Sports Writer
Last Updated on 15.05.2025
You’ve probably heard the term being mentioned here and there, but do you find yourself wondering, what are prop bets, exactly? Well folks, that’s what we’re here to tell you - so let’s get started.
“Prop bets” is effectively an umbrella term that covers all betting markets that aren’t concerned with the overall result of the game. For example, you could bet on the total points that a team will make, or which player will score the first goal of the game. Discover everything that you need to know in more detail below.
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Prop bets explained
- A brief overview
As briefly mentioned above, props bets (short for “proposition” bets) are betting markets beyond the basic three lines discovered in our
sports betting 101
guide. Rather than betting on the straight win or the points spread, you can look at alternative team and player markets.
Usually, props bets cover markets that aren’t necessarily influenced by the final results of the game. For example, if you bet on Erling Haaland to score the first goal in a game, Man City could lose 5 -1, but your prop would win as long as Haaland scored first.
The pros and cons of props betting
Before we dive into the detail of our props
betting guide, here is a roundup of the main pros and cons of this type of sports gambling:
Pros & Cons
- Focus on teams and players
- Often good value to be found
- A more diverse range of markets
- The result of the game usually doesn’t matter
- Allows you to use your deeper knowledge of the sport
- Predictions can be harder
What is prop betting? Here are some examples
Prop bets come in a whole host of shapes and sizes, so it’s good to break them down into sub categories to give you some examples:
| Props bet | Description | Example |
| Game props: | Betting on the stats or outcomes of the game as a whole | Over 225.5 points to be scored by both teams combined (NBA) |
| Team props: | A wager on an outcome that corners the stats or performance of one of the teams. | The Packers to score the first touchdown in the game (NFL) |
| Player props: | Predicting outcomes based on the stats and performances of a single player. | Jude Bellingham to have more than 2.5 shots on goal. |
| Novelty props: | Sometimes called “exotic” props these are bets that you can place on outcomes beyond the game | The National anthem before the Super Bowl to run over three minutes. |
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How to read prop bets
If you already know how to read a basic betting line (if you don’t check our
straight betting explained
guide here) then reading props is pretty easy. To give you an idea, here are a couple of examples:
Over/under
Over/under prop bets only have two outcomes usually with even odds and are therefore the easiest to understand:
| O 23.5 | U 23.5 |
Rams Points Total:
| 1.91 | 1.91 |
In this example, we have taken a 23.5 points total for the Rams to score in a game. If you were to bet the O (over) at 1.91 odds, the Rams would need to score 24 points or more for you to win. If you took the U (under), your bet would pay out if they scored 23 points or fewer.
The odds start at the same price (50/50 implied probability plus the vig). However, they can drift in the run-up to the game.
The half point in props bets explained
As is the case with the points spread, the half point (.5) is often used in points and stat-based props to avoid the outcome of a tied or “push” bet. This would mean that no one would win and the bookie would have to return all bets.
First goalscorer example
With player props, such as first goalscorer you will have a larger selection of options, with the most popular options at the top. For example, if Man City were playing Liverpool, the likes of Haaland, Foden, Salah, and Jota would all be near the top and at shorter odds.
| Props bet | Description | Example |
| Game props: | Betting on the stats or outcomes of the game as a whole | Over 225.5 points to be scored by both teams combined (NBA) |
| Team props: | A wager on an outcome that corners the stats or performance of one of the teams. | The Packers to score the first touchdown in the game (NFL) |
| Player props: | Predicting outcomes based on the stats and performances of a single player. | Jude Bellingham to have more than 2.5 shots on goal. |
| Novelty props: | Sometimes called “exotic” props these are bets that you can place on outcomes beyond the game | The National anthem before the Super Bowl to run over three minutes. |
How to win prop bets
- Our top five tips
Now that we’ve explained what prop betting is alongside some examples, let’s take a look at how you can win them. To help with that, our experts have put together these top five tips:
On the main, stats matter more than results when it comes to props betting. So instead of things like H2H records and overall team form, pay attention to goal records, running yards, and defensive performances of teams and individual players.
When explaining what prop bets are, I pointed out that results don’t matter. For example, if Haaland were to score a hat trick in a 4-3 loss for Man City and you had him as an anytime goalscorer, the number of goals against doesn’t affect you in the slightest.
3. Find value in one-sided contests
Props bets can provide you with a great means of finding better value in a one-sided contest. For example, if the Rams are heavy favourites vs the Lions, you could bet on their points total, rather than a straight win bet which would see you get much in the way of returns.
If you’re already a fantasy sports player, then props betting will be a natural fit for you. On the other hand, if you’re totally new to all of this, free DFS contests are something that you might want to try first before you risk money on props betting.
5. Stay in your wheelhouse
Props betting is all about using your savvy knowledge of the sport, teams, and players—it's not a stab-in-the-dark lottery. Always bet on sports and teams that you follow closely; never hit and hope.
Prop bets explained
- Conclusion
In summary, props betting basically refers to every bet outside of the basic line (moneyline, spread & totals). Usually the result of the game doesn’t matter, and you can focus on team or individual performances, as well as match stats outside the final results. If you’re looking to get started you can find your ideal props betting sites right here at SportsGambler today.
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What are prop bets
FAQ
🔍 What is a prop in sports betting?
A prop bet is a wager on a specific event or statistic within a game that isn't directly related to the final outcome. For example, you might bet on a quarterback’s total passing yards in an NFL game or the first goalscorer in soccer.
📊 What is props betting and how does it work?
Props betting involves looking beyond the basic betting lines to place bets on specific stats or events. By clicking on a game, you’ll often find a range of stats-based markets. For more details on
how to bet on MVP
and other prop bets, visit SportsGambler.com.
🌍 Are props bets legal?
The legality of prop bets depends on your country or jurisdiction. Generally, if sports betting is legal in your area, then props bets are also legal. Use the comparison tool at SportsGambler.com to find the best online bookies for prop bets.
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