A proposition bet, or prop bet for short, is a wager that comes in many different varieties. Although the limits are typically lower than side or total plays, they can provide valuable opportunities to make money.
Not only the type of wagers, but the odds for the same line can vary greatly between sportsbooks. Identifying lines that provide middling opportunities between sportsbooks can offer low risk and high reward.
In a typical NFL Sunday there three main types of prop bet wagers: game, team, player. Examples of each are in the slideshow below.
Many times, these prop bets have a one sided line. For example: "Will Player A score a touchdown? YES (+350)". When there isn't a "NO" listed, there usually is additional hidden juice that increases the sportsbooks hold. As a rule of thumb, it would be prudent to avoid these types of plays.
Some domestic books and most off-short books offer exotic props. The Super Bowl offers the most popular exotic prop bets: who will win the coin toss, how long will the National Anthem be sung, what songs will the halftime performers play? When prop bets like the latter two are posted, if there is significant action on one side, it normally means there is insider information. Trying to catch the steam on these wagers can be a profitable endeavor.
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