Prop bets (short for proposition bets) let you bet on specific outcomes within a game rather than the final result. Instead of picking who wins or what the total score is, you’re betting on things like “Will Patrick Mahomes throw for over 275.5 yards?” or “Will the first score be a touchdown?”
Props are the fastest-growing betting market in sports — and they come in a huge variety. If you’re new to betting, start with the basics first: spreads, moneylines, and totals.
Types of Prop Bets
Player Props
The most popular category. You’re betting on an individual player’s statistical performance.
Common player props by sport:
| Sport | Prop Categories |
|---|---|
| NFL | Passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns, completions, interceptions, receptions |
| NBA | Points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, steals, blocks, points + rebounds + assists (PRA) |
| MLB | Strikeouts (pitcher), hits, home runs, RBIs, total bases, runs scored |
| NHL | Goals, assists, points, shots on goal, saves (goaltender) |
Example:
| Player Prop | Line | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen Over 245.5 Passing Yards | Over | -115 |
| Josh Allen Under 245.5 Passing Yards | Under | -105 |
If Allen throws for 246+ yards, the over wins. If he throws for 245 or fewer, the under wins.
Game Props
Bets on specific game events that aren’t tied to the final score:
First team to score
Will there be overtime? (Yes/No)
Total touchdowns in the game
Highest-scoring quarter
Will both teams score 20+ points?
First scoring play type (touchdown, field goal, safety)
Combo / Milestone Props
Some books offer combined stats or milestone-based props:
Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA): A combined stat total for NBA players
Anytime touchdown scorer: Player scores at least one touchdown at any point
First touchdown scorer: Specific player scores the first TD (high odds, low probability)
Player to record a double-double: Two stat categories with 10+ each
How Player Props Are Priced
Sportsbooks set player prop lines based on:
Season averages — the player’s mean performance over the season
Matchup data — opponent’s defensive rankings against that stat category
Recent form — last 5-10 games may be weighted more heavily
Game context — projected game script (blowout risk, pace, weather)
Injuries and lineup changes — teammates being out can increase or decrease a player’s expected usage
The line is usually set near the player’s projected performance for that game, with vig applied to both sides.
Why Props Have More Vig
Player props typically carry more vig than main markets (spreads, totals, moneylines). It’s common to see -115/-115 or even -120/-110 on player props, compared to the standard -110/-110 on spreads.
This happens because:
Less liquidity — fewer people bet props, so the book faces more risk per bet
Harder to model — individual player performance has more variance than team outcomes
Less sharp action — professional bettors focus more on main markets, so there’s less price correction on props
Same-Game Parlays (SGPs)
Same-game parlays combine multiple prop and game bets from a single game into one wager. For example:
Chiefs moneyline + Mahomes Over 275.5 passing yards + Travis Kelce Over 5.5 receptions
SGPs are extremely popular because they offer large payouts from small stakes. But there’s an important catch: the sportsbook controls the correlation pricing.
When bets within the same game are correlated (if the Chiefs win, Mahomes probably had a good game), the true parlay odds should be lower than if the bets were independent. The sportsbook decides how to price that correlation, and they typically price it in their favor — meaning the combined odds are worse than the true probability warrants.
SGPs carry some of the highest vig in sports betting, often 15-30%+ above fair odds. They’re an entertainment product, not a sharp betting strategy.
Props vs. Main Markets
| Factor | Main Markets (Spreads/Totals) | Player Props |
|---|---|---|
| Vig | Lower (~4-5%) | Higher (~6-15%) |
| Sharp attention | Heavy | Light |
| Line accuracy | Very accurate | Less accurate |
| Variance | Lower | Higher |
| Price gaps between books | Small (1-3 cents) | Large (10-20+ cents) |
The higher vig on props is the cost. The benefit: because books pay less attention to props and sharp bettors move less volume there, the lines are less accurate. The price disagreements between books are wider, which means more opportunities for bettors who compare across sportsbooks.
What to Know Before Betting Props
Check the stat counting rules
Different sportsbooks count stats differently. Does a sack count as negative rushing yards? Are overtime stats included? Do you need the player to start, or just play? Read the house rules for props at each book you use.
Injuries and scratches
If a player is ruled out before the game starts, most sportsbooks void the prop and refund the bet. But the rules vary — some books only void if the player doesn’t play at all, not if they leave mid-game with an injury. A quarterback who gets hurt in the first quarter and leaves might not hit his passing yards over, and the bet could still count as a loss.
Alternate lines
Most books offer alternate lines for popular player props. The standard line might be Over 24.5 points at -115, but you could also bet Over 29.5 at +150 or Over 19.5 at -250. Alternate lines let you adjust risk and reward based on your conviction.
Volume adds up
Props are typically lower-limit markets. You might be able to bet $500-$1,000 on an NFL spread but only $250-$500 on a player prop. If you’re betting at scale, prop limits can be a constraint.
Key Takeaways
Prop bets are wagers on individual player or game-specific outcomes, not the final score
Player props (points, yards, strikeouts) are the most popular and most widely available
Props carry higher vig than main markets but also have wider price gaps between sportsbooks
Same-game parlays are entertaining but carry massive vig — treat them as fun, not strategy
Always check stat counting rules and injury void policies, which vary by sportsbook
Compare prop odds across multiple books — the price differences are larger than any other market
For an advanced look at finding value in props, see player props as the best +EV market
