프롭베팅

프롭베팅 3. A Brief History of Prop Betting

Sports betting itself dates back centuries, but the modern evolution of prop betting can be traced to the mid-1980s. A defining moment came in 1985, during the lead-up to Super Bowl XIX, when sportsbooks decided to experiment with unusual bets. Soon after, the spotlight turned to whether William “The Refrigerator” Perry, the robust defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, would score a touchdown in Super Bowl XX (1986). Bettors flocked to this unconventional market. When Perry found the end zone, the triumph received massive media coverage and prop betting seized the public’s imagination.

Over the next few decades, Las Vegas operators and online sportsbooks dramatically broadened the range of prop wagers. Initially dismissed by traditionalists as mere gimmicks, props gradually gained legitimacy as a specialized segment. Today, one of the busiest seasons for prop bettors is the stretch leading to major events such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup Final, and top-flight soccer tournaments. And it doesn’t end with sports—political elections, reality TV results, or celebrity happenings can also be part of the prop landscape.

4. Types of Prop Bets

Prop bets cover a vast spectrum, and bookmakers continually roll out fresh ideas. Becoming familiar with key categories can help you pinpoint the bets that match your knowledge or passions most effectively.

4.1 Player Props

Player props target the quantitative outputs of individual athletes. A few common examples across popular sports:

• NFL: Passing yards for a quarterback, rushing yards for a running back, total receptions for a wide receiver.

• NBA: Points, rebounds, or assists accrued by a specific player.

• MLB: Strikeouts recorded by the starting pitcher, hits for a particular batter.

• NHL: Goals, assists, or total points for an individual player.

One reason player props are so favored is that they highlight potential mismatches. Facing a porous defense, a star running back might easily surpass a projected rushing yard total, leading to a profitable bet.

4.2 Team Props

Team props focus on collective outcomes rather than individual feats:

• Will a team score above or below a certain points threshold?

• Which side posts the first touchdown, goal, or run?

• Which team ends with the highest number of turnovers?

• Will a squad be leading at the half or the close of the first quarter?

For bettors who prefer to analyze team dynamics, these wagers emphasize broader strategies and synergies.

4.3 Entertainment and Novelty Props

Some prop bets step outside the realm of sports, venturing into:

• Award Shows: Forecasting the winners at the Oscars, Grammys, or Emmys.

• Politics: Projecting election winners or tallying electoral votes.

• Reality TV: Predicting weekly eliminations or final show champions.

• Super Bowl Specials: Guessing the length of the national anthem or the color of the infamous Gatorade shower.

While many treat novelty props as lighthearted diversions, individuals with specialized data or insider knowledge can discover genuine edges.

4.4 Exotic or Cross-Sport Props

Exotic props may intertwine results from different sports or events into a single wager:

• Will an NBA star’s rebounds in one game exceed an NFL quarterback’s touchdown passes in the same week?

• Who tallies more: a tennis player’s total aces or a soccer striker’s goals in a tournament?

These hybrid bets can be exceptionally intriguing for those with broad-ranging sports interests, though they demand more intricate analysis because of mismatched statistics.