Prop Bets
Prop bets, short for proposition bets, are wagers on specific events that happen during a game.
These novelty side bets can be related to essentially anything and aren’t associated with the final score or who wins the game.
This guide explains the basics of prop bets, gives examples for different sports, and shows you the best sportsbooks to wager on propositions.
All About Prop Bets
Top Sports Betting Sites For Props
What is a Prop Bet?
Prop bets derive from propositioning unique side bets before or during a game.
They are often simple “yes” or “no” types of wagers that casual fans can feel comfortable making. You can take a shot at most props even if you don’t know much about a game’s detailed statistics.
These wagers can also focus on granular data for specific player props or one statistic that a team might or might not hit for game props.
They range from things like how many rebounds someone will get to the longest touchdown yardage during a game.
Examples of Different Proposition Bets in Sports
Betting on props is one the most unique and entertaining forms of sports gambling. You can essentially wager on anything. With the addition of custom props builders, many online sportsbooks aim to let you do just that.
Check out a few examples below:
Game Props
- Which team will score first?
- Will the coin toss results be heads or tails?
- Will the game end in a tie?
Player Props
- How many shots on goal will a player have?
- Will a player score touchdown?
- Will a player hit a home run?
Prop Betting Explained: Top Proposition Bets & Winning Strategies
This video explains prop bets a little bit further. It gives even more examples and explains what to look for when strategically shopping lines.
Best Sportsbooks For Props Bets
| Rank | Top Betting Sites | Deposit Bonus | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bovada |
Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 | Bet Now |
| 2 |
BetUS |
Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $2,500 | Bet Now |
| 3 |
Betonline |
Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 | Bet Now |
BetUS Sportsbook
BetUS is an excellent sportsbook to bet propositions.
They offer a juicy 100% Up To $2,500 welcome bonus to bring new users to their platform.
They also have a promo for crypto users. A 150% Crypto Bonus.
It gives you a 100% sportsbook bonus + 50% casino bonus by using the code SU150CRYPT when making your crypto deposit.
Bovada Sportsbook
Bovada Sportsbook is a perfect choice for US gamblers to bet on props.
They’re one of the pioneers of offshore betting and are an elite option.
Bettors get a 50% Up To $250 bonus on their first deposit at Bovada. It’s one of the few online sportsbooks with a VIP Points cash program on all bets.
MyBookie Sportsbook
MyBookie Sportsbook has an incredible selection of game and player props.
Plus, it offers a large variety of markets and a deposit bonus of 100% up to $1,000.
Try out their prop builder that creates odds in real time as you adjust the settings.
Do Sportsbooks Lose Money on Prop Bets?
It’s a little-known secret that many prop betting sites lose money on these wagers. Of course, that begs the question, why offer them in the first place?
Well, first of all, they probably are not losing that much money on their proposition bet markets. If they were, they would drop them altogether, as Pinnacle Sports did with some NFL props a few years back (they have since readded them).
Additionally, sportsbooks expand their player base with prop bets by bringing in casual fans that want to have fun. Taking everything into account, they are likely at least breaking even.
The Best Sports for Prop Bets
Professional sports are great for prop betting. Sportsbooks make lines on game and player props for virtually every event.
To know more about prop betting for a particular sport, see our sports-specific prop betting strategy pages:
NFL Prop Betting
NFL prop betting is for gamblers that want fun wagers on their favorite players and teams.
Super Bowl Props
The Super Bowl is all about props! Every betting site in the world gears up for Super Bowl prop betting.
College Football Props
College football prop bets offer profitable opportunities and are more popular every year.
MLB Prop Betting
The MLB offers great betting opportunities due to the long season. Check out our MLB prop betting guide!
NBA Prop Betting
Basketball is one of the most followed sports in the world. NBA prop betting is one of the hottest betting markets.
MMA Prop Betting
MMA prop betting not only offers profitable opportunities but also some of the most fun bettors can have.
