Betting Strategy Guide
Prop Betting Explained
Key takeaways
- A prop bet is a bet on something within a game other than the final result: player props cover one player's stats, and game props cover events such as the first team to score.
- Most props are over/under lines on a stat or yes/no questions; at +150, a $100 bet on yes wins $150.
- If a player does not play, settlement depends on the sportsbook's rules, so check the house rules before you bet.
A prop bet, short for proposition bet, is a bet on something that happens within a game rather than on its final result. Player props are about one player's numbers, such as points or passing yards; game props are about events in the game, such as which team scores first.
Player props and game props
- Player props: a quarterback's passing yards, a basketball player's points, rebounds or assists, a pitcher's strikeouts, or whether a player scores a touchdown.
- Game props: the first team to score, whether the game goes to overtime, or the number of field goals.
Availability varies by event.
Over/under and yes/no props
Most props come in two shapes. An over/under prop sets a line for a stat, and you bet that the player finishes above or below it, just like a game total. A yes/no prop asks whether something happens.
| Prop | Choice | Odds | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player points 24.5 | Over | -115 | 53.5% |
| Player points 24.5 | Under | -115 | 53.5% |
| Player scores a touchdown | Yes | +150 | 40.0% |
A $100 bet on yes at +150 wins $150, so a winning ticket returns $250. A $115 bet on the over at -115 wins $100.
How props are priced
The sportsbook projects the stat from the player's role, expected playing time, the matchup and injury news, then sets the line near the middle of that projection. Props can carry a wider margin than main markets: two sides at -115 add up to 107.0%, against 104.8% for a -110 spread. See juice and vig.
If a player does not play
Settlement varies by sportsbook. Many void a player prop and return the stake if the player takes no part, but what counts as taking part, and how a player who leaves early is treated, differs. Check the house rules before you bet.
Combining props: correlation
Some props move together. If a quarterback throws for big yardage, his top receiver probably has a big day too. Because those outcomes are linked, combining them in a parlay is not the same as combining unrelated bets, so sportsbooks may restrict such combinations or price them differently. The rules vary, and every leg still has to win. No approach removes the risk.
Betting at Betcris Arizona
Betcris Arizona is licensed by the Arizona Department of Gaming. You must be 21 or older and located in Arizona to place a bet. Check the current promotions before you bet, and read our responsible gaming policy. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prop bet?
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A bet on something within a game other than the final result, such as a player's points or which team scores first.
What is a player prop?
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A bet on one player's performance, usually an over/under on a stat such as yards, points or strikeouts, or a yes/no question such as whether the player scores.
What happens to a player prop if the player does not play?
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It depends on the sportsbook. Many void the bet and return the stake, but what counts as playing varies, so check the house rules.
Can you combine props in a parlay?
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Often, but props from the same game can be related, so sportsbooks may restrict or reprice those combinations. Availability varies, and every leg still has to win.
