What is a Prop Bet? A Comprehensive Guide to Prop Betting

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Dec 29, 2019 8 min read Last updated Sep 03, 2024

Prop bets are a great way to add even more excitement to sports betting. Entertainment value has always been a big selling point with prop bets. However, many people are surprised at the amount of profit potential they have, especially when it comes to a long-term sports betting strategy.

Sports bettors who win with prop betting have the ability to differentiate between entrainment bets and skilled bets for profit. Here, we're going to look at the latter, along with the different kinds of prop bets available, and where you can get started with a bonus bet.

What is a Prop Bet?

Many people ask "what is the meaning of prop bet?", or "what is prop betting?". Quite simply, prop bets allow you to place a wager on events that occur within an individual game or entire season. These bets aren't concerned with the overall result, as spread betting and the money line take care of that. Instead, you’re looking to bet on statistics, individual performances, or lighthearted propositions that aren’t even related to the game, e.g. “will the announcer tell us where he went for dinner last night?”.

Individual sportsbooks offer different prop bets with regards to what you can bet on. Having said that, there are a number of standard bets that are always available. Prop bets like whether the star player will score a touchdown/point, etc., or who will score first, are almost unanimous across all sportsbooks.

Prop bets and odds

Because there are so many different kinds of prop bets, there isn’t really one standard way of presenting the odds. However, one thing always remains true in a prop bet, and that’s that they are usually an “a vs b” or “yes or no” proposition. So the line is always easy to understand. For example, there might be a proposition bet on how many touchdowns Tom Brady will throw for in the AFC Championship Game. The sportsbook will either leave it as a “yes or no” outcome or set a total. It might look like the following.

The prop bet could be even simpler, such as “will Tom Brady score a touchdown in the AFC Championship game?” In this case, you would choose “yes” or “no”.

Here's another example, this time from an MLB game.

Whether you win this prop bet or not depends more on your knowledge of baseball rather than luck. Of course, these odds suggest that the Yankees are the far better team in the first innings. However, there may be other reasons for the sportsbook making them the favorite, like the fact that they're playing at home, or have a better overall record. By studying other factors, such as form, you may decide that the odds offered for the Mets are worth a bet.

Popular Sports for Prop Betting

Prop betting has become increasingly popular across various sports, with football, basketball, and baseball leading the way. These sports are ideal for prop bets because of the multitude of events and statistics that can be wagered on, adding excitement beyond the final score.

One of the most prop-friendly sports, football offers countless opportunities to bet on specific player performances, such as total passing yards, interceptions, or even the result of the coin toss. The Super Bowl is particularly famous for its extensive array of prop bets, from in-game events to quirky outcomes like the length of the national anthem, but is also a wide range of NFL prop bets available at the majority of sportsbooks for most games.

Basketball, particularly the NBA, provides a rich ground for prop bets due to the fast-paced nature of the game. You can bet on individual player achievements like points scored, rebounds, assists, or even specific events like which player will score first or how many three-pointers a star player will make. Make sure you check out the best NBA prop bets today at FanDuel.

In baseball, prop bets can range from predicting how many strikeouts a pitcher will throw to whether a particular batter will hit a home run. Given the sport’s deep reliance on statistics, there are numerous opportunities to find value in prop bets by analyzing player matchups and conditions.

Other sports like hockey, soccer, and even golf also offer prop betting opportunities, though the options may not be as extensive as those in football, basketball, and baseball. Nonetheless, these bets add an extra layer of excitement for fans, allowing them to engage with the game on a more detailed level.

Types of prop bets

• Futures Bets: As the name implies, these are wagers on future occurrences. Examples of futures bets include “who will be named game MVP?”, “who will score the most home runs?”, and “which team will win the NBA championship?”.
• Will it occur?: This is a simple “yes or no” proposition. Examples include “will the Bills score a touchdown in the fourth quarter?”, “will Phillip Rivers score more than two touchdown passes?”, and “will the Atlanta Braves score three or more home runs?”.
• First on the Team: This one is also self-explanatory. You’re making a prediction on who will do something first? Examples include “who will catch the first pass?”, and “who will sack the quarterback first?”.
• Timing Wagers: Some prop bets are based on a set period of time to complete the wager. For example, “how many minutes will have gone by scored the first touchdown?”, or “how long will the National Anthem last?”.
• Individual Performances: Here, the bet is on the performance of a particular athlete. A sportsbook might offer prop bets such as “who will be the game’s leading rusher?” and “who will have the most receiving yards?”.
• Team Point Totals: This type of prop bet is based on the margin of victory or total points scores. Variations of this include the total number of points scored by a team in the third quarter and the exact margin of victory.

How to Place Prop Bets

Placing a prop bet is straightforward but requires some understanding of the process. First, choose a reputable sportsbook or betting platform that offers a variety of prop bets. Once logged in, navigate to the "Prop Bets" section, which is usually found under each specific sport.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Select a Sport: Start by choosing the sport you want to bet on, like football, basketball, or baseball.

Explore Prop Bets: Browse through the available prop bets for the selected event. These can include player performance, team achievements, or unique occurrences within the game.

Understand the Odds: Each prop bet comes with odds, which determine your potential payout. For example, odds of +200 mean that for every $100 wagered, you would win $200 if your bet is successful.

Place Your Bet: Once you've decided on a prop bet, enter the amount you want to wager. The platform will usually show you the potential payout before you confirm.

Confirm the Bet: Review your bet, and once you're satisfied, confirm it. After placing the bet, you can track it during the game to see if it wins.

Strategies for Winning Prop Bets

Winning prop bets requires more than just luck; it demands thorough research and strategic thinking. Start by analyzing relevant statistics, such as player performance trends, team dynamics, and specific matchups.

Understanding the context of the game—such as weather conditions, injuries, or recent form—can also provide valuable insights. Additionally, focusing on niche areas where you have in-depth knowledge can give you an edge over less informed bettors.

For example, if you notice a defense struggles against the run, betting on a strong running back to score multiple touchdowns could be a good prop bet to make, depending on the odds, of course.

How can I get a free prop bet?

To get a free prop bet, check out one of our recommended Online Sportsbooks, such as Fanduel.

Prop Bet FAQs