Having a good strategy is just one part of becoming a successful sports betting enthusiast. It might seem like we’re overexaggerating here, but it’s the truth!

Having a strategy and sticking with it means constantly being focused and looking at the long-term picture. Only then can you truly understand betting value and manage your budget accordingly. Those are the key cornerstones of strategy in online sports betting.

Prop betting strategy, just like all other wagering categories, doesn’t have a set of strict rules. Sure, there’s stuff you’ll find on arbitrage betting and other exploitations that are on the margins of being illegal, but that’s definitely not what we’re here for!

But if prop betting strategy doesn’t have a strict set of rules, how should we approach it?

Well, we’re talking about a matter that can’t really be passed on from one bettor to another. While that might work for other betting strategies and systems, online prop betting has so many opportunities that there’s no “one size fits all” solution.

You’ll have to cater the options to your needs, adjust the stake on the fly, and learn from your mistakes before cementing a strategy. It’s the good old method of trial and error. And it’s a time-consuming process, but I’m sure the following our advice will help alleviate the learning curve!

What Is Prop Betting?

Let’s start off with the basics—what is prop betting, anyway?

Prop betting represents wagers placed on anything other than the typical moneylines, game totals, and point spreads. Proposition betting is the full name, and the variety is endless.

Why do people love prop bets? Well, not only are they generally considered the easiest bet type consistency-wise, they’re also entertaining. For more info on the basics behind prop betting, check out our brand-new video on the topic:

Most Common Prop Betting Options on Sportsbooks

Let’s face it, most people bet on sports props. That’s the most popular category—the one everyone is the most comfortable in. But not all sports props are the same.

We’re not just talking sheer popularity here, but we’re talking about other valuable factors, too. For instance, some prop bets have simple “yes or no” scenarios. Some have numerous possible outcomes; some are based on just a single player and their performance. The variety is endless, really.

Common Yes/No Prop Betting Opportunities
  • Will There Be Overtime?
  • Will There Be a Touchdown in the First Half?
  • Will There Be a Penalty Kick?
  • Will the Team That Scores First Win the Match?

Player-Specific and Team-Specific Prop Bets

  • Will Messi Score a Goal?
  • Will Juventus Get a Penalty Kick?
  • Will Chelsea Get a Red Card?
  • Will Bruno Fernandes Make an Assist?

Prop Bets with Multiple Possible Outcomes

  • Total Interception in a Match
  • Total Sacks in a Match
  • Total Passing Yards
  • Exact Number of Goals in a Match

Typical Prop Betting Categories

Sports And Esports Prop Betting Banner

Sports Props

The above-listed prop bets are the typical bunch you’ll find when hunting for sports props. The options vary from bookie to bookie, so if one doesn’t have what you’re looking for, do your biddings elsewhere.

But basing your prop betting strategy solely on sports bets won’t get you far. The key is in combining sports props with other important categories, such as entertainment, politics, and esports.

Entertainment Props

What’s this all about? What exactly do entertainment props represent? Well, believe it or not, some online bookmakers have in-depth coverage of stuff like reality TV, movie/TV/music awards, the National Spelling Bee, and plenty more.

Yes, sir, you can bet on who’ll win the next American Idol, The Voice, and Survivor—assuming you can find a bookie that features such bets, of course. The thing is, they’re not that difficult to find, especially Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes props. They’re everywhere!

Political Props

Then, there’s politics, of course! The 2020 US elections were really something in terms of overall betting presence. And there was more to it than a simple Biden vs. Trump bet. Some bookies allowed users to bet on when exactly the election will end.

The demand was through the roof, with Betfair recording over $564 million bet on the 2020 Presidential Race. Here’s an interesting political prop we covered last year.

Esports Props

The esports betting industry is not to be taken for granted! It has been rising steadily for almost a decade now, with no signs of stopping—only more growth! With that said, it’s no wonder esports props exist.

However, you might find them under a different name. Esports specials is what they’re generally labeled as, but the concept is exactly the same.

Keep in mind, though, only the biggest esports events out there have in-depth prop coverage. We’re talking about the biggest events in Dota 2, CSGO, and League of Legends, and that’s about it. Don’t expect to be betting on esports props week in and week out. It’s going to take at least a few more years for that to become a standard.

Prop Betting Strategy Advice

As stated in the intro, coming up with your own prop betting strategy is the best course of action. Watching other people’s examples is one thing, but don’t let them guide you all the way. You’ll have to make some alterations here and there, so you might as well do everything from scratch.

What are the most important things you should focus on when it comes to sports betting or even esports betting? Well, the whole pre-betting system is of crucial importance so we’ll start off with that.

Double-Check the Stats

Make sure you have all the right numbers. Research is half of the work; double-check the stats so your match is correct! No matter what kind of prop bets you’re aiming for, being up to speed on all relevant info is of key value. You can’t expect to consistently win half-baked bets. That’s just not possible!

Open up a spreadsheet and do your bidding there. A single sheet is enough to keep you busy for a week, especially if you’re aiming for highly-anticipated contests such as the opening rounds of the season or first matches of a major event.

Sports prop betting is by far the most popular category. Online NFL betting tops the charts, too. If you’re into that, make sure you check out our NFL prop betting guide. It’s a must-read for everyone, no matter the skill level!

