Player Prop vs Game Prop

Proposition bets, commonly called props, are wagers on specific events or statistical outcomes within a game rather than on the final result. They fall into two main categories: player props and game props. Player props focus on the performance of an individual athlete, such as how many points a basketball player will score, how many passing yards a quarterback will throw for, or whether a soccer forward will score a goal. Game props focus on team-level or match-level events, such as which team will score first, whether both teams will score, or the total number of penalties in a game.

Player props have grown enormously in popularity, driven by legalized sports betting and the availability of detailed statistical data. Bettors who study individual matchups – such as a wide receiver facing a weak secondary or a pitcher facing a lineup that struggles against left-handers – can find value in player prop markets that may not be as sharply priced as the spread or moneyline.

Game props depend on team-level dynamics rather than individual talent, ranging from straightforward (which team scores first) to exotic (exact score at halftime). Both player and game props are typically offered as over/under lines or as yes/no outcomes.

Example

In an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, a sportsbook offers the following props. A player prop might be “Jordan Love over/under 245.5 passing yards” at -110 on both sides. If Love throws for 260 yards, the over wins. A game prop might be “First team to score: Packers -130, Bears +110.” If the Bears kick a field goal on the opening drive, a $110 bet on Bears as the first team to score returns $110 in profit. These two bets exist independently of the game’s final outcome.

Key Points

• Player props focus on individuals: These bets target a specific athlete’s statistics, such as points scored, yards gained, strikeouts recorded, or goals scored.
• Game props focus on team or match events: These bets cover broader occurrences like which team scores first, whether the game goes to overtime, or the total number of turnovers.
• Over/under is the common format: Most props are structured as over/under a set number, though some are offered as yes/no or multiple-choice markets.
• Growing market with potential edges: Player prop lines may be softer than traditional markets because sportsbooks cannot dedicate the same level of attention to every individual player stat.
• Available across all major sports: Both player props and game props are offered for football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and many other sports, with the variety expanding around major events.