Prop bets: what they cover and what happens if a player doesn't play
A prop bet is a wager on something other than the winner, the spread or the total: a player's statistic, such as points or shots, or a special event in the game. The rule that matters most is what happens if the player does not play. That is set by each operator's terms, which we have not yet compared.
Checked by the editorial team on
- 2 min read
- 4 sections
- 4 FAQ
What a prop is
The word comes from proposition, meaning a statement that is either true or false when the game ends.
A prop can be small, such as whether a player scores, or it can be a count, such as the number of shots. The sportsbook offers a statement, and you bet that it will or will not happen.
- Player props: points, rebounds or assists in basketball, shots or points in hockey.
- Game props: which team scores first, or whether overtime is needed.
- Outcome props: the margin or method of a result, where offered.
Bottom line: a prop is a bet on a detail of the game, so settlement depends on that detail happening.
When the player does not play
A player can be injured, rested or left out of the lineup. The bet then rests on a rule about what counts as playing and what the operator does if the player does not.
We are not stating a rule. Our brief calls for the player-prop terms of at least three operators, each with a URL, a date and a quote of 15 words or fewer. None has been read yet.
When it is read, look for the words void, refunded and action. They show whether a bet is returned.
Where props appear
Props are common in basketball and hockey markets: see NBA and Raptors betting and NHL betting in Canada. A prop can also join a parlay or same game parlay, where one voided leg changes the whole bet.
A season-long bet is a different type; see futures.
How we checked
The definition and the list of types are our own summary. Operator terms are not yet quoted. More: bet types, odds and margins.
19+ in Ontario and British Columbia; 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly.
FAQ
What is a player prop?
A player prop is a bet on one player's statistic in a game, such as points, assists or shots. It settles on that player's own result, not on which team wins.
What happens if the player does not play?
It depends on the operator's terms. Some terms void the bet and return the stake; others settle differently. We have not yet quoted any operator's rule, so read the player-prop section before you bet.
Can a prop bet be part of a parlay?
Operators may allow props inside a parlay or a same game parlay. The rules on a voided leg are in each operator's terms.
Are props only about players?
No. A prop can also be a special event, such as which team scores first or whether a game goes to overtime. The common idea is a bet outside the winner, spread and total.