Jimmy Boyd in 
If you’ve been around sports betting, you’ve probably heard the term “prop bet” thrown around. Proposition bets (prop bets) are wagers on specific events or statistics within a game that aren’t directly tied to the final outcome or score.
In other words, instead of betting on who wins or the point spread, you’re betting on whether a particular thing happens. This could be anything from how many touchdowns a quarterback will throw, to which team scores first, to the color of Gatorade dumped on a coach after a championship game.
Prop bets add a whole new world of fun and strategy to sports betting – and they’re becoming more popular every year.
Prop bets can be easy to grasp even if you’re new. Think of them as side bets on the game’s little stories. A sportsbook proposes something will happen (or not happen), and you bet on yes or no.
For example, “Will the Super Bowl coin toss land heads or tails?” is a classic novelty prop. Or “Will LeBron James score over 30 points tonight?” is a player prop.
These bets let you focus on individual performances and quirky outcomes rather than just the final score. They’re hugely popular among both casual bettors (who enjoy the entertainment value and fantasy-sports-like feel) and serious bettors (who hunt for statistical edges in less efficient markets).
In the sections below, we’ll break down the different types of prop bets, look at examples across various sports, and share tips on how to bet props profitably.
Types of Prop Bets: Player, Team, Game & Exotic Props
Prop bets come in a few flavors, and it’s important to know the difference. The four main categories are player props, team props, game props, and novelty/exotic props. Let’s unpack each one with some examples so you know what to expect.
Player Prop Bets
Player props are bets on an individual player’s performance or achievements in a game. These are arguably the most popular type of prop, especially for fans of fantasy sports.
In a player prop, you’re predicting a specific stat or event for one player. Common examples include: a football player’s total yards or touchdowns, a basketball player’s points or rebounds, a baseball pitcher’s strikeouts, or a hockey player’s goals. The sportsbook will set a line or scenario for the player, and you bet over/under or yes/no on that outcome.
For instance, you might see an NFL prop like “Patrick Mahomes over/under 2.5 touchdown passes”. If you take the over, you’re betting Mahomes will throw 3 or more TDs; under means 2 or fewer.
In NBA, a player prop could be “LeBron James to record a triple-double – Yes (+120) or No (-150)”, meaning you bet whether he will get double digits in points, rebounds, and assists in a game.
Player props can also be head-to-head, like betting which of two players will score more points or who will have more rushing yards. Sportsbooks like BetOnline and Bovada typically post dozens of player props for star players each game – from straightforward stats to first-or-last accomplishments (e.g. “Who will score the first touchdown?”).
Player props are great because they let you leverage your knowledge of individual athletes. If you follow a player closely and think the books set their line too high or low, a player prop is where you can capitalize. Just remember that factors like injuries, coaching decisions, or game script (e.g. a blowout could bench a player early) can all impact whether a player hits their numbers.
Team Prop Bets
Team props are wagers on outcomes related to a team’s performance, rather than a single player or the final score of the entire game. With a team prop, the focus is on one team’s achievements in a game or a specific segment of the game  . These bets remove the individual player variable and look at collective stats or milestones.
Some common team prop examples are: total team points (will Team A score over/under X points?), team touchdowns or goals (e.g. “Will the Dallas Cowboys score 3 or more touchdowns?”), or first/next team to do something (like “Which team will score first?” or “First team to reach 20 points”). You might also see props like “Will Team A have a shutout?” in hockey, or “Will Team B hit a home run in the game?” in baseball, which are team-based outcomes.
Another popular team prop is betting on a team’s points in a portion of the game – for example, first-half team total. Let’s say Team X’s first-half over/under is 14.5 points. If you take the over, you need Team X to score 15 or more points in the first half. There are also race-to-X points props (which team gets to 10, 20, 30 points first) and yes/no props like “Will Team Y score in every quarter?”
Sportsbooks such as MyBookie or Bovada often offer these team-focused props, especially for high-profile games. Team props can be a nice way to bet on a team’s performance without worrying about whether they cover the spread or win the game.
