What is a prop bet? Betting on what happens inside the game
A proposition bet, or prop, is a wager on something other than the final result. It might be Jalen Brunson’s points, the first team to score or whether a game goes to overtime.
Props come in two main types:
- Player props: a single player’s stats, such as passing yards, rebounds, shots on goal or strikeouts.
- Game props: events in the game, such as first team to score, race to 20 points or total touchdowns.
Most props are priced as over/unders or yes/no bets in American odds.
How player props are priced: a worked example
Say a book posts this line for a Knicks game:
| Prop | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson points 27.5 | -115 | -105 |
Bet $115 on the over and you win $100 if Brunson scores 28 or more. Bet $105 on the under and you win $100 if he scores 27 or fewer.
The prices tell you where the book leans. At -115 the over carries an implied probability of 53.5%, against 51.2% for the under at -105. The two add up to 104.7%. The extra 4.7% is the book’s margin.
Yes/no props and anytime scorers
Touchdown scorer props are priced like moneylines. If a Giants running back is +140 to score anytime, a $50 bet wins $70 if he finds the end zone at any point, including overtime.
A first touchdown scorer bet pays much more, often 5 or 10 times your stake, because only one player can win it.
Player prop rules: when your bet is void
Props have their own settlement rules, and they differ from book to book. The most common:
- Player must play. If a player is inactive or does not start, most books void the bet and return your stake. MLB pitcher props usually require the listed pitcher to throw the first pitch.
- Overtime counts for full-game stats in the NFL, NBA and NHL unless the market says regulation only.
- Official stats settle the bet. Late stat corrections by the league can change the result, within the book’s settlement window.
Read the rules tab on any market before you bet it.
Game props by sport: what NY books offer
NFL: first team to score, race to 10 points, longest touchdown, total field goals, either team to score three unanswered times.
NBA: race to 20 points, first basket, winning margin bands, highest-scoring quarter.
NHL: first goal scorer, both teams to score, goal in the first 10 minutes, total power-play goals.
MLB: run in the first inning (often called YRFI/NRFI), total hits, extra innings.
Props also feed same game parlays. Our parlay betting guide explains why correlated props are priced differently on an SGP.
What New York bans: off-limits prop markets
New York has some of the tightest prop rules in the country.
No college player props. NY bettors cannot bet individual college athletes’ stats, for any school. The New York State Gaming Commission backed a national ban in a letter to the NCAA dated April 15, 2024. That means no Heisman-hopeful passing yards and no March Madness player points.
No bets on New York college teams at all. State law prohibits any wager on a game involving a New York college team, wherever it is played. Non-NY college games are still on the board for game-level markets. Details in our guide to college sports betting in New York.
No award futures. NY sportsbooks do not take bets on season awards such as NFL MVP or Rookie of the Year, as Legal Sports Report has reported. A bill to add them, S2616, has not passed.
More limits may come. In November 2025 the Commission began re-examining game-specific player props and same game parlays. At its March 16, 2026 meeting, the Chair said the Commission “could consider banning proposition bets entirely” if leagues do not engage. As of October 2026 no new ban has taken effect.
Where the edges usually hide in props
- Shop lines, not just prices. One book’s 27.5 points is another’s 26.5. A full point on a player prop matters.
- Follow injury news. When a starter is ruled out, teammates’ usage changes before every book adjusts.
- Know the matchup. Pace, minutes and opposing defense move player totals more than reputation.
- Keep stakes small. Props carry higher margins than main lines at many books. Size them like any other bet.
Which NY betting apps have the deepest prop menus?
All 8 live NY sportsbooks post player and game props on pro sports. They differ in depth, line choice and how fast they update. Compare them on our best NY sportsbooks page.
- FanDuel and DraftKings: the two biggest books in the state by 2025 revenue. Both build props into their same game parlay tools.
- BetMGM: Edit My Bet lets you change a prop leg on an open bet before it settles.
- Fanatics: prop bets earn FanCash like any other wager.
- Bally Bet: runs on the Kambi platform, so its prop menu and prices differ from the big two, which is useful for line shopping.
Prop betting FAQ
Can you bet player props in New York?
Yes, on professional sports. NY sportsbooks offer player props on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more. College player props are prohibited.
Why can’t I bet college player props in NY?
New York prohibits wagers on individual college athletes’ performance. The Gaming Commission supports the ban to protect athlete safety and game integrity, and it backed a national ban in an April 2024 letter to the NCAA.
Can I bet on NFL MVP in New York?
No. NY sportsbooks do not offer award futures such as MVP or Rookie of the Year. A bill to allow them has not passed.
What happens to a player prop if the player doesn’t play?
At most books the bet is voided and your stake is returned. Check each book’s rules, because some markets, such as MLB pitcher props, have specific start requirements.
What is the difference between a player prop and a game prop?
A player prop depends on one athlete’s stats, such as points or yards. A game prop depends on events in the game, such as the first team to score.
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