Beware of Vague Phrasing

Some bookies tend to be vague with their prop betting opportunities. For instance, you might see the following bet:

Will Messi Have an Assist? Yes/No
If you place “yes” and the Argentinian magician earns two assists, some bookies might cross your wager out because “an assist” only implies one assist, not two. When certain figures aren’t specified, they always go in favor of the bookie; keep that in mind at all times!

Only opt for prop bets that have everything definitely properly! That’s the only way you can be 100% sure you’re going to get your payout—assuming you win, of course.

Don’t Rely on Luck-Based Props

Luck-based props are a thing. Aren’t all props based on luck? No! We’re talking about proper luck-based props here; stuff like odd/even number of goals/touchdowns/rounds. These require no knowledge, just luck. A bit of luck here, a bit of luck there—and a bit of it everywhere!

We certainly don’t encourage playing around with these bets.

If you’re serious about your prop betting strategy, you should base it around props that you can analyze with stats that are readily available. Those are the key factors to consider in what is only a small portion of the complexity that is the online prop betting process.

Don’t Invest Too Much Into Prop Betting

Even though our prop betting advice might seem like the category is all rainbows and butterflies, that doesn’t mean you should stick to just prop betting. Diversify your wagers; don’t put all of your eggs in one basket!

Investing too much into prop betting is a no-go. Keep yourself busy with conventional wagers. Forcing props won’t get you anywhere!

Even if you don’t want to listen to our advice here, bookies are likely to limit your stakes. Heck, they might even restrict your prop betting activities or ban you from the category should you win one too many consecutive wagers. It’s just something to keep in mind.

Come up With Your Own Prop Betting Strategy

This is the thing we’ve been trying to emphasize all along! There are just too many figures involved with prop betting strategies. It’s better to make the entire system on your own than to mold it over someone else’s betting process.

Whether we’re talking about specific prop betting options, stake amounts, betting system, or bankroll management, everyone’s betting habits are different. With that said, figuring things out on your own is the best approach here. It’s the most time-consuming one, but it will pay off in the long run.

The Pros and Cons of Prop Bets

So, is prop betting what everyone should be wagering on all the time?

The answer is no. Nothing is perfect.

Prop betting, just like everything else in life, has its pros and cons.

Pros

  • They provide a lot of variety
  • They feature interesting wagering options
  • They spice up the entertainment
  • They often yield hefty returns
  • Bets can easily be exploited

Cons

  • Bookies typically restrict prop betting stakes
  • You’re likely to get restrictions yourself if you win often
  • Some of them are based solely on luck
  • They cannot be handicapped (in most cases)

Prop Betting FAQ

We aren’t done just yet. We still need to address some burning questions you might have about prop bets and prop betting strategy.


Certain prop bets bring forth a ton of value, especially those with multiple possible outcomes. However, you should know that bookies tend to place restrictions on prop bets. Typically, we’re talking about maximum stake restrictions. You won’t be able to bet thousands of bucks on a single prop; most places won’t allow that. In more extreme scenarios, people who constantly win big with prop bets (even with restrictions in place) are likely to get banned from playing further prop bets. This isn’t that common, but it can happen if your prop betting strategy is on point.

What’s the deal with prop betting strategies anyway? This piece is all about that, but we haven’t given you any real numbers, no real stats and systems, none of that stuff. Why is that so? Well, our goal is to give you advice on how to tailor a prop betting system to your own needs. Watching other people’s strategies can only get you so far… You’ll have to play around with numbers and betting options to find the perfect balance for your particular betting style.

Don’t worry, guys! There are plenty of prop betting opportunities in the esports ecosystem. The thing is, they’re just called differently. Esports betting enthusiasts refer to prop bets as esports specials. Keep in mind, though, they are only available during the scene’s biggest events.

Yes, they can, and they will, assuming you win all of your prop wagers with high stakes. Such limits have been a part of the prop game for a while now. It’s no secret that most bookies lose money on prop bets… That’s why they’ve started to implement stake restrictions and give outright prop bans to certain players (read frequent winners). Don’t let that discourage you though. You can still earn a ton of money if you come up with and stick to your own prop betting strategy.

You’ve read through the whole piece; you know what props are, what to expect in terms of variety, and the potential risks they might bring forth… But there’s still one thing bothering you—which bookie should you use to maximize the results of your prop betting strategy? Worry not! Our top online sportsbooks guide has all the answers you’re looking for. Consider that piece your very own online prop betting Bible. It will eliminate all teething issues and help you get your bearings. It’s a great way to kickstart your sports betting adventure!

Summary

Prop betting opportunities are endless. They are an inexhaustible source of entertainment and profit potential. As such, it’s definitely worth taking the time to develop your own prop betting strategy. Find something that you can consistently predict. Find something with exceptional value; find something not a lot of people know about.

Prop betting strategy is one of those things you shouldn’t brag around with. There’s no “one size fits all” answer here. The nuances make and break the experience; it’s up to you to find the combo that fits your betting and analysis style.

With those words, we’re all done here. Hope you’ll start including prop bets into your weekly endeavors!

Chris Blain profile picture
Chris Blain

mail Click to Contact Chris Blain More From Chris Blain