Game Prop Bets
Game props (also called match props or event props) are wagers on occurrences or milestones that involve both teams or aren’t tied to one specific side. These bets deal with events in the game as a whole.
Unlike betting the game’s outcome (moneyline, spread, or total), a game prop zooms in on specific in-game happenings that could involve either team or the interaction between them.
Examples of game props include: “Will the game go to overtime – Yes or No?”, “Total combined three-pointers made in an NBA game by both teams”, “Will there be a defensive or special teams touchdown in the game?”, or “Which half will have more points scored?”
Another common one is the winning margin prop: e.g. betting that Team A will win by 1–6 points, 7–12 points, etc., which offers higher payouts for nailing a specific range. You might also see props like “Will there be a safety in the game?”, or “Will both teams score 20+ points?” in a football game. In baseball, a game prop might be “Will there be extra innings – Yes (+x odds)”, or in soccer “Will both teams score at least one goal?”.
Game props can sometimes overlap with what we consider exotic bets (for example, the Super Bowl “coin toss” bet is technically a game prop because it’s an event tied to the game, albeit a very random one). The key is that game props involve the general flow or events of the game, not isolated to one team or player.
They’re a fun way to bet on aspects like momentum swings or unusual events without picking a winner. Many sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetOnline, etc.) offer a wide menu of game props, especially for big games – you can bet on everything from total first downs in a football game to whether an NBA game’s total points will be odd or even.
Novelty & Exotic Prop Bets
Novelty props (also known as exotic props) are the wild and wacky propositions that often go beyond the actual gameplay. These can be related to sports but not to the athletic performance directly, or even completely unrelated to sports. They’re especially popular during major events like the Super Bowl or NCAA Championship, where sportsbooks get creative with things for entertainment value.
Classic novelty sports props include bets like the length of the National Anthem performance, the result of the coin toss, what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach, or who the MVP of the game will mention first in their speech. These don’t affect the game’s outcome at all, but they’re fun side bets for fans. Sportsbooks know people love these, so they oblige with a variety of crazy options.
For example, one year you could bet on who would score more points on a given day: Tom Brady in the Super Bowl vs. Kobe Bryant in an NBA game (a real cross-sport prop from 2008). The odds on these far-out props tend to be pretty high (long odds) because the events are unlikely or just very hard to predict.
Outside of sports, exotic props can venture into pop culture or current events. It’s not unheard of to see odds on award shows (Oscars, Emmys), reality TV outcomes, or even weather occurrences.
A sportsbook might post something like “Will it snow during the Super Bowl?” or “Which movie will win Best Picture at the Oscars?” Keep in mind, availability of these bets depends on where you’re betting.
For instance, Nevada regulators often don’t allow certain non-sporting prop bets (like the Super Bowl Gatorade color), but many offshore or online sportsbooks (like Bovada or MyBookie) will offer them freely.
Novelty props are mostly for fun and bragging rights. Because they’re harder to handicap with stats, they’re generally a gamble in the purest sense. We recommend enjoying these in moderation – maybe throw in a small wager for entertainment. They’re a great way to spice up a big event or engage the whole party with silly bets, but they shouldn’t be the core of a serious betting strategy.
Examples of Prop Bets in Major Sports
Prop bets are available in just about every sport out there. Here are some real-world examples of proposition bets you might find across the major leagues and events:
- NFL (Pro Football): The NFL is prop betting heaven. You can bet on player stats like passing yards, rushing yards, receptions, or anytime touchdown scorers. Team props might include team total points or first team to score. Game props feature things like will there be overtime, total field goals made, or even props on the Super Bowl coin toss or halftime show. For big games, sportsbooks like Bovada and BetOnline roll out hundreds of props (everything from the length of the national anthem to who wins MVP).
- College Football: College games have props too, though usually fewer than the NFL. You’ll often find team props (like first team to 10 points, or team totals) and some game props (will there be a defensive TD, etc.). Player props in regular college games are sometimes limited or not offered, especially on smaller matchups, but big bowl games and College Football Playoff games feature a wider selection. For example, a top bowl game might have a star quarterback’s passing yard O/U line to bet on.
