A prop bet is a wager on something other than the final result. You are not betting on who wins. You are betting on a detail inside the game, like how many points a player scores or which team scores first.
Props are some of the most popular markets in Canada, especially around the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. This guide breaks down player props, game props and novelty props, shows how they are priced, and walks through one worked example. For more beginner walkthroughs, visit our betting guides hub.
Prop menus vary a lot between operators. Compare the best online betting sites, or check which new sportsbooks carry the deepest player props.
What is a prop bet?
A proposition bet, or prop, is a wager on an outcome within a game rather than the overall result. The moneyline asks who wins. A prop asks something narrower.
Examples of prop questions:
- Will a player record over 24.5 points?
- Which team scores first?
- Will there be a goal in the first 10 minutes?
- How many total corners in a soccer match?
Single-event betting has been legal across Canada since August 2021, so these markets are widely available. Most are settled independently of the final score, which is part of the appeal. Your player can have a big night even if the team loses.
Player props vs game props
Props split into two main groups. Knowing the difference helps you find the markets that suit your knowledge.
Player props
Player props are tied to one athlete’s statistics. The sportsbook sets a line, and you bet over or under it.
- NBA: points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made
- NFL: passing yards, rushing yards, receptions, touchdowns
- NHL: shots on goal, points, saves
- MLB: strikeouts, hits, total bases, home runs
Player props are strongest in stat-heavy sports where one athlete carries a clear, countable workload.
Game props
Game props focus on the match as a whole, not one player. Common game props include first team to score, total team points, the result at half-time, and total corners or cards in soccer.
Novelty props
Novelty props are wagers on events around the game rather than the play itself. They peak around the Super Bowl, which our keyword research shows is the single biggest prop market for Canadian searchers.
Typical novelty markets:
- Length of the national anthem
- Coin toss result
- Colour of the sports drink poured on the winning coach
- First song in the half-time show
Novelty props are fun, but they are close to coin flips. Treat them as entertainment, not as a strategy. The house edge on these markets is usually wider than on standard player or game props.
How props are priced
Most player props are priced as an over/under around a set line, often near -110 on each side. The -110 reflects the sportsbook’s built-in margin, sometimes called the vig.
A quick refresher on reading the odds:
- Negative (-110): the favourite. You risk $110 to win $100.
- Positive (+150): the underdog. A $100 stake wins $150.
Private Canadian sportsbooks default to American odds (-110, +150). Provincial lottery products such as PROLINE+ and Sport Select default to decimal odds, where -110 is shown as 1.91. Learn the conversion in our betting odds explained guide.
Lines move as money comes in and as news breaks, so a number you see in the morning may shift before kickoff. There is no guaranteed outcome on any prop, even a heavy favourite.
Worked example: a shots-on-goal prop
Say an NHL winger is listed at Over 2.5 shots on goal at -120. You like the matchup and back the over with a $50 stake.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Market | Player shots on goal, Over 2.5 |
| Odds (American) | -120 |
| Odds (decimal) | 1.83 |
| Stake | $50 |
| Profit if he records 3+ shots | $41.67 |
| Total return | $91.67 |
The math on a -120 line: divide 100 by 120, then multiply by your stake. That is 0.8333 x $50 = $41.67 profit. If he finishes with two shots or fewer, the bet loses and you are down your $50. The half-point in 2.5 means there is no push; he either clears it or he does not.
Building props into a same game parlay
You can combine several props from one match into a same game parlay. Each leg must hit for the bet to win, so the odds multiply and the payout grows. The trade-off is that one missed leg sinks the whole ticket.
A sample three-leg same game parlay on an NBA game:
- Star guard Over 26.5 points (-115)
- Both teams Over 110 points combined (-110)
- Centre to record a double-double (+130)
One caution: props in a same game parlay are often correlated. A high-scoring game makes several overs more likely at once, which is why sportsbooks price these bundles carefully and sometimes restrict them. Learn the structure in our parlay betting guide, and see how single over/under lines work in over/under betting.
Where props fit your betting
Props reward specific knowledge. If you follow a team closely, you may spot a player line the wider market has not adjusted, such as a forward who shoots often against weak defence.
A few practical pointers:
- Start with player props in sports you watch most.
- Check usage and role, not just season averages.
- Note injuries and rest days that change a player’s minutes.
- Compare the line to recent performance before you back it.
Season-long markets are a close cousin. A bet on a player to lead the league in scoring is really a long-term prop, covered in our futures betting guide. Whatever you back, set a budget first and treat props as one tool, not a shortcut to profit.
Prop odds and the break-even win rate
| American odds | Profit on $100 | Break-even win rate |
|---|---|---|
| -130 | $76.92 | 56.5% |
| -120 | $83.33 | 54.5% |
| -110 | $90.91 | 52.4% |
| +100 | $100 | 50.0% |
| +110 | $110 | 47.6% |
| +120 | $120 | 45.5% |
Props often sit at -120 or worse, so you need a higher hit rate just to break even.
NHL props: Canada’s most-bet props
Hockey is where Canadian prop betting comes alive, and the menu runs deep.
- Player props: shots on goal, points (goals plus assists), goals, and goalie saves are the staples. Shots on goal is the most popular because it stays consistent night to night.
- Anytime goal scorer: a yes or no market on whether a named player finds the net, priced in American odds.
- Game props: total goals by a team, whether both teams score, and period-by-period results.
One thing to know going in: props carry a higher built-in margin than the main markets. A standard moneyline holds a few percent, while a player prop can hold far more, so the price is rarely as fair. Shop the line across books, and lean on props where you genuinely know the matchup rather than betting them by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
A prop bet, short for proposition bet, is a wager on something other than the final result of a game. Common examples include how many points a player scores, which team scores first, or how many total corners a soccer match has. Most props are settled on their own, so your bet can win even if the team loses.
Player props are tied to one athlete’s statistics, such as an NBA player’s points or an NHL player’s shots on goal. Game props focus on the match as a whole, such as the first team to score or total combined points. Player props suit stat-heavy sports, while game props cover team and match-level outcomes.
Most player props use an over/under line with odds near -110 on each side, which reflects the sportsbook margin. Private Canadian sportsbooks show American odds like -110 or +150, while provincial lottery products such as PROLINE+ and Sport Select default to decimal odds, where -110 equals 1.91. Lines move as money and news come in.
Yes. Combining several props from the same match is called a same game parlay. Every leg must win for the bet to pay, so the odds multiply and the potential return grows, but one missed leg loses the whole ticket. Props in one game are often correlated, so sportsbooks price these bundles carefully.
Yes. Single-event betting, which includes player and game props, has been legal across Canada since Bill C-218 passed in August 2021. Markets are offered by both provincial lottery products and private sportsbooks. The legal age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.
Novelty props, like the coin toss or anthem length at the Super Bowl, are close to coin flips and usually carry a wider house edge than standard markets. They are best treated as entertainment rather than a strategy. For more reliable value, focus on player props in sports you follow closely.
Shots on goal, points, anytime goal scorer and goalie saves are the staples, with shots on goal the most bet because it is consistent night to night.
Yes. Props usually carry a larger built-in hold than the main markets, so line shopping matters more.
Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. Set limits before you start, take breaks, and never bet to recover losses. If gambling stops being fun, free, confidential help is available: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (Ontario), BC Responsible Gambling 1-888-795-6111, or your province’s helpline.
19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC) | Please play responsibly | Odds approximate at time of writing | ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON) – see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.