Sports Betting 101: The most fun prop bets for NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB

Anyone can pick a winner against the spread or cash in on the moneyline, but it takes a bit more skill and research to string together successful prop bets.

A prop bet is any wager placed on a contest that does not involve the final score of the game. A team win isn’t necessary here. We’re looking for individual performances to bank on or bet against. Maybe thats Tom Brady throwing for two-or-more touchdowns in a game or LeBron James registering a triple-double on a given night. The goal is to look for weaknesses and trends for an individual athlete or team to exploit.

That looks different across each sport and makes for some of the most fun and exciting betting experiences.

Here’s a look at which prop bet in each sport is guaranteed to take you for a thrill ride win or lose:

MLB: No Runs First Inning

Known by bettors simply as the NRFI, the No Runs First Inning prop is extremely straightforward. The bettor wins if the first six outs of a game come and go without anyone crossing home plate.

Sounds simple—and it usually is—but there’s a reason why it’s considered a gamble. Sometimes a routine ground ball gets bobbled allowing a hitter to reach base and come around to score. Sometimes it’s a first pitch home run that ends the NRFI before it even has a chance to cash. Often times, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. When two ace pitchers are on the mound odds of the NRFI hitting can plummet to -200 (bet $200 to win $100) or below.

If you’re looking to place a bet with a quick outcome, there’s no more enticing prop than No Runs First Inning.

NHL: First Period Over

Unlike like the NRFI, a First Period Over—or FIPO—in the NHL is a wager on offense. Much like the NRFI, it typically doesn’t take long to cash.

Sportsbooks like Tipico offer odds for an over/under on goals scored per period. The first period usually allows for a bit more risk-taking on offense as teams are still figuring each other out. Typically this means an over/under set at 1.5 goals. A FIPO win requires at least two goals in this case.

Conversely, you can wager on a first period under (or second period, or third period) but then you’re rooting for defense. That’s still fun, of course, but not as exciting as watching skaters light the lamp.

NFL: Anytime Touchdown Scorer

As any fantasy sports manager can attest to, few things are better than watching your player go for six regardless of the score. Betting on an anytime TD scorer creates the same energy over and over again.

The best part of this prop is that you can bet on multiple players and avoid handcuffing yourself to just one athlete. That comes in handy especially for teams loaded with skill players—like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their pass-catching corps of Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski.

The most-bet MNF props at @tipico before the Seahawks and Saints kickoff:

-Jameis Winston UNDER 1.5 total TD
-Alex Collins OVER 44.5 rush yard
-Alvin Kamara OVER 31.5 receiving yards

Are you fading the public? pic.twitter.com/2lRrfx5XuL

— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) October 25, 2021

Odds vary by player, which makes sense given the way quarterback-wideout combos can change the game, but it doesn’t make the bet any less exciting. Even in a blowout, betting an anytime TD provides a reason to pay close attention.

NBA: Player points + assists + rebounds totals

Are you an NBA League Pass fiend? Enjoy watching individual players more than sticking with one team all year? This prop is for you.

The points+assists+rebounds bet combines a player’s stats into one number which is set against an over/under. For instance, let’s say Stephen Curry has a points+assists+rebounds over/under of 42.5. He would need those three categories to add up to 43+ in order for a bettor to win. So if Curry finishes with 30 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, it’s an easy cover on 42.5. As always, bettors could take the under here, too.

If you believe Curry is due for an off night, make it interesting. And like the NFL’s Anytime Touchdown Scorer prop, bettors can place multiple prop bets on one game.

Either way, it turns an NBA game into a one-man show and gives bettors tunnel vision for at least 48 minutes.