What Are Prop Bets and How Do I Place Them?

Proposition betting, also shortened to prop betting, can present some of the most fun bets for sports. They're a type of bet separate from the outcome of a game.

Read our handy guide to find out exactly how they work, what types there are, and why you might want to consider including one or two of them on your next bet slip.

What Are the Different Types of Prop Bets?

There are typically three types of props bets: player props, game props, and team props.

Player Props

As the name suggests, player prop betting is a bet placed on something that relates to an individual player. This may be the number of assists by a point guard, number of strikeouts thrown, or number of touchdown passes by a quarterback.

As you can see, player props focus on a specific player’s performance or statistics, meaning you can bet on a variety of aspects such as their total points scored, assists, touchdowns, and so much more. You can even bet on specific milestones that the player may achieve throughout the game.

In the NBA, a popular prop bet is predicting the total number of points a specific player will score during a game. In the NFL, a popular bet is to wager on the total number of passing touchdowns that will be thrown by a specific quarterback.

Game Props

Game prop betting is when you wager on something that will occur during the game. For instance, you may bet on who the first team to score will be, both teams to score three goals in regular time, or if the final score will be odd or even.

Let’s examine this in the context of an NFL game. In the NFL, you can bet on the total number of field goals that will be scored. So, if the sportsbook predicts that the total goals scored between two teams will be 5.5, and you bet on the over before the teams score a total of six, you will win your bet.

Team Props

These bets relate to the outcome or performance of a team for a specific game. You can place a bet on the final score of a game, the number of corner kicks from a soccer team, the number of free throws from a basketball team, or the number of shots on a goal, for example.

In a soccer game, a popular team prop bet is predicting how many goals a team will score by the end of a match. If a sportsbook predicts that a team will score two goals, and you wager on the over for the team to go on to score three goals, you will win your bet.

While player props, team props, and game props are the three most popular types of prop bets, there's another kind that's definitely worth taking a look at, especially if you're a casual bettor.

Novelty Props

Novelty prop bets are those that don't concern themselves much with the outcome of the game. They're also super popular during the Super Bowl, which is renowned for being the target of some very creative bets.

For example, you can bet on the color of the Gatorade that gets dumped on the winning coach, how long you think the national anthem will last, and many more. But novelty props aren’t limited to just sport events. You can place bets on TV shows and political elections, among others.

Let’s look at a reality TV show as an example, or more specifically, a talent show. You can predict who you think is going to win the whole thing, but you can also bet on who you think will be voted off at specific stages of the competition.

The possibilities with novelty prop bets are endless, making them a potentially lucrative option for bettors who know what they are doing. As fewer people bet on these markets compared to the moneyline, totals, and spread, there may be more winning opportunities for you.

Which Sports Are Best for Prop Betting?

In this section, we'll discuss the types of sports that are hotbeds for prop betting. NBA player props and MLB player props can vary hugely, so we'll take a look at how prop bets work for different sports.

NFL Prop Betting

NFL is one of the most popular leagues for U.S. sports bettors, so it’s no wonder that NFL props are also massively popular. Here’s a list of NFL prop bets and how they work.

Total Passing Yards

Bet on whether or not both teams' combined passing yards are going to be greater than or less than a certain amount.

Total Sacks

The number of sacks both teams will make throughout the game.

First Touchdown

Wager on what player you think will score the first touchdown of a game.

Longest Field Goal

Make a play on the distance you think the longest field goal will be, and if you think it will be over or under a specific yardage.

NBA Prop Betting

NBA hosts thousands of different games and betting markets every season, so the number of prop bets available is countless. Here are some of the types of prop bets you can expect and how they work.

First Team to Score

Bet on which team you think will be the first to score in the game. You can also wager on whether you think it will be a free throw, three-pointer, or field goal.

Total Three-Pointers

Place a bet on the total number of three-pointers you think both teams will make throughout the game.

Total Points

Predict the total number of points that you think a specific player will score during the game.

MLB Prop Betting

MLB is another sport where you'll find lots of prop bets available, so here is a list of some you can place.

Total Runs

Wager on the total runs both teams will score combined throughout the game. You can also predict whether it will be over or under a set amount.

Pitcher Strikeouts

Place a bet on how many strikeouts you think a pitcher will record. You can also predict whether it will be over or under a set total.

Player Hits

Wager on the total number of hits a specific player will make.

While we have focused on NFL, NBA, and MLB here, prop bets are available for most sports and leagues. You can place prop bets on soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, Formula 1, hockey, and even non-sport events such as politics, TV shows, and more. So, whatever your preferred sport or event, you're sure to find a prop bet to suit your betting style.

What Are Popular Player Prop Bets?

To help your prop betting strategy, we've pieced together some of the key types of bets that you can place for player prop betting. Let’s take a closer look.

• In baseball, the total number of strikeouts that are thrown by a specific player

• In soccer, the total number of shots on goal by a certain player

• In basketball, which player will score over or under a specific number of points

• In baseball again, which player will hit a home run

• In football, the total number of a quarterback’s passing yards

• Total points a basketball player will score

• Total number of a pitcher’s strikeouts in a specific baseball game

• Total shots on goal by a specific player in hockey

As you can see, the list is practically endless. We've provided a lengthy list of a variety of player prop bets, but even so we've barely scratched the surface. There are plenty more player prop bets available, so why not take a look at our prop betting markets to find the perfect one for you?

Example Prop Bets

We're not done yet. Here are a few more examples to really nail what to expect when picking a prop bet.

Total Saves

Predict how many saves a goaltender will make in an NHL game.

First Scoring Play

Bet on whether the first scoring play will be a field goal, touchdown, or safety in an NFL game.

Double-Double or Triple-Double

Place a bet on whether a certain player will make a double-double or triple-double in an NBA game.

Player Assists

In a soccer game, predict the total player assists that will be recorded by a specific player during a game.

Yellow Cards

Wager on how many yellow cards you think will be issued between two soccer teams during the game.

Basketball

How many points a player will score, the number of rebounds a player grabs, number of assists they may distribute, or how many three-pointers a player will make.

Formula 1

Predict which driver will get the fastest lap, the fastest qualifier, or the fastest driver in practice.

Why Place a Prop Bet?

Placing a prop bet is a great way of getting involved in a game without needing to rely on the final score for your bet to come in. Prop bets can come in many forms, but they are always fun, alternative options that allow you to explore everything a game has to offer. If you’re not invested in either team, or aren’t sure who to back, a prop bet can be the perfect way to get in on the action.