Beginner
Prop Bets (Game & Event Props)
A prop bet — short for proposition bet — is any wager on an outcome other than the final score. Game props, team props, and event props (like the Super Bowl coin toss) all fall under this umbrella.
Example — NFL
Will the game go to overtime? Yes +900
A $10 wager wins $90 if the game ends regulation tied and goes to overtime, regardless of who wins.
How It Works at MA Sportsbooks
Prop betting in Massachusetts covers everything from team total points to "will there be a safety scored" to the length of the national anthem during the Super Bowl. The Bettor Health Act (S.302) introduced in 2026 proposes tighter restrictions on in-play and certain micro-prop markets — operators currently offer the full prop menu, but rules may tighten depending on legislative outcomes.
Pros
- Fun, low-correlation bets
- Available on big events (Super Bowl, March Madness)
- Often based on narrative not skill
Cons
- Higher house edge than core markets
- Limited bet size on novelty props
- Variance is extreme
Pro Tips
- Shop the Super Bowl prop sheet across all MA books — variance is highest
- Avoid novelty props as a primary edge — high vig
- Track operator-specific prop boosts for free EV