What are prop bets in poker?

Also known as ‘proposition bets’, prop bets in poker are side bets that players can make while playing. Prop bets are some of the most common wagers in the world of professional poker, and amateurs often also use them. From casual home games to high-stakes professional dares, prop bets are designed to encourage banter between rival players in a light-hearted way.

Are you interested in spicing up your table with unique bets and fun twists? If so, prop bets might be just what you’re looking for.

What is a prop bet in poker?

At LeoVegas, players often ask, “What is a prop bet in poker?” The term can be confusing, especially for those new to the game. Mentioned briefly above, prop betting is a kind of poker side bet that is made in addition to normal wagering on the outcome of the game. Note that this kind of bet can be an in-game wager (bets that revolve around specific rounds) or an off-table challenge (bets that are unrelated to a particular poker hand).

Prop bets are some of the most popular side bets in both home games and professional circles.

Common types of prop bets in poker

If there is one thing that players love, it’s a wide variety of betting options. This holds true with prop bets in poker. Players can bet on just about everything under the sun when placing a prop bet, including things that are wholly unrelated to the direct outcome of the game. Let’s look at some common examples of poker prop bets.

Side bets at the table

The first kind of prop bet to consider is a side bet. How do poker side bets work? When placing a prop bet as a side bet, players can bet on variables that extend beyond the results of their current hands. Betting that a player will win the next three hands is one example of this.

Behavioural challenges

Another kind of prop bet in poker revolves around behavioural challenges. This kind of wager can be completely unrelated to the specific poker hand in question. Betting that a player will wear the same shirt for a week is a great example of a behavioural prop bet.

Off-the-table prop bets

Off-the-table prop bets allow players to wager on non-poker-related events and outcomes. Mike Matusow’s weight-loss challenge is a great example of this.

This infamous weight-loss wager started when Ted Forrest bet Matusow that he wouldn’t be able to lose a set amount of weight by a certain event. With this, the challenge was on, and Matusow was determined to rise to the occasion.

Other examples of off-the-table prop bets in poker include Tom Dwan betting Phil Ivey that he couldn’t go vegetarian for a year and Bill Perkins betting Dan Bilzerian that he couldn’t bike roughly 330 miles in under 48 hours.

Why poker players love prop bets

Now that you know the basics about prop bets, let’s take a look at why they’re so popular. First and foremost, poker players love prop bets because they add some levity to the game and offer money-making opportunities and challenges outside of the standard gameplay. Prop bets also encourage banter and engagement, especially in live games, something that is highly valued in poker. Finally, poker players love prop bets because they offer them the opportunity to leverage psychological tactics (or ‘friendly dares’).

How to place prop bets in poker games

How do prop bets work in poker? This type of side bet is pretty simple to understand, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, prop bets involving other players should be mutually agreed upon. It’s poor form to bet against another player without their consent. Second, prop bets are not allowed everywhere. You’ll find them quite frequently in live, in-person events, for example, but relatively less so in online poker. Finally, your prop bets must adhere to house rules and tournament policy.

Best prop bets to try at home poker nights

Are you ready to look at some of the best prop bets in poker? Here are some of our favourites.

Easy examples for beginners

The best prop bets are simple. Bets such as ‘The next player to win with 7-2 gets £10’ and ‘The player who busts out first buys drinks’ are light-hearted and easy examples.

Creative/funny bets

Two other good bases for a successful prop bet in poker are humour and creativity. Wagers such as ‘The loser wears a ridiculous costume next week’ and even push-up penalties for folding aces are examples of creative and funny prop bets.

Famous prop bets in poker history

Some prop bets have become infamous thanks to their creativity as well as the reaction they inspired in the players in question. Bill Perkins vs Dan Bilzerian, which we mentioned briefly above, is a great example of an infamous prop bet.

Another example is Antonio Esfandiari’s lunges bet, where he was challenged by Bill Perkins to lunge everywhere for 48 hours. While he won the bet, Esfandiari ultimately donated the winnings to charity after admitting to urinating in a bottle at the poker table (an act that he said was caused by all of the lunging, which made it difficult to move).

Prop bets and online poker: what’s allowed?

We know all about prop bets at traditional poker tables, but what about online games? Prop bets are relatively less common at online tables. They are typically not officially supported, in fact, and players must turn to group chats or side apps to wager with friends off-site.

With that said, there are online operators that make it simple to place prop bets. At LeoVegas, for example, we offer many different live poker games in a variety of formats so that you can pick one that suits your prop bet needs.