“Novelty Bets” (also called “Exotic Props” or “Specials”) are wagers on unusual events that fall completely outside of traditional sports markets.
In short: if you can think of it, and it’s not a point spread, a moneyline, or a player stat, it’s probably a novelty bet.
Where You See Them
Novelty bets are most popular during massive cultural events, especially the Super Bowl and major awards shows.
- Super Bowl Props (The Most Famous):
- The Coin Toss: Will it be Heads or Tails? (A simple 50/50 bet).
- Gatorade Bath Color: What color liquid will be poured on the winning coach? (Purple, Orange, Blue, etc.)
- National Anthem: Will the length of the National Anthem be Over or Under a set time (e.g., 1 minute, 45 seconds)?
- Halftime Show Props: Will the singer wear a hat? What will be the first song performed?
- Non-Sports Examples:
- The winner of a reality TV show (like The Voice or Survivor).
- The winner of the Presidential Election.
- The next Pope.
- Which celebrity couple will get engaged next.
Novelty Bets vs. Prop Bets
The line between these two is often blurry, but here is the easiest way to think of it:
| Bet Type | Focus | Example |
| Player Prop | Player performance | Patrick Mahomes Over/Under 2.5 Touchdowns |
| Game Prop | Flow of the game | Will the game go into overtime? |
| Novelty Prop | Non-game spectacle | Will the first commercial be for Bud Light? |
