Many states all over the US have recently changed their laws on sports betting, allowing legal and licensed online sportsbooks to take real money bets on a variety of sports including the NFL. The result has been a huge increase in the number of bets being made, with an estimated $23 billion wagered on the Super Bowl alone.
While it’s easier than ever to bet on sports, many beginners are confused by some of the terminology and rules of sports betting. For example, prop bets are one of the most popular ways to bet on basketball. You can find college basketball predictions online, including more details on specific props. Before you place any bets, it’s important to know what prop bets are and what they do.
All You Need to Know About Prop Bets
Proposition bets, often shortened to prop bets, are a form of betting that goes beyond the normal choices offered at sportsbooks. Although we often think of sports betting as betting on the outcome of a game, the reality is that prop bets offer so much more.
Almost anything can be offered as a prop, and they’re normally bets that don’t directly tie into the result of the game. There are two main types, game props and player props.
Game Props
Game props are bets which relate to any specific occurrence within a game. Examples include:
- Which team will score first
- First team to score 20 points in the game
- Will the longest touchdown be over or under 50.5 yards
You can also find novelty game props, especially offered on big games like the Super Bowl. These can include:
- The length of the national anthem
- Which team wins the coin toss
- Which coach will call a timeout first
Player Props
Player props are bets on the performance of a specific player. Essentially, you can choose any player on the field and bet on how you think they’ll perform during the game. Examples of player props include:
- Number of touchdowns thrown
- Number of yards thrown
- Number of tackles made
Why Are Prop Bets So Popular?
Prop bets are fast becoming the most popular way to bet. There are a couple of different reasons for this but perhaps the main reason is that they offer so much more variety than conventional betting. While the moneyline, spread and totals are the three main bets, you can find prop bets for just about anything, and there are often hundreds of different options to bet on.
How to Choose a Prop Bet
Now you know a little more about prop bets, you’re almost ready to start placing them. First though, here’s a quick guide on choosing and placing prop bets:
Research Your Bets
Research is crucial before placing any bets but even more so with props. When looking at player or game props, pay attention to the recent stats and look at what they tell you. Make note of weaknesses and how that can play into the strengths of a particular player or team, and how this might affect the score.
Get the Best Odds
Aside from research to find the best betting opportunities, you should always check the odds before you bet. Odds will determine the profit you make from winning bets, and higher odds mean more potential profit. Compare odds at different sportsbooks before you bet, and wait for line movement if you don’t think the odds provide enough value.
Make the Most of Live Betting
One of the best aspects of modern online sportsbooks is that you can bet live while games are in progress. As you watch the game, you’ll get a better idea of what’s happening and how this might affect the potential props. Use this to your advantage and get the best odds on your live bets.