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What Is a Prop Bet in Sports Betting

Editor - Casino Expert

Publish Date: 01.05.2025

Fact checked by: Angel Cabal

If you’ve always wanted to know what is a prop bet, then you are not alone. Like most punters, I started my betting journey placing wagers on popular betting markets such as moneyline, spreads, and over/under totals.

However, if you’ve been at it for far too long, you begin to notice that betting on these markets becomes boring. That’s when you start exploring options and that’s where prop bets come in. In this article, I will talk more about prop bets, the various bet types and its popularity among bettors. So, let’s get on with it.

Table of Contents

What is a prop bet?
Pros and cons of prop bets
Types of prop bets
Conclusion – Ready to dive into prop bets?
What is a prop bet FAQ

What is a prop bet?

Prop bets are bets you can place on a specific outcome of the game. Unlike traditional bets such as moneyline, spreads, and totals, prop bets can be based on various factors, including player and team performances as well as other scenarios that have little to do with the final score. A key attribute I love about prop bets is its micro-focus on specific outcomes. While traditional bets often require you to predict the final outcome, a prop bet breaks the game down into more focused and bite-sized segments.

If that’s not good enough, prop bets also pay out quickly, which is perfect if you are signed up to one of those fast withdrawal betting sites. So, for example, if you bet on Luka Doncic to hit over 30.5 points and he scored his 31st point in the third quarter, you’ll no longer have to wait for the game to be finished for your winnings to be paid out. Unless, of course, it’s included in a parlay.

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Pros and cons of prop bets

Prop bets offer plenty of unique advantages, especially if you are looking for value when overmatched teams take on cellar-dwellers. However, prop bets do come with a much higher risk since you are predicting on a specific outcome in the game. That’s why it’s important that you know the pros and cons of prop bets to ensure an enjoyable and stress-free betting experience at top bookmakers.

Advantages

Various betting options
Competitive betting odds
Less reliant on final result
Arbitrage betting opportunities

Disadvantages

Increased risk of emotional decisions

Types of prop bets

Like most bettors, I’ve heard a thing or two about prop bets since it was talked about among my peers similar to topics like what is a teaser in sports betting. What surprised me, though, was the variety of prop bets available. I initially had the belief that prop bets were limited to simple, straightforward options like who would score first or how many points a player would score. However, I soon realized that prop bets extend beyond these things.

Types of prop bets	Description	Examples
Player props	Betting on player performance	Jordan Poole Over/Under 30.5 points
Team props	Betting on various aspects of team performance	Boston Celtics Over/Under 15.5 three-pointers made
Game props	Betting on several in-game events	Which team will score the first touchdown?

Player props

Player props bets are arguably the most popular prop bet type and perhaps my favorite simply because it’s less reliant on the team’s overall performance. In this market, you will be betting on specific individual performances and outcomes for a player in a game. Here’s a good example of a player prop bet.

Jordan Poole Over 20.5 points (-114): A $100 bet will pay $188 if Poole scores 21 points or more
Jordan Poole Under 20.5 points (-114): A $100 bet will pay $188 if Poole scores 20 points or less

Since you are relying on individual performances, player prop bets can be perfect if you have inside knowledge on specific athletes or in scenarios where good players play on bad teams. Take the Washington Wizards for example, who are among the worst teams in the NBA. With Wizards having less talent than powerhouse teams, the 25-year old Poole will have plenty of opportunities of shooting the ball, making the over 20.5 points bet a good value selection.

Team props

Team prop bets are bets you can make that focus on specific occurrences and achievements by a team in a game. This can be quite appealing if you love numbers since you’ll need to dig deep into team stats, trends, historical data, and even advanced statistics like offensive and defensive ratings to find value. What I love about team prop bets is the fact that it can offer better value compared to traditional bets like moneyline and spreads especially in scenarios where a team might win by a large margin.

For example, in a game between the defending champions Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards where the former are the heavy odds-on favorite to win. Betting on the spreads might be a good idea but there’s always a possibility that either team might cover or the price offered might not offer plenty of juice. By betting on team props such as total team points, three-pointers made, or first-half performance, you can potentially find better value and reduce the unpredictability that comes with large spreads.

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Game props

Game prop is another type of prop bet you can make, although this is something quite more specific than the previous two I’ve mentioned. In game props, you will be betting on specific outcomes or events within a game that is not directly tied to the score. Here are several examples of game prop bets.

American Football: Will the first play of the game be a run or a pass?

Run: (-110)
Pass: (-110)

NBA: Will the game go into overtime?

Yes: (+1250)
No: (-5000)

Soccer: Will there be a goal in the first 10 minutes?

Yes: (+110)
No: (-110)

What makes prop bets among value-hunting bettors is the juice you can get, especially in rare or specific scenarios. When betting on game props, it’s always a good idea to place action in the middle of the game once you’ve assessed the playing tempo. This gives you plenty of opportunities to find value since bookmakers often concentrate on popular markets such as moneyline, spreads, and totals.

Conclusion – Ready to dive into prop bets?

As you can see, prop bets offer plenty of excitement and variety compared to traditional betting markets like moneyline, spreads, and totals. Whether you like betting on player props, team props, or on quirky things like a first touchdown, prop bets let you explore new and exciting betting angles that can offer excellent value. So, if you’re ready to shift your focus from the final score and engage with the more specific details of a game, prop bets could be just what you’re looking for.