What are Prop Bets?

A prop bet, proposition bet, or just “prop” for short, is a bet on an occurrence within a sports event other than the game or match’s final outcome. This versatile bet type can lead to bets on anything from the colour of Gatorade that will be poured on the Super Bowl-winning coach, to the amount of strikes a pitcher throws in a baseball game. Read on for everything you need to know about this simple and fun type of betting.

Examples of Prop Bets

How prop bets depends entirely on the particular proposition. Sportsbook will set prop betting lines on all kinds of different outcomes, depending on the sport and storyline involved in a particular game. Here are a few examples of prop bets you might see at TopBet sportsbook.

Player Props

A player prop is a prop bet line that is based on the performance of a particular player, or a comparative match up between two players, in a single game, series, or season. Example:

Total number of rushing yards for Adrian Peterson:
Over 86.5
Under 86.5

In this example, the prop bet proposes an over/under on how many rushing yards Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson will get in a particular game. You can bet either that he will finish with 87 or more yards, or 86 or less yards, in that game. For more on over/under betting and totals, visit our page breaking down those betting styles here.

This is just one example of a player prop. There are countless other styles of prop bets on how different players or athletes will perform in games, series’, or seasons.

Team Props

In some cases it is possible to wager on team props. Say, for example, the Brooklyn Nets are playing the Toronto Raptors in Toronto.

Example:

Race to 20 points
Toronto -145
Brooklyn +105

This prop is decided by, you guessed it, which team will score 20 points first. The final score in the game is not relevant, only which team gets 20 or more first.

Toronto is more likely to reach the 20-point plateau first, and is therefore valued at -145, meaning a $10 bet on the Raptors would pay $16.89, or $6.89 profit.

Pop Culture Props and Specials

In some cases, prop bets can even be placed on events outside of the realm of athletes or sports.

Example:

Winning Candidate – Presidential Election
Hilary Clinton +138
Chris Christie +900

This example prop, taken from the 2016 American Presidential Election race, prices the most likely candidates to win. While pop culture props often come with maximum bet limits, they are another fun way to get into the betting action.

When all is said and done, the prop betting options available are limitless.

From alternative game totals to even wackier player props, if it can be measured, there’s likely a prop bet for it.

Make sure to check the prop betting lines available on your favorite sports regularly, and take advantage of this exciting bet type.

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