- NBA (Pro Basketball): In the NBA, popular prop bets include player points, rebounds, assists, or combo stats (like points + rebounds + assists). You can bet things like “Stephen Curry over/under 4.5 three-pointers made” or “Will any player score 40+ points in the game?”. Team props could be first team to score 20 points or team total threes. Game props range from “Will the game go to overtime?” to winning margin bets. Even same-game parlays have become popular by combining multiple props in one NBA game (though that’s another topic).
- College Basketball: Similar to college football, college basketball prop betting is a bit more limited outside of marquee games. You’ll often see props during March Madness or big rivalry games – for instance, an over/under on a star player’s points in the Final Four. Team props like first to 15 points or team totals for a half are common. If Zion Williamson were playing in March Madness, you might get a prop on his points or dunks in a game – but on a random Tuesday college game, you might only have basic game bets available.
- MLB (Baseball): Baseball offers a range of props, especially revolving around pitching and hitting stats. Common MLB props include over/under on a starting pitcher’s strikeouts, will a player hit a home run, or total bases by a star hitter. You can also bet on things like “Will there be a run scored in the first inning – Yes or No?”, which is a popular game prop. Team props could be team total runs or which team will hit the most home runs in the game. For example, BetOnline might list “Max Scherzer over/under 7.5 strikeouts” at -120 odds, or “Yes (+105) for a first-inning score in the Yankees vs. Red Sox game”.
- NHL (Hockey): Hockey props often focus on goal scoring, goalie performance, and game events. You might bet “Will Player X score a goal?” or over/under on a goalie’s saves. Team props can be team total goals or first team to score. Game props might include “Will the game go to a shootout?” or over/under on total power-play opportunities. For instance, a prop could be “Sidney Crosby to score at least 2 points – Yes +180”. If you’re betting with a book like Bovada, they may also offer fun NHL props during the Stanley Cup (like betting on the Conn Smythe MVP or total goals in the series, which blur the line between props and futures).
- WNBA: Yes, even the WNBA has prop bets! In women’s pro basketball, you’ll find player props such as over/under on Breanna Stewart’s points or Candace Parker’s rebounds. Team props could include team totals or first team to 20 points in a game. While the menus might not be as extensive as NBA, major sportsbooks do offer WNBA props for those who follow the league. For example, you might bet “Arike Ogunbowale over 3.5 assists” or “Will any team score 100+ points in this game?”. The WNBA props market can actually present opportunities since it’s a bit niche – lines might not be as sharp if the oddsmakers aren’t paying super close attention to every roster update.
As you can see, prop bets span every sport and give you creative ways to wager. Whether you’re betting on a superstar’s performance, a team milestone, or a zany novelty outcome, there’s likely a prop for it. The variety is huge – and that’s exactly why prop betting is so engaging.
Just remember that each sport has its nuances (for example, NFL and NBA have tons of player props, while college sports have fewer player-centric props due to unpredictable blowouts or restrictions). Always read the fine print too: many books will void a player prop if the player doesn’t play, for instance, so you don’t automatically win an under if someone is inactive.
How Prop Bet Lines Are Set and Why They Move
Understanding how sportsbooks set prop lines (and how those lines move) can give you a big advantage. Oddsmakers use a mix of statistics, historical data, and predictive models to set an initial number for a prop, similar to how they price point spreads or totals. They consider factors like recent player performances, defensive matchups, injuries, weather, and even public betting tendencies when coming up with a line.
For example, if a star running back is facing a weak run defense, the sportsbook might set his rushing yard prop higher than his season average would suggest, anticipating he’ll have a big game. Essentially, they crunch a lot of numbers to estimate what’s most likely to happen, and then they add in a bit of cushion (the “vig” or juice) to ensure they make money if bets are balanced.
