What is a Prop Bet?

The backbone of same game parlays, prop bets are where sports betting enthusiasts really get a chance to shine. Because they focus on specific players or team stats, it’s a style of betting that truly rewards thoroughness and dedicated research.

Think of this page as a comprehensive guide to all things prop betting, including key terms, helpful tips, and important examples, going beyond simply answering, “What is a prop bet?”

How Does Prop Betting Work?

Rather than focusing on the game’s ultimate outcome, prop bets zero in on specific player or team performances within the event. For example, in basketball, you can place prop bets on individual player statistics like assists or three-pointers made, or on team-related stats such as the total rebounds.

Prop bets introduce diversity to sports betting, enabling enthusiasts to delve into various aspects of the game beyond the final score. These bets require an in-depth understanding of players and teams, making them appealing to those who enjoy strategic betting based on insider knowledge.

How to Read Prop Odds

Prop odds are presented similarly to other common betting types, typically using American Odds. In these odds, the plus sign (+) signifies an underdog, while the minus sign (-) represents a favorite. The numeric value attached to these signs presents the amount of profit you would make by betting $100 on an underdog or the amount you need to wager to earn $100 on a favorite.

For example, if the odds for NBA MVP Joel Embiid to score 35 or more points are set at +250, you would earn $250 for every $100 you wager if the bet wins.

Do You Need Special Tools to Bet Player Props?

Most major US sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings provide a convenient feature known as the “prop bet builder.” This tool simplifies the process of placing player prop bets and creating custom prop parlays. It calculates the odds for your selections, helping you assess the level of risk associated with your chosen bets.

When using a prop bet builder, you typically start by selecting the player or event you want to bet on and then choose from various related options, such as the player’s points, rebounds, or assists in a basketball game. The tool will then generate the odds and potential payout based on your selections.

It’s a handy tool for those who are new to prop betting or want a quick way to explore different betting combinations. Experienced bettors may prefer to manually select their props and calculate potential payouts based on their own strategies and research.

However, it’s important to note that using such specialized tools is not a necessity. You can confidently place player prop bets without relying on these features. Many bettors prefer the simplicity of traditional prop betting and make their selections accordingly.

Are Props and Futures Bets the Same?

While both prop bets and futures bets don’t hinge on a game’s final outcome, they differ in scope and focus. Prop bets are centered on specific events or individual performances within a single game. For example, you can bet on the number of touchdowns a player will score, the total points a team will accumulate, or whether a specific event, like sacks, will occur during a game.

Futures bets, on the other hand, pertain to long-term outcomes like predicting the league champion, conference winners, or the next MVP for an entire season or tournament. These bets often require you to commit your money for an extended period, sometimes spanning several months or an entire season, until the outcome is determined.

In summary, prop bets are more immediate and focus on micro-events within a game, while futures bets take a broader, long-term perspective on the outcome of a league, tournament, or season. Both types of bets offer unique opportunities for sports bettors to diversify their strategies and engage with different aspects of sports events beyond the final score.

Why are Super Bowl Prop Bets So Popular?

Super Bowl prop bets, or player proposition bets, have gained immense popularity for several compelling reasons. These bets go beyond the standard wagers on game outcomes, creating a more engaging and communal experience for sports enthusiasts during major events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup Final.

One key factor behind the popularity of Super Bowl prop bets is the sense of camaraderie they foster. These bets become a shared experience among fans, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated event. Friends and family gather to watch the game, and placing prop bets allows everyone to participate in the action, regardless of their level of sports knowledge.

Moreover, sportsbooks often introduce special prop bets that extend beyond the confines of the playing field. These “novelty props” capture the imagination of bettors by covering entertaining aspects like the color of the Gatorade that will be dumped on the winning coach, the duration of the national anthem performance, or even which songs will be sung during the halftime show.

Can You Add a Prop Bet to a Parlay?

Yes, most sportsbooks allow you to include prop bets in parlays, and this feature has given rise to the popular “same game parlay.” With same game parlays, bettors can combine multiple player and team prop bets from a single match or event into a single, potentially lucrative wager.

This flexibility provides an excellent opportunity to leverage your in-depth knowledge of a particular team, game dynamics, or player performances. By strategically selecting prop bets that complement one another, you can construct a parlay that offers higher odds and a potentially more substantial payout.

However, it’s essential to exercise caution and avoid overextending yourself, as long-shot parlays can be challenging to win. While they offer attractive potential rewards, they also carry a higher degree of risk.

Can Beginner Bettors Make Prop Bets?

Beginner bettors can venture into prop bets, but they are better suited for individuals with more than just a casual interest in sports. Successful prop betting requires a deeper understanding of the teams, players, and the sport itself, making it more suitable for intermediate or knowledgeable sports enthusiasts.

Prop bets, especially player prop bets, demand a comprehensive knowledge of the teams and players involved. To be profitable in this type of betting, you need to go beyond surface-level information. You must thoroughly analyze week-to-week matchups, understand team strategies, and have a keen awareness of the intricacies of the sports league in question.

