What Are Player Prop Bets?

Player props have become the most popular way for bettors to wager on their favorite sports.

Player props allow bettors to wager on individual outcomes within a game. For example, Derrick Henry’s rushing yards will be listed on a sportsbooks with odds such as OVER 89.5 -115/UNDER 89.5 -115. You simply need to pick which outcome you believe will occur.

If Henry rushes for 90 yards and you bet the OVER you win, but if he only hits 89 yards your bet loses. And vice versa, if King Henry hits 105 rushing yards and you bet the UNDER, your bet loses.

You may see in NBA or WNBA line look something like LeBron James OVER 29.5 Points -115/UNDER 29.5 Points -115. This is both the line and odds for your betting pick, as the bettor you need to decide to wager that LeBron will score OVER 29.5 points, or UNDER 29.5 points to win.

What Types Of Player Props Can You Bet On?

Sportsbooks offer player prop markets across nearly every major sport. NFL bettors can wager on passing and rushing yards, attempts, receptions, touchdowns and a slew of other props. Popular NBA and WNBA props include the stalwarts of points, rebounds, assists, as well as three-pointers and a host of other combinations.

You can also find props for pitcher strikeouts and player hits in baseball, shots on goal in hockey or soccer, and the classic goals or assists in most sports. Thankfully, you can find +EV plays across multiple sportsbooks here at Prop Professor.

How Do Player Prop Odds Work?

Always check the odds before betting on your favorite prop. The number beside the prop tells you how much the bet pays. If both sides are listed at -115, like our Derrick Henry prop above, you would need to wager $115 to win $100 in profit.

You’ll notice both sides are usually priced at negative odds, which is the sportsbook including a built-in advantage known as the vig or juice.

Sportsbooks can also adjust the lines in the lead-up to the game. For instance, Derrick Henry OVER 89.5 rushing yards may move to -135, with the UNDER available at +105. This means the sportsbook believe the OVER is more likely to hit, but you have to pay the premium to bet it. In this case, betting the UNDER at +105 odds simply means you’ll receive a profit of $105 on a $100 wager.

What Happens If a Player Lands on the Exact Prop Number?

Most player props use a half-point line to prevent this. A line of 89.5 rushing yards can only finish OVER or UNDER.

However, some props are listed at whole numbers. If you bet OVER 90 rushing yards and the player finishes with exactly 90, your wager will be graded as a push and your stake refunded. It’s important to note, overtime statistics will generally count toward player props, but always check the specific market and rules at your sportsbook of choice.

Injuries are slightly more complicated. Some books offer injury protections, while others offer a piece of your winnings as insurance. If a player starts the game but leaves early, many sportsbooks will leave your wager active. If the player doesn’t participate at all, the bet will generally be voided. Always check your sportsbooks specific rules and guidelines before placing your wagers.