💡 Are Prop bets profitable?

While you cannot guarantee the profitability of any form of betting, prop bets generally have better odds attached to them than simply betting on a match outcome of win, lose, or draw. So, as long as you are successful, then you are more likely to make more money with prop bets.

💡 How do you win a prop bet?

There are three possible outcomes from a prop bet: Win: The prop outcome you bet on comes to fruition and you receive a payout (e.g, you bet a player to score over 20 points in a match and they get 33 points). Loss: The prop outcome does not happen, and you lose the amount wagered. Return Stake: The player does not play in the match.

💡 Is a parlay the same as a prop bet?

A parlay is actually just another name for an accumulator (or acca), combo bet, or multi is a single bet. These types of bets link together two or more individual wagers, usually seen in sports betting. So a parlay and a prop bet are very different things.

💡 How popular are prop bets?

Prop bets are becoming more and more popular, with increases noted from 30% in 2019 up to around 50% in 2022 of the type of bets placed by many online bookmakers

What are prop bets?- All you need to know (Beginners Guide)

Last update at 25 July, 2025⏲️ Reading time: 10 minutes

This may be the first time you have heard of prop bets, or you may have heard of them mentioned but not be totally sure what they are (and how they work). If so, you are in the right place! The article that follows gives you a full overview of these types of bets. It includes examples, betting strategy, as well as some pros and cons, and frequently asked questions. The first thing you need to know is that prop is short for proposition, and you may find these bets referred to in either the long or short form by people or websites.

What is a Proposition Bet?

In sports betting terms, a proposition bet is different from a general bet on a team winning or losing as it involves betting solely on a factor that is not influenced by the main match outcome. This means you are choosing an event to happen that is not related to who wins the match and it is, as the word proposition suggests, simply making an offer or suggestion about the chances of the chosen event taking place during the course of the game.

This can happen in a wide range of sports and on virtually anything that could happen as long as the bookmaker you are betting with offers odds on this outcome.

Which sports are best for prop bets?

There is no one sport that is best for any particular bet; it will depend on many factors, but let's have a look at some common Prop bet examples in some well-known sports.

Football - will a player be sent off? First goalscorer? Total corners?
Tennis - How many aces to be served? Who will win the first set? How many unforced errors in the match?
Basketball - How many points for a player, top points scorer, leading after first quarter.
Baseball - lead after first innings, how many pitches/strikes by a player?
American Football - Number of yards rushed, number of passes, field goals kicked
Rugby - How many goals kicked? How many scrums? First try scorer?
Golf - Who will be leading after the first round? Will a hole-in-one be scored? Will a player make the cut?
Cricket - Will a player score over 50? How many wickets will a bowler take? How many boundaries in the innings?

Outside of the online sports betting side of things, the original context of a proposition bet was a “dare for money,” so when you have said to your friends I bet you (money amount) that you will not be able to… (insert proposition here! - eat all those cakes / jump that stream / climb that tree etc ) - you were actually making a proposition bet with them!

What is an exotic prop bet?

An exotic prop bet is a wager that is not tied to the outcome of the game.

Whilst this can still technically cover any proposition bet that doesn’t directly affect the end outcome, it’s more likely to be used for a bet on something surprising happening outside of the team or players' control. For instance, will there be a streaker at the World Cup final, or will it rain all day at the cricket?

Sometimes bookmakers will use this kind of wager for publicity stunts and marketing. Paddy Power used to have them regularly in the past., As these bets can be influenced by people, they are usually subject to greater scrutiny if they do happen. For example there was a bet offered on a reserve goalkeeper eating a pie on the substitutes' bench during an FA Cup match, which led to the player being banned after he carried out the action.

How do you place a proposition bet?

Placing a proposition bet is very simple. You just need to head to the sportsbook section and pick the match you want to find a prop bet for. From here, you can look through what is offered by the bookmakers on this match. As we have mentioned, this can be used in a multitude of sports. The odds and props (markets) will be displayed with many options, so you need to decide on the one you want and the stake you wish to gamble.

Step 1
step 1
Find the round robin bets section on the website.
Step 2
step 2
Make your selections.
Step 3
step 3
Choose your stake.
Step 4
step 4
Check your bet slip and make sure the odds and stakes are the amounts you expected.
Step 5
step 5
Place your bets.
Step 6
step 6
Hopefully collect any winnings!!

How do prop bet markets work?

Despite prop bets not being dependent on the result of the match, they are known as derivative markets. This is because the value of the odds is dependent on other markets.

Let’s look at this in a bit of detail with an example:

The odds on Bayern Munich having more than 10 shots on target in a game are 10/1; however, just before the match, Harry Kane, their main striker, is injured. As he is their main goal threat, it is likely that the amount of shots on target will drop both for Bayern Munich and the match total. This will see the odds increase on both these markets.

Prop markets will generally have lower limits than match result markets, and will often not be posted fully until the day or very close to the start of the game to avoid bookmakers' risk and fully take into account last-minute factors. It’s fair to say that prop markets can move quickly when posted as well.

