LVASports.com moderator and handicapper extraordinaire Fezzik answers the latest sports-betting-related reader query, as part of the ongoing "Fezzik Fridays" feature.
"Prop" is short for "proposition bet." The Las Vegas Hilton is the best place for props. Jay Kornegay made a name for himself and the Imperial Palace when he was there by writing an obscene amount of volume on props. At that time, he probably offered ten times the options available at any other place. Kornegay maintained the same style after moving to the Las Vegas Hilton, which does it even better than the IP did. Volume of props is important, but here's what really makes the Hilton special.
Contrast this with just about every other book in the city that typically just waits for other books (like the Hilton) to put up props so they can copy them, then won't take much action on anything.
The M has become a new player in the prop business, putting up a lot of props and taking large bets. Another book worth looking at is Cal Neva, which often differs from other Vegas books due to its connection to Reno. Beyond these, nothing stands out, but bettors should certainly shop around. The original lines will change depending on the action that individual books get and can vary widely from place to place; middles and arbitrages are literally everywhere on game day.
Of course, there's also the online market. Many of the online bookmakers do their own work and you can find many props online that aren't even legal to make in Nevada. Bodog is famous for its crazy prop bets, though they often have low maximums. And you should always check Pinnacle, CRIS, and The Greek.
Despite their popularity with the betting public, some sports book managers "hate" props and, if they had it their way, would never hang a line on anything, whether it be Brady's passing yards or the length of the national anthem (offerred only at offshore books). That tells you something about them given that, in general, the more props a book offers, the sharper the book and it's operators are.
To get in on the action at the LVASportsboards member-only forums, it's only $24.95/month -- you'll find over 300 serious sports bettors, including the best brains in handicapping, sharing their knowledge and picks, but you have to be a member to take part. Makes a great holiday gift for any sports-betting enthusiast, too.
