Proposition bets, or prop bets, aren’t new to Las Vegas sports books, but in recent years, they’ve garnered national attention during the Super Bowl for the variety of betting options they offer. With every passing year, prop bets seem to gain popularity and a permanent place in Super Bowl culture and fanfare.

The bets are not typically considered big money makers — although Mark Cuban famously tweeted, and later denied, that he won $20 million on a prop bet during Super Bowl XLVIII — but they make the game fun for handicappers, casual bettors and observers alike.

What are prop bets?

The defining difference between prop bets and all other bets — such as point spreads, over/unders and moneylines — is that prop bets don’t hinge on the outcome of the game but rather specific occurrences within the game. Traditionally, the prop bets offered at major sports books have been limited to game-related occurrences. This allows bettors to wager either on the team or on individual players.

Who do they appeal to?

Many sports books offer team and player prop bets during regular season games, but the number of available prop bets increases dramatically during the Super Bowl, appealing to bettors regardless of their experience level. Casual bettors enjoy making prop bets to get in on the excitement, and many handicappers place prop bets because they offer lighthearted relief during the biggest sports betting day of the year.

What about those who like to analyze?

Some prop bets might lend themselves to more in-depth analysis than others. For instance, if the bet is how many interceptions Russell Wilson will make, you could review his stats from the season and try to find trends and averages. But many prop bets during the Super Bowl are wild, which is what makes them so fun.

Examples

• Team prop bets: What team will score the first points of the game?

Broncos -115

Panthers +115

• Player prop bet: How many touchdowns will Tom Brady throw during the game?

Over/under 2

Prop bets you might see at Nevada sports books

• How many total touchdowns will be scored throughout the game?

• Will there be a safety in the game?

• Which player will score the first touchdown of the game?

• Will the game go into overtime?

• Will the team that scores first win the game?

• Which team will be the first to challenge an official’s call?

• Which team will make the first successful field goal?

• Which team will call the first timeout?

• Which team will commit the first turnover?

• Will at least one quarter be scoreless?

• Will one of the teams score a rushing touchdown?

• Will one of the teams score in all four quarters?

• Which team will win the coin toss?

• What will the largest lead of the game be?

• What will the jersey number be of the player to score the first touchdown?

Once the teams for Super Bowl 50 are determined and the lines are set, many prop bets will focus on specific players, such as their passing yards, passing attempts, rushing yards, completions, interceptions, tackles, field goals and touchdowns.

Offshore prop bets

Last year, the Super Bowl inspired many exotic prop bets, ranging from the funny to the outlandish to the outright ridiculous, from offshore sports books. Although such bets aren’t available in Nevada, they’re still good for a laugh. Here are a few of the most notable:

• Will the NFL fine Marshawn Lynch for an incident during media day?

• What color Gatorade will be dumped on the head coach of the winning team?

• What color will Katy Perry’s hair be when she begins the halftime show?

• Who will the Super Bowl MVP mention first in his speech?