Prop Betting Advice

While there is no guaranteed strategy for winning at gambling, there is always help and advice to take into consideration when you are looking to place wagers, and prop betting is no different. Keep some of the factors below in mind;

Act Fast on Odds
Take odds when you can get them. Markets can move quickly, so if you are confident in a selection, place your wager as soon as you can.
Capitalize on Slow-Moving Markets
Equally, prop markets can move slower than major markets, so if you notice a situation that could change odds, then get your money on first before the majority of other bettors can get in there and flood the market.
Do Your Research Thoroughly
Research is always key with these types of bets, which includes knowing the averages that you are working with in a given league or sporting event, what players are definitely playing, and the fitness of athletes competing. These factors can be key and make the difference between a successful prop and a failure.

Are there Prop Bet Bonuses?

There are lots of bonuses you will find online, and many sportsbooks will have special bets that are available on prop bets. Let’s look over a few below.

1
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are usually the biggest bonuses you will discover online. These will, in general, take the form of a matched deposit bonus and generally be 100% or more.
In terms of using these on proposition bets, however, you do need to be careful to check the terms and conditions to ensure that the proposition you are gambling on is included towards the welcome bonus or wagering terms.
2
Free Bet Promotions
A free bet can be offered by the operator as a reward for completing other online gambling conditions or as a backup to a losing bet. These are often offered on prop markets due to their unpredictability, offering the bookmaker a chance to tip the odds of you winning more in their favour.
It is important to remember that a proposition bet on a player that does not play in the match can sometimes mean a free bet is lost. This happens as your stake is generally returned if a player does not play, so in the case of a free bet, a sum of zero will be returned to your balance, and you will be adjudged to have used your free bet. This depends on the bookmaker, so read terms and conditions carefully.
3
Enhanced Odds Offers
Enhanced odds are also often known as bet boosts by many bookies. These again are often offered on prop bets due to their unpredictable nature. A bet boost will see odds be greater than the standard amount either for a short period of time or as part of an ongoing offer on a popular upcoming match or event.
4
Accumulator Bonuses
Accumulator bonuses often take the form of money back, or still gaining a win even if one of the legs lets you down. Prop bet accumulators will often have high odds attached to them, especially if you are betting on individual player outcomes. A good example of a proposition accumulator bet that might qualify for a bonus would be a both teams to score accumulator in soccer.
5
In-Play Bonuses
In this example, a bonus will be offered if you make a prop bet during the game, known as an in-play bet. These types of bonuses vary, but will always be linked to in-play markets.

Remember to always gamble responsibly

Gambling is a fun pastime, and proposition bets add another layer of excitement on matchdays. This also makes it addictive, and therefore it can be a pastime that can get out of hand, especially when you are playing with money. The buzz you get when you win can be overwhelming, and the lows when you lose can also make you feel very bad.

It is easy to get yourself into bad patterns and get yourself behind financially. With these things in mind, it is important to always gamble responsibly, ensuring that you are only playing with cash that you can afford to lose. You should never chase money you have lost. Trying to recoup losses is a terrible strategy and the main cause of many gamblers' misfortune. Treat gambling as a way of playing for fun, so that a win is a nice bonus and a loss does not affect you being able to cover your main life expenses.

The table below goes over some things to remember.

Safe Gambling Practices	Risk Factors
👤 Use reality checks and tools online to keep your gambling in check.	Playing at sites that include multiple bad reviews or have poor customer support.
⚖️ Only open accounts at licensed and regulated websites	Betting when drunk or under the influence of drugs.
❗ Never gamble more than you can afford to lose.	Gambling should be about fun, not profit.
📝 Make a clear overall strategy and stay close to that.	Gambling when you are angry or just after a losing bet.

Conclusion

Proposition bets add a lot of fun to gambling on a sports match, and often mean you have something to cheer on right up to the final whistle, even if the match result is beyond doubt. Proposition bets are usually grouped into those seen as skilled and those seen as unskilled. Some will almost be luck of the draw (i.e, total points scored), and others may be easier to predict with a bit of research (i.e, first goalscorer). Whichever proposition you go for, they will add another level to gambling on sports events, especially when watching them live.

We would suggest starting out small with these types of bets until you get yourself used to how they work properly before spending any large amounts of money on them.

Hopefully, the article here has given you a good starting overview of what a prop bet is and how to place one.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions

While you cannot guarantee the profitability of any form of betting, prop bets generally have better odds attached to them than simply betting on a match outcome of win, lose, or draw. So, as long as you are successful, then you are more likely to make more money with prop bets.
There are three possible outcomes from a prop bet: Win: The prop outcome you bet on comes to fruition and you receive a payout (e.g, you bet a player to score over 20 points in a match and they get 33 points). Loss: The prop outcome does not happen, and you lose the amount wagered. Return Stake: The player does not play in the match.
A parlay is actually just another name for an accumulator (or acca), combo bet, or multi is a single bet. These types of bets link together two or more individual wagers, usually seen in sports betting. So a parlay and a prop bet are very different things.
Prop bets are becoming more and more popular, with increases noted from 30% in 2019 up to around 50% in 2022 of the type of bets placed by many online bookmakers