A prop bet (short for proposition bet) is a side wager on a specific event or statistic within a match that does not directly relate to the final result. Instead of betting on who wins, you bet on measurable events: how many goals a player scores, how many yards a quarterback throws, how many corners a match produces, or which team commits the first foul.
Prop bets are massive in American sports betting culture, particularly around the Super Bowl where hundreds of prop markets are offered. They have also grown significantly in football (soccer), where bookmakers now offer markets on shots, corners, cards, throw-ins, and detailed player statistics.
Player props focus on individual performance: passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards (NFL), points and rebounds (NBA), goals and assists (football/hockey). These markets are powered by advanced statistics and are popular with bettors who develop detailed player models.
Team and game props cover aggregate events: total corners in a match, total cards, first team to score, method of first goal (header, volley, penalty), and many others. These are often priced with higher margins than match result markets because they attract less sophisticated betting and receive less market-making scrutiny.
Example
Super Bowl prop bet: Will the first score of the game be a touchdown? You research the teams and find that three of their last five playoff meetings opened with a touchdown. Priced at -115 (approximately 1.87 decimal), you calculate this has a 55-58% true probability. A $50 prop bet at -115 returns approximately $93.50 if correct.