Understanding Future Bets and Prop Bets
This article is presented by ALL-STAR Magazine in collaboration with SportsPlusPH. Sports betting can be a thrilling way to enhance your sports-watching experience, but it’s essential to approach it responsibly. Always equip yourself with the proper knowledge before placing any bets. Know your limits, and bet wisely.
In the previous article, we discussed the three most basic markets people bet on in sports betting. In this article, we’ll cover other popular betting markets, including Future Bets and Player Props.
Future Bets refer to selecting the outright winner of a tournament or league. These wagers are determined by long-term results, typically decided at the end of a season or tournament. For instance, betting on who will win the Eastern Conference, Western Conference, or specific divisions are examples of markets under Future Bets.
Future Bets usually have fixed odds before the start of the season or tournament. As the season progresses, bookmakers adjust these odds based on a team’s performance and health status. However, when placing a Future Bet, the odds you lock in are final, regardless of how they change throughout the season. For example, if you bet on the Lakers to win the championship at 15.00 odds, your ₱1,000 wager would return ₱15,000. Currently, though, SportsPlus offers odds of 40.00 for the Lakers to win the NBA championship.
Prop Bets, on the other hand, are wagers on specific events or outcomes within a game. These bets are not tied to traditional markets like the moneyline, spread, or handicap. Instead, they are focused on statistics—either individual or team-based.
There are many markets under Prop Bets. Using basketball as an example, one common category is Player Props, which are tied to a player’s statistical performance. Some popular Player Prop markets include a player’s total points, rebounds, assists, or three-point shots made.
As always, the odds depend on the player’s usual performance. For instance, betting on Steph Curry’s three-point baskets made might have a line of 4.5 based on his averages, whereas LeBron James might have a line of 1.5. It’s important to note that most sportsbooks require the player to start for the bet to be honored. If the player does not start, the bet is refunded. For example, if you bet on Curry to make over 4.5 three-pointers and he sits out before tip-off, your bet will be refunded. However, if Curry plays the first five minutes and is ruled out for the rest of the game, the bet will still stand.
Another type of Prop Bet could focus on the team, such as the total number of three-pointers made by the team during a game or their total points scored (e.g., Los Angeles Lakers over/under 108.5). The key difference between team and player props is that for team props, contributions can come from any player on the team.
