Prop Betting

Prop bets are an excellent way to add a few wagers to your betting slip without having to focus as much on predicting the winners and losers of a sporting event. That’s because prop bets (short for “proposition bets”) are rarely dependent on the final score and instead focus on specific in-game events and statistical accomplishments.

Sometimes, for major events like the Super Bowl, the prop bets may not have anything to do with events within the game; they could include things like the color of sports drink poured on the head coach of the winning team or the outcome of the opening coin toss (heads or tails).

In this guide to prop betting, we’ll explain the types of prop bets you’ll be able to find at the top U.S. sportsbooks. We will also walk you through how to place prop bets and offer some strategies before playing props on your bet slip.

What are Prop Bets?

The Different Types of Prop Bets

There are three main types of prop bets you’ll be able to play: player props, team/game props, and novelty/exotic props. There are a few subtle but important differences to keep in mind with each type.

Player props

Player props are focused on an individual player’s performance in a game. They are typically expressed in an over/under format, such as over/under 3.5 shots on goal, over/under 20.5 points, or over/under 75 rushing yards.

However, they can also include other accomplishments, such as whether or not they will score a goal, hit a home run, lead a set in tennis, or a lap in an auto race. To help you with your research, Bettor In Green offers daily cheat sheets for player prop bets.

Team/Game props

Team and game props follow a similar model as player props but instead focus on team accomplishments, such as whether each team in a soccer game will score a goal in the first half, first drive, or first inning, or whether either team will score over or under a projected point total (different than the combined over/under total).

Novelty/Exotic props

Novelty and exotic props typically offer lower odds and betting limits than the others on this list given that they aren’t as game-focused as the other types listed above. They aren’t as common during regular season competitions but instead tend to focus around special events such as All-Star Games and Championships that carry off-field festivities.

Examples would include the length of time of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl (over/under), which coach will call the first timeout, or which artists will appear as special guests during the halftime show.

How to Place Prop Bets

Once you’ve done your research and decided which props you want to play, the process for placing prop bets is simple. Just follow these steps and you’ll be ready to go!

1. Research the prop bets you intend to make to ensure you’re making a well-informed decision on the betting markets.
2. Shop the odds at several sportsbooks to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your prop bets.
3. Open the sportsbook app or browser-based platform where you’ll make your bets.
4. Tap/click on the game where your props will play out.
5. Select the prop bets you wish to play.
6. Decide on the amount of money you want to wager on each prop. The size of your stake is up to you in most cases (as long as you’re within the sportsbook’s limits), but it should always be within your financial means.
7. Click “Submit” and wait for the wagers you made to settle to see if you’re a winner!

Strategies for Betting on Props

Before you start betting on props, we hope you’ll keep these strategies in mind:

• Do your research: The worst prop bet you can place is one that is ill-informed and unresearched; why make it harder to win? Analyze the matchups, injury reports, weather conditions, recent, season-long, and multi-year trends (when applicable), and odds movement to help develop more consistent winning opportunities.
• Avoid complex props that don’t have data: As a continuation of our prior point, it’s best to steer clear of exotic props and novelty wagers that don’t have a ton of data to support them. Playing these markets is fine, but don’t spend too much time or money on these prop types; instead, focus on the lines where you have data to support your decisions.
• Make decisions quickly when updates are available: There are more tools available than ever before to track injury information, starting lineups, and other news that can impact the likelihood of your prop bets hitting. This also means the odds can change in a hurry once updates are available. When matchup news is posted and confirmed, make a quick decision about your prop odds before the markets become less favorable.
• Set betting limits: You’ve probably heard by now that it’s important to set limits on how much money you can spend at a sportsbook, but setting time limits is an important and effective strategy as well. Online sportsbooks are required to have parameters in place to keep you from spending too much time and money on their gambling platforms. Don’t be afraid to walk away and take a break, especially if your last few bets haven’t resulted in payouts.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know about the different types of prop bets you can place, how to add them to your betting slip, and tips for developing more consistent winning habits. Discipline and practice are the keys to prop betting success; trust your research and make adjustments as needed along the way.

Prop bets are a fun way to gamble on sports, but if they aren’t for you, perhaps another type of betting market might be preferable. Be sure to check out our betting type guides to find the right fit for your gambling needs and wants.

Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!

FAQ

Can you parlay prop bets with other types of bets?

Yes, you can parlay prop bets with other types of bets. This is common for same game parlays but you can combine props, totals, spread bets, and moneyline wagers when making your parlays.

What are the most common prop bets for NFL games?

The most common prop bets for NFL games are first touchdown scorer and anytime touchdown scorer. You can also find props for player rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions, sacks, interceptions, field goals, and more.

What are the risks of betting on prop bets?

There are many risks associated with betting on prop bets, the biggest of which is losing your money (though that risk is not exclusive to prop bets). Other risks include spending too much time on gambling sites that it takes away from other activities and the potential for development of a gambling addiction/compulsion.

Can you bet on player prop bets in every state where sports betting is legal?

Yes, you can bet on player prop bets in every state where sports betting is legal. However, some states will not allow betting on college sports player props; others may not allow any collegiate sports betting at all.