
Positive Odds (+)
The outcome marked with the positive symbol (+) is less likely to happen. The number marked with the plus symbol (+) tells you how much profit you could earn on a $100 wager.
Positive odds usually mean the outcome is less likely but offers a higher payout.
How Prop Bet Odds Are Displayed
In the U.S., the odds are usually shown like in the previous examples (+200 or -150), but some sportsbooks may also use decimal or fractional odds.
- Decimal odds represent your total payout per dollar wagered, including your original stake.
- Fractional odds show the profit relative to your stake.
Proposition wager example. How to win?
Correctly reading and understanding the odds is vital! As you already saw, each wager will have odds tied to the specific outcome, showing you the expected payout. Let’s look at an NBA example:
“Will LeBron James score more than 30 points?”
The odds will tell you, what does the sportsbook think is most likely to happen. In this example, the “Yes” outcome is slightly more likely because it has negative odds (-120), while the “No” result is less likely, with positive odds (+100).
If you bet $120 on “Yes,” you will win $100 profit if LeBron scores over 30 points.
If you bet $100 on “No,” you will win $100 profit if he scores 30 points or fewer.
A Push in Prop Bets
In our previous example, we could have a push if LeBron scores exactly 30 points. A “push” happens when the outcome of a wager results in a tie, meaning neither the bettor nor the sportsbook wins. Then, your wager (money) is refunded. In this type of gambling, “pushes” are rare but can occur when the wager is ambiguous, or the sportsbook adjusts the line due to changing conditions (like player injuries or weather conditions). If these changes make the proposition unclear, sportsbooks might offer the option for a push or even cancel it entirely.
Besides, a push can happen when the event lands precisely on a line set by the sportsbook or when certain conditions are met that the bet was not designed to resolve in a definitive win/loss.
Prop Bets Scenarios where a Push does not happen
If the sportsbook has set a range (like Over/Under 100 yards), the bet will usually resolve with a win or loss based on whether the player goes above or below the threshold.
In a Yes/No scenario where the event is clear-cut, such as “Will a team score in the first quarter?” a push is unlikely. It’s a Yes or No outcome, with no room for a tie.
As you see, pushes in Yes/No props are infrequent and often depend on the specific wording of the prop or any adjustments made by the sportsbook. Always check the specific rules provided by the sportsbook before placing your bet.
Why Choose a Prop Bet?
Here you have some reasons:
- Fun and engaging – They are often fun, creative, and diverse, making them popular for casual and experienced bettors. They add more excitement to games. Even if you are not invested in who wins, you don’t have deep knowledge of the sport or are not a regular fan. If your friend’s excitement for the Super Bowl is infectious, you could cheer for a specific player to perform well or for unusual outcomes and situations.
- Variety – Countless options allow you to tailor your bets to what you find most interesting.
- Lower pressure for beginners – Some propositions often feel less intimidating than traditional bets because they can be lighthearted. Example: Super Bowl halftime show props.
| Casino | Casino Rating | Casino Bonus | Benefits | Number of Casino Games | Payment Methods | Secure Link | Casino Review | Significant Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM SportsBook | Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets |
| 72 hours |
| Play now! | Read Sportsbook Review | Terms & Conditions apply | |
| Borgata SportsBook | Bet $20 Get $100 |
| 72 hours + |
| Play now! | Terms & Conditions apply | ||
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Up to $1,000 |
| 1-3 business days |
| Play now! | Read Sportsbook Review | Terms & Conditions apply |
Other Things to Remember
These are essentials to remember, especially if you are a beginner.
- Compare odds across the best legal sportsbooksDifferent sites may offer varying odds for the same event. Shopping around is a good practice to ensure you get the best value.
- Control your bankrollPropositions can be so enticing due to their variety, but don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose.
- Be informed (sports)Some props are fun and not directly linked to the game outcome or teams’ performance, but many of them are. So, the best is to be informed, research, and use statistics to make educated guesses, especially with players’ and teams’ performance.
- Use probabilitiesConvert odds into implied probabilities to understand the likelihood of an event. For example:
+200 odds imply a 33.3% chance of happening (100 ÷ (200 + 100)).
-150 odds imply a 60% chance of happening (150 ÷ (150 + 100)). - Start simpleFocus on those that are easier to understand, like over/under wagers for a player’s points or yards.
- Check the payoutCompared with other types available at sportsbooks, these bets often offer slightly lower potential payouts.
- Look for value, tooA good one isn’t just about the payout; it’s about finding opportunities where the implied probability is lower than what you believe will happen based on research.
- Consider higher unpredictabilityIt can be harder to predict than traditional wagers because they often depend on specific events or circumstances.
- Know the rulesSportsbooks might have slightly different rules for settling options for gambling, so always read the fine print.
- Live (in-play) prop betsCurrently, most online and mobile sportsbooks offer live props on the game, team, and players.
Quick Recap
- A prop bet is a type of wager focusing on specific player or team performances or external happenings during an event or game rather than the final score or winner.
- The odds matter. They determine not just your potential winnings but also how the sportsbook evaluates the likelihood of the event. Learning to read and interpret these odds helps you make smarter decisions and find opportunities where the risk is worth the reward.
- Make informed decisions. Some gambling options are not directly related to the game outcome or teams’ performance, but many are. Therefore, research and check the statistics of the teams and players to place your choice smartly.
- The outcome is straightforward, especially the Yes/No propositions: if you wager “Yes” and the event occurs, you win. If you bet “No” and the event does not occur, you win. Conversely, you lose if you have chosen “Yes” and the event does not happen. You also lose if you have chosen “No” and the event does occur.
- “Pushes”—a situation where neither the bettor nor the sportsbook wins or loses—are rare, especially in Yes/No props, but they can occur under specific circumstances, usually when the wager is ambiguous, or the sportsbook adjusts the line due to changing conditions. In such a case, your money will be refunded.