Prop Betting Basics
Prop bets are one of the topics we cover heavily at Safest Betting Sites due to their profitability. New bettors find them particularly useful when trying to increase bankrolls.
That said, propositions at even the best online sportsbooks tend to have higher juice than traditional betting markets, such as sides and totals, and lower betting limits.
Standard Limits And Opening Odds For Prop Bets
On average, sportsbooks set maximum betting limits on props around $250. However, some sites are as low as $50 or as high as $500 or more.
Prop bet odds do typically have a higher vig than straight wagers, starting at -115 compared to -110 on sides and totals. Sometimes, they are a 40-cent line or -120 on both sides.
The Best Prop Betting Strategy | Line Shopping
When it comes to prop betting strategy, line shopping is vital. That’s because, compared to more traditional betting markets, there is significant variation in prop odds from one sportsbook to the next.
There’s also a much better chance of finding a bet that is inefficient across the board, allowing bettors to max bet it across multiple prop bets websites.
Line Movement In Prop Bets
Another factor to consider is that props don’t always move with the primary markets. If the totals or spreads change, prop markets might not move in unison.
When news breaks, such as an injury or suspension, sides, totals, and moneylines get pulled off the board. Props, however, can linger around a bit longer, allowing savvy gamblers to capitalize on breaking news.
Prop Bets vs Futures Bets In Sports Betting
Futures bets are similar to prop bets in several ways. They’re both recreational betting markets that don’t move much with sharp action. They also have higher juice than the 10% vig charged on straight wagers.
The big difference between the two markets is that futures debatably offer no value. The juice on futures is perhaps the worst of all sports bets, with many markets charging vig of 25-30% or more.
The increase from -110 to -115 would make many markets unprofitable, but that isn’t the case with props. This edge for an experienced sports bettor is still enough to make prop markets +EV, for the most part.
Prop Bets Are A Good Option for New Gamblers
Propositions are particularly excellent markets to go after if you’re a new gambler looking to increase your bankroll.
Online sportsbooks don’t spend much time agonizing over the odds of each prop bet they offer. In fact, they usually trigger line movements automatically based on moving statistics.
That gives you a leg up over the more closely watched sides and totals. So, sure they have higher juice, but spending just a little time handicapping a prop can be a really effective strategy.
Ready to try your hand at these novelty wagers? Visit one of the top prop betting sites in the table above to sign up and get started.
Prop Bets FAQ
Find answers to commonly asked proposition bet questions below.
Prop bets are simply wagers that are not related to the final score or total of the game. They don’t work any differently than other bets. They’re still graded the same way and have the same rules as other betting markets.
Prop bets use the same odds and payout calculations as normal wagers on sides and totals. Most of the time, this will be in moneyline or American odds. For example, a prop bet with odds of -135 requires bettors to wager $135 to win $100.
Proposition bets may take a bit longer to grade than other wagers. You might wait half an hour after a game finishes to get credited with your winnings from prop bets. Sides and totals are usually settled much faster within a few minutes of the game concluding.
Props can take a little bit longer to calculate because the statistics need to get finalized for the game. There can be stat corrections after the final whistle on yards, catches made, sacks, etc.
It’s hard to say there is a “best” prop bet when betting on sports. However, when looking for a proposition, you should consider the wagering limits, frequency of available markets, and how soft the lines are.
Unlike major markets on sides and totals, props are not getting looked at nearly as much. In fact, some proposition bets may not even move or be adjusted after they are originally posted. When you can find props that offer substantial value, large betting limits, and are available often – that is a recipe for profits.
They are props centered around the performance of players. In football, this might be the yards or catches a receiver might have or the number of touchdowns a quarterback might throw. In basketball, this would be the number of points or rebounds.
Most props work like totals or over/under, but many have definitive outcomes, such as a player scoring a touchdown or not or which team will score first.
Yes, many sportsbooks are now offering in-game proposition bets. That includes player props. They’re becoming more available at sportsbooks every day.
Bet Some Props At These Trusted Offshore Sportsbooks