Therefore, while beginners can certainly explore prop bets, they should be prepared to invest time and effort into studying the sports and teams they intend to bet on.

How Do Sportsbooks Set Prop Odds?

Setting prop betting odds is a multifaceted and dynamic process for sportsbooks. These odds are designed to accurately reflect the expectations and intricacies surrounding specific games and events. Sportsbooks employ a diverse range of factors to craft these odds, ensuring they provide an engaging and competitive betting experience for enthusiasts.

One crucial factor considered when setting prop odds is injuries. Sportsbooks closely monitor the injury status of key players, recognizing that the absence or presence of even a single athlete can significantly impact the outcome of a prop bet. Injuries, whether minor or major, are factored into the odds calculations.

Team chemistry is another critical element. Sportsbooks assess how well teams work together, as team dynamics can influence individual and collective performances. They also delve into past team and player performances, scrutinizing historical data to identify trends that might affect the odds.

Advanced analytics play a pivotal role in shaping prop odds. Sportsbooks analyze a wealth of statistical data, providing insights into team and player capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This data-driven approach helps in crafting precise odds.

Furthermore, sportsbooks continuously monitor betting trends and public sentiment. Sudden shifts in betting patterns can lead to odds adjustments, allowing sportsbooks to manage their risk effectively.

Prop Examples in Sports Betting

So, you know a bit about how prop bets work in the world of sports, but now it’s time to apply that knowledge to the actual playing field. To give you an idea of what prop bets look like across the sporting landscape, we’ve put together a list of examples across all of America’s most popular sports.

NFL

Imagine you’re betting on an NFL game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs. One popular team prop bet involves the total rushing yards the Chiefs will accumulate during the game. Let’s say the sportsbook sets the over/under line at 150.5 rushing yards for the Chiefs. You can then wager on whether you think the Chiefs will rush for more (over) or fewer (under) than 150.5 yards as a team during the game.

NBA

Consider an NBA basketball game featuring the Milwaukee Bucks. For a player prop bet, you might focus on the performance of their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Let’s say the sportsbook sets the over/under line at 8.5 assists for Giannis in the game. You can place a wager on whether you believe Giannis will record more (over) or fewer (under) than 8.5 assists during the game.

MLB

Let’s head on over to Major League Baseball for our next example. Consider Atlanta Braves star pitcher Spencer Strider. You think he’s going to dominate the opposing lineup and could get a ton of strikeouts. You decide to put a prop bet down for Strider to get 12+ strikeouts at +300 odds. If he was to get 12 or more Ks you’d get $300 on a $100 bet.

NHL

Imagine an NHL matchup featuring the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For a team prop bet, you can wager on the total number of shots on target by the Boston Bruins during the game. Let’s say the sportsbook sets the over/under line at 32.5 shots on target for the Bruins. You can bet on whether you believe the Bruins will have more (over) or fewer (under) than 32.5 shots on target in the game.

Soccer

In a soccer match featuring top-tier teams like Manchester United and Liverpool, you can place a player prop bet on a player known for their physical play, like Casemiro. You might bet on whether the defensive midfielder will receive a yellow card during the match. This player prop adds excitement to the game by allowing you to follow a specific player’s actions on the field and wager on their performance in terms of disciplinary actions.

Combat Sports

Consider a highly anticipated UFC bout featuring Conor McGregor. For a prop bet, you could wager on whether McGregor will win the fight by knockout if you see that his opponent tends to not be the best at blocking strikes.

Tennis

In a tennis match featuring top-ranked players like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, you can place a prop bet on the total number of aces served by Djokovic during the match. Let’s say the odds are at +150 for him to get 8+ aces, meaning you’d win $150 on an $100 bet.

Props Betting Tips

Before we send you on your way, we want to give you some tips to make the best proposition bets possible. These tips aren’t tailored towards experts and are easy pieces of advice that you use across not just prop bets, but sports wagering as a whole.

Always Analyze the Matchup

Beginning prop bettors often overlook a crucial aspect: thoroughly analyzing the matchup. It’s not enough to focus solely on the team or player you want to bet on; consider the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses too.

For instance, in an NBA matchup, if you’re looking at player props for rebounds, take note of the opponent’s rebounding capabilities. If they’re known for poor rebounding, this might be an opportunity to bet on a player from the opposing team to exceed their rebounding average.

In prop betting, understanding the full context of the matchup can lead to more informed and strategic wagers.

Never Miss the Injury Report

The injury report is a valuable resource for prop bettors. It provides crucial information about players who won’t be participating or might have limited roles in the game due to injuries.

For example, if a key starter is sidelined, you could consider placing a player prop on their backup, who is likely to get more playing time and potentially perform better. On the flip side, if a star defender who was expected to guard a certain player is injured, it might be an excellent opportunity to bet on that player’s prop.