When a prop is first released, it often opens at an even payoff on either side (for an over/under or yes/no prop) – typically around -110 odds on both sides (risk $110 to win $100). Sportsbooks do this hoping to get roughly equal action on the over and under. But prop lines don’t stay still for long. Once bettors start wagering, the books will adjust the lines based on the action they’re seeing.
If a ton of money comes in on one side of a prop, the sportsbook might change the odds (e.g. move the -110 to -130 to make that side less attractive and the other side +100 more attractive) or adjust the line itself (e.g. bump a player’s points line from 24.5 up to 26.5) to encourage more bets on the opposite side. This is just like how a point spread might move from -3 to -4 if everyone is betting the favorite.
Player news and other information can also cause rapid line movement. If a key player is announced as inactive, any props involving that player will be taken down or voided. If a starting quarterback is suddenly out, related props (receivers’ yards, team props, etc.) will move accordingly.
In smaller-scale cases, even something like a weather report (say a strong wind forecast in an NFL game) might lead books to lower the passing yard props or raise the rushing props. Sportsbooks have to constantly adjust to new information to keep their lines efficient.
However, prop markets are not as efficient or closely monitored as big markets like game lines. There are so many props offered – especially on big games – that bookmakers simply can’t watch and perfect every number. They might set dozens of props per game and then focus their attention on the main bets and the handful of props getting heavy action.
This means opportunities for bettors: occasionally a prop line will be slow to react to news or will be based on a miscalculation. For example, if a team’s star point guard is on a minutes restriction that the public hasn’t caught onto yet, the under on his points or assists might be a great bet before the line drops.
It’s also worth noting that sportsbooks themselves acknowledge props are harder for them to get perfect by limiting the amount you can bet on props. It’s common to see much lower betting limits for prop wagers than for the game’s spread or total. A book might take six-figure bets on an NFL spread, but cap prop bets at a few hundred dollars or less. If a sportsbook only lets you bet $50 on a certain obscure prop, it’s a sign they’re not as confident in that line and want to limit their risk (because a sharp bettor might actually have inside info or a strong edge there).
As a prop bettor, understanding these limits is key – you won’t be able to slam a soft line with huge bets, so the value of prop betting often comes through steady, smaller wins or finding multiple books with similar props to spread bets around.
The bottom line is that prop lines are set with the best info oddsmakers have, but they’re more prone to inefficiencies. Lines will move based on betting action and news, so timing and line shopping (betting at the best number available) can make a big difference in prop betting success.
Tips for Betting on Props Profitably
Prop bets are not just fun side action – they can also be profitable if you approach them with the right strategy. Here are some tips and strategies to help you make the most of your prop betting:
- Do Your Homework (Research is Key): Treat prop bets like any serious bet – back them with solid research. Look at player statistics, recent form, matchups, and any relevant news. For example, if you’re eyeing a player prop on an NBA player’s rebound total, check how that player has been rebounding lately, how the opposing team fares in rebounding, and if there are any injuries (maybe the opposing center is out, which could boost rebounds). The more you know, the better you can spot a bad line. Savvy prop bettors often specialize in certain sports or even specific teams/players so they can quickly identify when a sportsbook’s projection seems off. Remember, oddsmakers have to post lines on hundreds of players and scenarios, so they might not catch every nuance – that’s where your extra knowledge pays off.
- Line Shop for the Best Odds: One of the golden rules of all betting, but especially for props, is to shop around at multiple sportsbooks. Different books can have different numbers for the same prop. For instance, BetOnline might have Josh Allen’s rushing yards set at 42.5, while Bovada has 45.5 – if you want to bet the over, you’d much rather get 42.5. Odds can differ too; one book’s -110 might be another book’s -105 or -115. Always compare odds at a few trusted books (like BetOnline, Bovada, MyBookie, DraftKings, etc.) before placing your prop bet. Over the long run, getting a slightly better line or price makes a big difference to your profits. Plus, having accounts at multiple sportsbooks ensures you can grab the best number before it moves.
