The World of Proposition Betting

With limited gambling resources, online recreational sports gamblers are always looking for ways to win a lot of money without risking a lot of money. That's why recreational bettors like betting parlays. They also like proposition bets that offer big returns for very small investments

What is a Proposition Bet?

A proposition or prop bet is an alternative wager on an outcome that is beyond the scope of standard sports betting options like straight bets, parlays, or live in-game wagers. These types of bets are typically performance-based bets that focus on what teams or players might do in a particular category. Prop bets can also focus on certain outcomes that one might consider beyond the scope of the game that is being played. Which team wins the coin flip or final game attendance are such examples.

It's worth noting that prop bets became popular when they were first introduced en mass for Super Bowl XX in 1986. Bookmakers had decided to create these extra gambling opportunities for the game to spice up betting interest in the game and bring in more gross betting revenue. It was a huge success. Today, bookmakers might list as many as 500 proposition bets on the Super Bowl. 

Over time, bookmakers started offering prop bets on other special sporting events like the World Series games, NBA playoff games, golf events, and World Cup soccer matches. Today, prop bets have become commonplace during regular-season games involving popular American sports like NCAA FB & BB, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Again, it's all about creating more betting opportunities.

Types of Proposition Bets

As stated above, the most common proposition bets will focus on team performance, player performance, or the overall game. Let's take an in-depth look at common prop bets typically offered in these categories.

Team Proposition Bets

Team-related proposition bets are typically featured in matchups that involve two teams playing the same game. Such prop bets can focus on the performance of one team versus the other in certain game-play categories. They can also focus on a team's solitary performance in one particular criterion. 

While the team versus team prop betting possibilities are vast, depending on the sport, some are more popular than others. Here's a list of common team versus team prop bets that recreational gamblers seem to like:

• Most passing yards (football)


• Most penalty yards (football)


• Most field goals (football)


• Most time of possession (football)


• Most free throws attempted and made (basketball)


• Most 3-pointers attempted and made (basketball)


• Most personal fouls (basketball)


• Most steals (basketball)


• Most homeruns (baseball)


• Most stolen bases (baseball)


• Most hits (baseball)


• Most errors (baseball)

Here's a list of common team-specific prop bets that recreational gamblers seem to like:

• Over/under a number for passing or rushing yards (football)


• Over/under number of penalty yards (football)


• Over/under number of field goals made (football)


• Points within a specific point range (football)


• Over/under number of points scored (football & basketball)


• Number of 3-pointers or field goals made (basketball)


• Over/under point total for the game or a quarter (basketball)


• Over/under number of steals or assists (basketball)


• Over/under runs scored (baseball)


• Over/under hits or home runs (baseball)


• A run scored in the first inning - yes or no (baseball)


• Number of goals (hockey)
  

Remember, the possibilities are vast. These are just a few of the prop bets that bettors seem to enjoy betting the most. 

Player Proposition Bets

Player-related prop bets can focus on one player versus another player, a group of designated players in the same category, or an individual's player's performance. Let's take a look at some of the common and popular props under each of these categories.

Here's a list of common one player versus another player prop bets that recreational gamblers seem to like:

• Player with the most yards rushing or receiving (football)


• Player with most passing yards or completions (football)


• Player with the longest field goal (football)


• Player with the most passes caught (football)


• Player with the most points scored (basketball)


• Player with the most assists (basketball)


• Player with the most 3-pointers made (basketball)


• Player with the most free throws made (basketball)


• Player with the most total bases (baseball)


• Player with the most walks and hits allowed (baseball)


• Player with the most goals+assists (hockey)


• Player with the lowest score during a round (golf)
  

Here's a list of common grouping of player prop bets that recreational gamblers seem to like:

• First player to score a touchdown (football)


• First player to catch a pass (football)


• Player with the most points scored (basketball)


• First player to score a basket (basketball)


• Player with the most assists or 3-pointers made (basketball)


• First player to hit a home run or steal a base (baseball)


• First player to score a goal (hockey or soccer)


• Player with the lowest round (golf)
  

Here's a list of common individual player prop bets that recreational gamblers seem to like:

• Over/under receptions (football)


• Over/under yards passing (football)


• Over/under rushing or reception yards (football)


• Over/under longest field goal made (football)


• Over/under points scored + assists (basketball)


• Over/under 3-pointers made (basketball)


• Over/under free throws made or attempted (basketball)


• Over/under hits-runs-errors (baseball)


• Over/under hit+walks allowed (baseball)


• Over/under strikeouts (baseball)


• Over/under goals+assists (hockey)


• Over/under the score for a round (golf)
  

Game Proposition Bets

Some of the most interesting proposition bets will focus on the game itself. This is where bookmakers like to get creative. Here are just a few game-related prop bets that recreational bettors seem to like:

• Will the first score be a TD, field goal, or safety (football)


• Quarter where the point most points are scored (football)


• Score in the first 5 minutes (football)


• Will there be a safety scored (football)


• Will there be overtime (football/basketball/hockey)


• Time it takes to sign National Anthem (football)


• Total 3-pointers made (basketball)


• Total hits+runs+errors (baseball)


• Score in the first inning (baseball)


• Total penalty minutes logged (hockey)
  

More About U.S. Proposition Bets

In recent years, the world of proposition betting has expanded due to increased betting interest. That's true in the U.S. where recreational sports bettors are always looking for different ways to get betting action.

While team and game-related proposition bets are very popular, U.S. bettors seem to prefer betting on individual player performances. With that said, some states don't permit proposition betting on college sports, especially prop bets that target individual player performance. This is usually done to protect the integrity of college sports teams and players who want to avoid unwanted scrutiny.

Here are a few other prop bet issues worth addressing.

When are Prop Bet lines Released?

While money lines, point spreads, and over/under lines can be released days in advance, online bookmakers prefer to take a "wait and see" approach when posting prop bets. The Super Bowl is usually the lone exception. If bettors want prop bet action, they will usually have to wait until the day of the game or match in question.

Can Prop Bets Be Used in Parlays?

It depends on the online/mobile sports betting operator. In other countries, online bookmakers tend to shy away from allowing prop bets to be stacked in parlays. U.S. online bookmakers typically take a more liberal view of using prop bets in parlays. If any restrictions do exist, it might be because the operator only allows props when the parley is all made up of proposition bets.