Football Specials - Football Prop Bets Guide and Tips

Player-Based Special Bets

Football player props are the most common prop bets in online football betting. The bets only focus on players and not any other game aspect. Depending on the sportsbook, these special bets may revolve around a single player or multiple players. A good example of player-based special bets is determining which player will score the opening goal. You can decide to choose Cristiano Ronaldo or any other player. If the chosen one scores the initial goal, your bet wins.

Another good example of proposition bets is predicting the player who will score a hat trick in a match. It can be between two English Premier League teams, like Manchester United and Manchester City derby. Lastly, you may be required to predict the number of goals you think Lionel Messi score statistics will read at the end of the match.

Goal-Based Special Bets

As the name suggests, goal-based special bets revolve around goals scored in a match. This is one of the most prevalent prop bets on football betting sites. Goals prop bets are available in multiple variations. For example, you may be asked to predict the first goal time, determine the last team to score a goal or be asked to place a goal interval football prop bet. With such options, you are spoilt for choices, so you are free to choose the prop bet markets you are most comfortable with. Note that goal-based prop bets are available in some top leagues, including the Spanish La Liga and Bundesliga.

Other In-Game Special Bets

Besides the mentioned special bets, there are many other in-game prop bets that you may find exciting. Most of these betting options are not classified into either of the already discussed prop bets. The most popular football props that fall under this category include Winning Margin, Penalty to be awarded, and Over/Under team corners. You may also find Over/Under total corners. This prop bet requires you to predict the total number of corners both teams will get at the end of the match. As you can see, these prop bets occur in-game but are neither related to the goal scored nor player-based props. You are likely to find other in-game special bets depending on the match.

Alternative Prop Bets

Alternative prop bets are popular special bets common among recreational bettors. These bets are not based on an individual match but rather on other events happening in the league. For instance, the operator may require you to predict which Premier League manager will be sacked next. Depending on the league dynamics, such a bet may be long-term or short-term. Another common alternative prop bet includes foretelling which English team will win this season's Champions League. Alternative prop bets are often fun and exciting compared to other prop bets.

Fun Prop Bets

Fun prop bets are suitable for sports fans who don't have extensive experience in sports betting. One of the most popular fun prop bets on betting sites is determining how many times the camera will show a team's manager. Such a betting market does not require research but simply luck. If you have particular information on an event, you may find fun prop bets easy to place. However, it is important to be realistic to increase your winning chances when deciding the outcome.

Skill Prop Bets

On the other hand, a skill special bet is a football prop bet that requires you to apply some skill to make the correct prediction. These require you to leverage your betting knowledge and research skills to place winning bets. An instance of skill prop bets is the first team to score two goals. To make such a bet, you must know the statistics of both teams. You also need to research the previous matches between the teams in question. Note that you can use a long-term winning strategy on skill prop bets.

Betting Flexibility

Proposition bets are known to have the added flexibility that is overly exciting whether you are an expert or an amateur gambler. Such flexibility allows you to punt on various occurrences so long as they are included in the betting markets. You can gamble on the correct score and winning margin. You can also bet on the player who will score a hat trick. These options would be impossible to find without prop bets.

Introduction to Sports Betting

Special bets are amazing for new bettors. The betting markets will ease you into sports gambling and enhance your initial betting experience. If you are new to online gambling, consider starting with fun prop bets before advancing to skill special bets. Once you get used to these kinds of bets, you can go ahead and start making actual predictions of matches.

Make Money

Players who understand prop bets can testify that placing special bets can be rewarding. If you have specific knowledge about a particular aspect, you can use it to your advantage and make money online. Another reason prop bets are the best way to make money online is that you don't need to have any knowledge to make the correct prediction.

Entertainment

Lastly, proposition bets are very entertaining. The fact that you don't need to research when placing bets is amazing. The idea of betting on certain events, such as how many times the head coach will appear on the camera, is, on the other hand, entertaining. You only need to use the fun to your advantage when placing online bets. Forgetting that you are betting may see you lose some cash if you are not careful.

Study the Game and Find Reliable Sources of Information

When dealing with skill proposition bets, you must research to make correct predictions. One of the best ways to approach the betting process is to study the game carefully. If possible, research the statistics of the teams' past three games. You must also know which players will be on injured reserve and which will be the weakest defence team. Make sure you get your information from reliable sources such as news sites.

Think Outside the Box

Prop bets can have a peculiar turn of events. Therefore, you need to always think outside the box. That is whether you are placing fun prop bets or skill bets. Doing so will help you be open to possibilities. Also, be open to the probability of an event happening regardless of how funny or odd it seems. Such approaches will see you place correct bets most of the time.

Do Not Ignore Non-Superstar Players

Don't dwell too much on the star players; you forget non-superstar players. In most cases, it is much easier to make prop bet predictions of non-superstar players since they don't have too much going on. Therefore, identify betting markets that capture unpopular players and place football bets. This is an important betting tip, even if you are an expert punter.

Pay Attention to Moving Odds

In most cases, prop bets usually contain markets with moving odds. It is important to observe keenly which betting lines are changing as per the game. This may help you understand the landscape better, and ultimately, you may place likely odds. Keep this in mind when researching and observing the games you're about to bet on. Only ignore the betting tip if there are no moving odds.

Luis Suarez at the 2014 World Cup

During the 2014 World Cup, a betting site in Norway posted one of the silliest props stating that Luis Suarez will bite someone during the tournament. The prop carried amazing odds of 175:1. Some punters decided to think outside the box and place the bet without hesitation. During the tournament, Luis Suarez bit an opponent, and 167 punters cashed in on the bet. Sadly, the fun prop bet was never placed on an English betting site. Otherwise, more gamblers would have considered making a bet.

Brazil vs Germany at the 2014 World Cup

Another bizarre instance during the 2014 World Cup was when someone made the exact prop bet prediction without missing out on anything. The game was between Brazil and Germany, considered one of the main highlights of the World Cup. A punter predicted that Germany would beat Brazil 7-1 and Sami Khedira would score a goal. The total odds of the prop bet were 2320, and surprisingly the punter won the event. Another gambler predicted that Germany would win 7-1 and make some good money.

The Long Shot

If you never thought brave people existed, wait until you hear the story of Adrian Hayward. Hayward dreamt Liverpool player Xabi Alonso scored behind the midfield. Soon after waking up, he went to a local bookmaker and convinced the attendant to allow him to place the bet. The bookmaker accepted the bet since the chances of that happening were close to zero. During the game, Luton, the opponent, sent the goalkeeper downfield to assist with the offence. Soon after, Xabi Alonso got the ball and noticed the opponent's wide-open goal. He proceeded to shoot the ball behind his midfield and scored the goal. Adrian Hayward ended up cashing in $31,000.