- Watch for (and Exploit) Market Inefficiencies: As mentioned above, prop markets are often softer. This means if you’re quick and well-informed, you can find edges. For example, if a team’s star running back is unexpectedly ruled out on Sunday morning, the backups’ prop lines might not move immediately – giving you a chance to bet their overs before the sportsbook adjusts. Or maybe you notice a role player consistently getting more targets each week, but the books are still setting his reception line very low. These are the kind of inefficient spots sharp bettors love. Serious bettors flock to props because the high volume of offerings means odds-makers are more likely to post a few bad lines that can be exploited . Keep an eye on under-the-radar news (local beat reporters, etc.) that might not be priced into a prop yet. React quickly when you see a discrepancy. Being first to the information can translate into locking in a great bet.
- Understand Biases (Sometimes the Value is on the “Unders”): It’s more fun to bet on things to happen rather than not happen. Sportsbooks know casual bettors love taking overs on player props (who doesn’t want to root for more points, yards, or big plays?). This can lead to a slight bias where overs are set a tad higher or have extra juice, and unders might hold value. If you notice a prop line seems inflated because of hype or public sentiment, don’t be afraid to bet the under. Think about it: injuries, bad games, or early benchings happen – all of which help an under. It’s not as exciting to sweat an under (nobody cheers for a player to not score), but winning is pretty exciting in itself. In summary, always consider both sides; sometimes the smarter play is the less popular one.
- Manage Your Bankroll and Stay Selective: The world of prop bets is vast and it’s easy to get carried away. You’ll see dozens of juicy-looking props for a single game. But just because the bets are there doesn’t mean you should bet them all. Stay selective and choose the props that you feel most confident about based on your research. It’s better to focus on a few strong bets than scatter money across 15 different props you only half-studied. Also, manage your bet sizes. Because props have lower limits and can be a bit more volatile (a single play or coach’s decision can swing a bet), consider betting smaller amounts than you might on a game’s spread or total. This way one fluke play doesn’t bust your bankroll. Treat prop betting as a long-term endeavor where consistent, smart picks add up. You won’t win every prop bet (far from it), but with discipline you can come out ahead over the long run.
- Take Advantage of Promotions and Props Specials: Many sportsbooks run promotions or boost odds for certain prop bets, especially around big events. For example, a site might offer enhanced odds on a popular player to score a touchdown, or a refund if your NBA player prop loses by a slim margin. Keep an eye on these deals – they can tilt the value in your favor or provide a safety net. Just be sure to read the terms (some boosts have max bet limits or other conditions). Additionally, some books offer pre-made prop parlays or “same-game parlays” where you combine props for bigger payouts. Be cautious with those – they’re fun, but the odds of winning drop as you add more legs (and books often have higher hold on those). Use them sparingly or for entertainment, unless you’ve done the math and truly like the correlated outcomes.
- Enjoy the Entertainment (But Don’t Go Overboard): One reason prop bets are so popular is they’re fun! They can make a blowout game interesting because you’re still watching that one player chase his stats, or make a dull moment exciting because you have a wager on the next touchdown or even the coin toss. Embrace that enjoyment. At the same time, if your goal is profit, stay grounded. It’s fine to throw a few bucks on a crazy exotic prop during the Super Bowl (like the anthem length or a quirky cross-sport matchup) for laughs – just treat those as entertainment expenses. Keep the larger portion of your betting bankroll for props where you believe you have a real edge. In short: have fun with prop bets, but keep your expectations realistic and don’t let the novelty distract you from sound betting principles.
Final Thoughts: Proposition bets add depth to sports betting by allowing you to wager on almost any aspect of the game. They’re a perfect bridge between sports betting and fantasy sports, and they can reward the fan who pays attention to the details. Whether you’re a newbie just looking to have some fun or an intermediate bettor aiming to find soft lines, prop bets have something for you.
Remember to bet with your head and not just your gut – use the stats, shop for the best odds, and pick your spots. If you do that, prop bets can be both an enjoyable and profitable part of your sports betting arsenal.
Good luck, and happy prop hunting!