Proposition Betting (Prop Bets) Guide
Prop bets have become one of the most popular kinds of bets to place at the LeoVegas Sportsbook.
But those who have never placed prop bets might not fully understand exactly what they are. Prop bets are offered for plenty of different sports, though they might work in a slightly different way for each.
Our complete guide to prop betting at the LeoVegas Sportsbook has everything sports fans need to know.
About proposition betting
Proposition betting — usually referred to as prop betting — has been around for a long time.
As with other types of sports bets, prop wagers involve predicting what will happen in a game or match. However, prop bets are not just concerned with the overall result. Instead, prop bets typically look at individual performances within a team sport, though this is not always the case.
At the LeoVegas Sportsbook, customers can find various prop bets for several popular sports. Prop bets have much the same advantages and disadvantages as many other types of bets — there is risk involved, but the potential payouts are good.
What is a proposition bet?
The term prop bet simply means placing a wager on a specific thing happening within a sporting contest.
For example, prop bets are very popular among football fans who place bets at the LeoVegas Sportsbook. When betting, many people will place a bet on whether something will or will not happen - otherwise known as occurrence or non-occurrence prop betting.
Typically, these are divided into two markets. A basic market can be as simple as a specific player scoring a goal, whereas an advanced market (usually with higher odds) can be as complex as a particular player being given a yellow card.
Prop bets can even include wagers on the coin toss at the start of a game, for instance, in the NFL. That would be an example of a prop bet that has an outcome that cannot really be predicted — it is just luck.
Other types of prop betting contain more research when it comes to making predictions. For instance, NFL fans might research the head-to-head guide ahead of a particular fixture and find that a specific wide receiver has a strong track record of scoring touchdowns in that game. Therefore, a good prop bet to consider placing could be for that wide receiver to score a touchdown during the match.
What sports can you find prop bets in?
The LeoVegas Sportsbook offers users the chance to place prop bets across several top sports:
- Football
- American football
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Tennis
How prop bets work in individual sports
Let's take a closer look at how prop bets typically work in those five major sports at LeoVegas:
Football: Fans of the beautiful game can pick from plenty of prop betting markets at LeoVegas. Among them are markets for a player scoring a goal — including opening the scoring — as well as getting an assist or being shown a yellow card by the referee. Football fans just need to predict which individual events will happen if they want their prop bets to work out as winning wagers.
American football: Within the NFL, prop bets are exceptionally popular among fans of the sport. Examples of prop bets for American football include whether an NFL player will score a touchdown. It is also possible to place prop bets on which player will get the first TD in a game, as well as the number of passing yards a team's QB will record over the course of a game.
Basketball: Another US sport where prop bets have high demand is within the NBA. Fans of the sport can place prop bets on players scoring a certain number of points during a game here. A common prop bet for an NBA game is betting on which player will score the most points overall.
Cricket: Prop bets are possible in cricket, too. Examples of prop bets that cricket fans can place at the LeoVegas Sportsbook include whether a player will score a 50 or a 100 at the crease.
Tennis: Individual sports, such as tennis, can feature prop bets, too, not just the main team sports. Prop bets in tennis can include a player serving a few aces or the most double-faults.
Best options for prop betting in the Premier League
One of the great things about betting on the Premier League is the sheer variety when it comes to potential prop bets to place. The LeoVegas Sportsbook has lots, but here are the most common:
Goals: The most obvious option for prop betting on the Premier League at the LeoVegas Sportsbook concerns goals. A player to score the first goal is a very common prop bet. It is also possible to bet on a player to score the last goal, or to find the net at any time of a match.
Shot on target: Players do not necessarily even need to score a goal for a prop bet to win. Attacking players can win a prop bet for users of the LeoVegas Sportsbook by simply recording a shot on target. However, there can be debate over what exactly constitutes a shot on target.
To score a header: The type of goal that is scored is another popular type of prop bet that football fans like to place these days. As an example, it is possible to place prop bets on a player scoring a header. Strikers who are known for being great in the air would be a good option here.
To score a penalty: Other prop bets involving goals include backing a player to score a penalty. This counts only in normal time, so penalty shootouts in cup competitions are not included. To win a player prop bet on someone scoring a penalty, it is a good idea to do some research into which footballer is usually trusted to take the kick from 12 yards when the referee has blown for a foul.
Assists: These days, player prop betting markets on the Premier League also include the option to bet on a player recording an assist. This is usually defined as the last touch of the ball from another player before a goal is scored. Multiple prop bets can therefore land in the same goal. For example, a football fan can have backed a player to record an assist and another to score a header. If the two players combine, for example, from a corner kick, both bets would then win.
Tackles and interceptions: Player prop bets for the Premier League are not just for attackers either, though it is fair to say the most interest is in those markets. It is possible to bet on players recording a certain number of tackles or interceptions during a game, as well.
Cards: Along with tackles and interceptions, users at the LeoVegas Sportsbook can bet on whether a player will be shown a yellow or a red card by the referee. While this one can be hard to predict, certain players are known for poor discipline and might be good options for prop bets.
Do prop bets include extra/over time?
One of the most common questions that LeoVegas Sportsbook customers ask regarding prop bets is whether they will consider any periods of extra time or overtime that are played.
In an FA Cup match, for example, football fans might hope prop bets remain alive in extra time. Within a game in the NFL, a prop bet might have more chance to land in the event of OT needing to be played.
However, most of the time, prop bets will not include a period of extra time or overtime. It is possible in many sports to place a prop bet on the game going to ET or OT, though, so this is an option.
Benefits of prop bets
There are plenty of reasons why prop bets are popular at the LeoVegas Sportsbook. Often, there is a lot of value in prop betting markets, meaning the potential payouts can be good.
For big events, such as the Super Bowl in the NFL, prop bets can be a good option. As an example, NFL fans can place prop bets on which player will be named the game’s MVP at the end. Betting on the coin flip at the start of the Super Bowl is also an option for those that don’t know much about the sport!
Prop bets add more flexibility for sports bettors and let them use their knowledge and expertise. Those who have a deeper level of understanding about their favourite sport might be interested in some of the more specific prop betting markets available at LeoVegas.
With the LeoVegas Sportsbook adding more prop betting markets all the time, users should keep their eyes open for the latest markets that might be of interest to them.