Prop Bets Guide: What Proposition Bets Are and How to Win Them
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A proposition bet — a prop — is a wager on something other than the final result. Props cover everything from the first team to score to whether a game goes to overtime, and they have become the fastest-growing part of the betting menu.
This guide explains the main types of props, why they often carry more vig than core markets, and how to find the soft numbers that make props worth betting.
What a prop bet is
A prop bet is a wager on an event within a game rather than its outcome. Common examples include the total number of touchdowns, whether the first score is a field goal, the coin toss, or the time of the first goal.
Props split into team props (a team’s total points, first to score), game props (overtime yes/no, total sacks), and player props, which are big enough to deserve their own guide.
Prop types by sport
The prop menu changes shape from sport to sport — each league has its own signature markets, and knowing them is half the battle when you go hunting for value:
- NFL — passing, rushing, and receiving yards, anytime and first touchdown scorer, longest reception, plus game props like total sacks and whether the game reaches overtime.
- NBA — points, rebounds, assists, made threes, and combo props (points + rebounds + assists), with double-double and triple-double markets on the stars.
- MLB — strikeouts, hits, total bases, home runs, and RBIs, plus pitcher-outs and first-inning run props that hinge on the specific matchup.
- NHL — shots on goal, points, goals, and goalie saves, with anytime-goalscorer markets that mirror football’s touchdown props.
- Soccer — shots, shots on target, cards, corners, and anytime goalscorer, where pace and game state move the numbers most.
- Golf, tennis & MMA — head-to-head matchups, round and set props, and method-of-victory markets that reward deep sport-specific knowledge.
How props are priced
Most props are offered as a yes/no or over/under with American odds. A prop like whether the game goes to overtime might be priced No -550 / Yes +400, reflecting how rarely games reach OT.
Props usually carry a higher hold than spreads or totals — often 6% to 10% versus the roughly 4.5% on a -110 line. Books price them less precisely, which creates both risk and opportunity.
Because props are priced loosely and vary widely between books, line shopping matters even more here than on core markets. A correlated edge or a stale number can be worth real value.
Example bet walkthrough
You bet over 2.5 total touchdowns for a team at +120, staking $25. The team scores three touchdowns, the over hits, and you win $25 × 1.20 = $30 profit plus your $25 stake.
Run the price through expected value: if you think the true chance of three-plus touchdowns is 50% but the book pays +120 (implying about 45.5%), you have a positive-EV bet. Our EV calculator quantifies that edge before you stake.
Compare books first — one might offer the same prop at +135, turning a thin edge into a clear one.
Prop betting strategy tips
Props reward research and patience:
- Shop aggressively. Prop prices vary more between books than any other market, so the best number is often several points better than the worst.
- Specialise. Pick a few prop types you understand deeply rather than betting the whole menu.
- Use expected value, not gut feel. Estimate the true probability, compare it to the implied price, and only bet positive-EV props.
- Look for correlated props the book has not adjusted, especially in smaller markets.
- Bet early on player-driven props before injury and rotation news sharpens the number.
Best sportsbooks for prop bets
Prop bettors want depth, frequent specials, and competitive pricing. We rank the field in full in our best sportsbook for prop bets comparison; the short version:
- DraftKings — the widest prop menu in the industry, with deep player, team, and game props across every major sport.
- FanDuel — the sharpest prop pricing of the majors, plus frequent boosted props worth checking for value.
- BetMGM — extensive niche and novelty props, where softer numbers are easiest to find.
- Caesars — competitive core-prop pricing and steady prop boosts, a reliable book to line-shop against.
- Fanatics — a fast-growing prop menu with FanCash rewards that accrue on every prop you place.
Common prop mistakes
Props punish two habits especially hard:
- Betting the high vig blindly. Props carry more juice than core markets, so betting them without an edge bleeds money fast.
- Chasing novelty props for fun. Coin-toss and gimmick props are pure entertainment with poor prices — treat them as such.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a proposition bet?
- A prop bet is a wager on something other than the final result — a team’s total points, whether a game goes to overtime, the first method of scoring, and so on. It is about events within the game.
- Why do prop bets have higher vig?
- Books price props less precisely and expect lower betting volume, so they build in a larger margin to protect themselves. That higher hold makes line shopping and an EV edge essential.
- Are prop bets profitable?
- They can be, because soft, loosely priced numbers are more common in props than in core markets. Profit comes from specialising, shopping for the best price, and only betting positive-expected-value props.
- What is the difference between a prop and a player prop?
- A general prop covers team or game events, while a player prop is tied to one player’s stat line, such as passing yards or points scored. Player props are large enough to be their own market.
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Educational content for informational purposes only. Not betting or financial advice. Please gamble responsibly. 21+ where applicable.