Discover what is a prop or proposition bet? In this guide, we will explain what props betting is and how it works.

Props Betting For Beginners

Proposition bets (props) are one of the most exciting and fun ways to bet on sports. 

In this guide, we will explain what props betting is and how it works. Props betting is available for many major sports, and punters love placing this type of bet as they demand a perfect blend of skill and luck.

So what exactly are props bets? Let's take a closer look!

What is a prop (or proposition) bet?

A props bet is a wager on an occurrence or non-occurrence during a game. Props bets can be made on both team and player performances. For example, you could bet on how many yellow cards will be shown, which player will score the first goal, how many goals a player will score in a game, or the total number of corners in a football match.

Props bets add an extra layer of excitement to sports betting, as they offer the opportunity to bet on a wide range of outcomes.

Sports that are famous for props

Props bets are available for many major sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Other popular sports such as boxing, snooker, or MMA also feature props bets.

Here are some examples of the most popular props bets:

  • Which team will score the first goal - Football (EPL)
  • Guess the time of the first goal scored - Football (EPL)
  • Will the number of total team points be even or odd number - Basketball (NBA)
  • Will there be extra innings - Baseball (MLB)
  • Will Sidney Crosby score a goal in the first period - Hockey (NHL)

How to bet on props

The best way to bet on props is to find a reputable online sportsbook that offers a wide range of prop bets. Once you have found a sportsbook, you will need to create an account and deposit some money.

Once you have done this, you can start browsing the prop bets. When you have found a bet that you want to place, simply click on it and enter your stake.

Examples of popular props bets and how they work

There are endless varieties of prop bets that you can make. Let's examine some examples of popular prop bets in different sports.

Goal scorer football props bets

English football is famous for props bets. One of the most popular props bets is a goal scorer. This bet is exactly what it sounds like: you are betting on which player will score a goal in the game.

Here is an example of a EPL football match between Aston Villa and Liverpool presented by the10bet betting site (read 10bet Review) where you can bet that Mohamed Salah will score a goal anytime during the match:

10bet football prop bet example

The odds of Mohamed Salah scoring a goal are set to 1.95. Therefore, if you bet £20 on him and he scores at least one goal, you’ll win a total of £39 (1.95 multiplier x £20 wager). In other words, you’ll receive £19 on your initial wager. 

10bet football prop betting slip example

Win either half football props bet

Another popular football prop bet would be betting on which team will win either half. Here is an example of the same match offered at the 888sport betting site:

888sport football prop bet example

In this case, if you bet £10 on Liverpool to win either half with odds set at 1.25, and they do win either the 1st or 2nd half, you’ll win a total of £12.50 (1.25 multiplier x £10 wager).

Total cards football props bets

Football punters also like to bet on the cards. The most popular card prop bet is betting on how many yellow cards will be shown in a match. The bookmakers will set the line and you can bet if the total number of cards shown in the match will be over or under that line.

For example, let's look at the total card odds offered at the Unibet sportsbook. If you bet on under 3.5 yellow cards to be shown in the match and there are 3 cards or less shown in the match, you will win your bet. If there are 4 or more cards shown, you will lose your bet.

unibet football prop bet example

Basketball team props

In basketball, one of the most popular prop bets is betting on which team will score first. You can also bet on how many points will be scored in the first quarter or which team will win the first quarter.

Here is an example of various NBA basketball team prop bets offered at the bet365 betting site between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks:

bet365 basketball prop bets

As you can see, they have many exciting basketball prop bets such as guessing the total number of points, which team will have the highest scoring quarter, or if the total number of points will be an odd or even number.

Hockey props bets

Hockey is also a sport where you can find many exciting prop bets. Some of the most popular ones are betting on the first goal scorer, which team will score first, highest scoring period, odd or even total number of goals, and more.

Here is an example of various NHL hockey prop bets offered at the Betiton betting site between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins:

betiton hockey prop bets

Live (in-game) props bets

One of the most popular types of props bets are live or in-game prop bets. These are bets that you can place while the game is being played. The bookmakers offer a wide range of prop bets that you can make on the fly.

For example, let's say that you are watching an English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool and you see that Liverpool is dominating the game. The bookmakers will start offering prop bets such as Liverpool to win by two or more goals, or Liverpool to score the next goal.

Conclusion

Props (proposition) betting can be a fun and exciting way to add an extra layer of excitement to your favourite sports.

The next time you’re watching a game, keep an eye out for props bets and see if you can spot any interesting ones. And who knows, with a little bit of luck (and some knowledge about how prop betting works) you may just find yourself winning some money on the side.

Thanks for reading our beginner's guide about props betting!