Poker naturally attracts individuals who enjoy taking risks. This inclination often extends to prop betting . These types of bets are especially prevalent at major poker tournaments, where players seek to enhance the excitement during long hours spent at the tables.
Interestingly, prop bets can sometimes extend beyond the traditional poker setting. Many renowned poker figures have engaged in some substantial wagers, which include a variety of unusual activities outside of just card games.
- Golf
- Feats of endurance
- Weight loss,
We will examine prop bets in the realm of poker and highlight some of the most notable wagers made throughout its history.
What is a Prop Bet?
The term 'prop' is a shorthand for proposition betting. It refers to a wager placed on a specific event related to an individual player's performance. This type of bet is frequently found in sports betting, where wagers are based on statistics such as goals scored, yardage gained, or various other metrics.
In the United States, prop bets see a significant surge in popularity during the Super Bowl . These bets often encompass more than just player performance outcomes.
Football enthusiasts enjoy betting on a variety of quirky events, such as:
- The coin flip
- The color of the Gatorade that will be dumped on the victorious coach.
- The duration of the national anthem, among other fun wagers.
Within the realm of poker, prop bets can range from simple wagers like 'last longer' to much more eccentric ones. These unique bets often require greater effort and financial stakes.
Although some of these more peculiar bets may not directly involve poker, they have become an integral part of the gameplay experience. higher-stakes poker scene.
Poker players often have a passion for gambling. Prop bets serve as an enjoyable way to inject additional excitement into the competition. It’s not uncommon for poker players to seek out opportunities to gamble on a variety of subjects.
Common Poker Prop Bets
Some of these prop wagers are directly related to the game of cards, while others are popular only among poker aficionados.
- These can present some entertaining chances to wager a small amount of money.
1. Last Longer
Last Longer bets are particularly common among friends participating in a tournament. The premise is simple and straightforward.
- For instance, a group of friends might enter an event at the World Series of Poker where each puts up an extra hundred dollars for the bet.
- As the tournament unfolds, the participant who lasts the longest gets to take home the prize pool.
While some may argue that this isn’t a traditional prop bet, it remains one of the most sought-after side wagers in poker, closely tied to player performance.
A Last Longer bet could significantly enhance the fun factor on a poker trip with friends.
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2 – Red or Black
Here’s another simple prop betting game This bet unfolds just as the name suggests. Fans of High Stakes Poker may recall players engaging in this entertaining wager.
Like the classic red or black bet on a roulette wheel, players place bets on which color will appear on the flop. Two participants each select a color for the evening - one chooses red, and the other black.
- The player who encounters a flop with all hearts or diamonds wins, while if all cards are spades or clubs, the opposing player claims victory.
- Flops Mixed flops are typically disregarded, although players can agree beforehand to count the majority color instead.
The two participants can settle their bets at the end of the evening or turn this into a recurring wager. This prop bet adds a fun twist to a poker night spent with friends.
3 – Deuce-Seven (Seven-Deuce)
Introducing a Deuce-Seven challenge can add an intriguing dynamic to a cash game, rewarding players for succeeding with a weak hand. The 2-7 hand is considered the worst in poker. When one of the players wins with that hand, the others must contribute a predetermined amount.
- For instance, if a player initiates a substantial raise that forces everyone to fold.
- Once the Deuce-Seven is revealed, each opponent pays an agreed-upon sum, like $10.
This format can lead to intense moments when a player actually manages to get a 2-7. It can also prove costly if someone takes a risk at the wrong moment while an opponent holds a strong hand .
4 – Weight loss
While this prop bet might not directly correlate with poker, it certainly complements the game. As players often endure long hours at the tables, unhealthy eating habits can develop over time.
A financial incentive can encourage poker players to adopt healthier lifestyles and shed a few pounds.
In 2018, brothers Jaime and Matt Staples made an intriguing weight loss prop bet.
They put up $3,000 to Bill Perkins’ $150,000.
We did it! We triumphed in the ultimatesweat bet and secured 150k. I feel incredibly surreal right now.
— Jaime Staples (@jaimestaples) March 26, 2018
Thanks to @matthew_stapless @bp22 @mikevacanti friends and family, @beccarr94 And, of course, thanks to everyone cheering for us every day. You've inspired me to improve. Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yg6IpfLv5y
Having begun at over 300 pounds for Jaime and 134 for Matt, they challenged each other to reach the same weight after a year. On March 25, 2018, they both weighed in at 188 pounds.
- Both ended up receiving a nice payout from their prop bet at impressive odds of 50-1.
Poker journalist Jess Welman shared her own weight loss journey in 2021. weight loss prop bet journey Due to an injured foot, Welman couldn’t exercise but found that playing poker naturally reduced her appetite. She lost weight while also pocketing some winnings.
The more, the merrier contributes to the enjoyment of this prop betting experience.
5 – Pick a Card
When one of your cards hits the flop, everyone agrees to pay the predetermined amount.
- Everyone picks a card value.
- If two of those cards appear on the flop, the winning player earns twice as much.
- The greater the number of participants, the more payouts and enjoyment everyone experiences.
Poker players are always on the hunt for some action . Prop bets can certainly be a fun way to achieve that.
Famous Poker Player Prop Bets
Let’s delve into some of the most fascinating prop bets from the field of poker.
Poker Hall of Famer Huck Seed is well-acquainted with prop bets. One of his wagers stands out in particular. He accepted a $10,000 wager from fellow poker professional Howard Lederer. poker world .
6 – Backflip Betting
The bet required Seed to execute a standing backflip but he only had a brief two days to master it.
At 6 feet 6 inches tall, this was no small challenge for Seed.
- Allegedly, he secured coaching help from an uncle who was an acrobat. The story goes that his uncle fashioned a harness for him to practice over those two days.
Incredibly, just two days later, Seed pulled off the backflip and collected the $10,000 , laying the groundwork for many other prop bets to come.
Famed poker player Antonio Esfandiari is also familiar with prop betting. During the PCA in the Bahamas in 2016, he took on a rather unconventional wager from Bill Perkins. However, things didn’t quite go as planned.
7 – Deep Knee Bends
Instead of simply walking, the bet required Esfandiari to traverse all areas of the tournament grounds at the Atlantis Resort using deep-knee lunges.
| With $50,000 at stake, he took the bet seriously, lunging his way everywhere from heading to the restroom to grabbing snacks. |
However, with a sizeable chip stack , things became intense. Feeling worn out from lunging, Esfandiari opted to urinate in a water bottle hidden under the poker table.
- Later in the tournament This behavior was not well-received by either fellow players or staff, leading to Esfandiari being promptly ousted from the tournament. He later apologized for his actions.
Despite winning the $50,000, in a generous act, he chose to donate his winnings to charity .
Poker players, known for their competitive spirit, often carry that drive onto the golf course as well. Many enjoy spending time swinging clubs.
8 – Golf Bets
Poker Hall of Famer Amarillo Slim Preston once bet $40,000 on his ability to drive a golf ball a full mile. This challenge may have seemed impossible, yet Preston had devised a strategy.
He took on the challenge on a golf course that had a hole overlooking a large body of water.
- It happened to be winter, and the lake was frozen solid.
- Preston took a swing and launched the ball, which seemed to travel endlessly, resulting in a victory and his cash.
- In another remarkable golf bet, Erik Lindgren made a wager that might sound impossible.
- He bet several players, including Phil Ivey and Gavin Smith, that he could successfully complete four rounds of 18 holes, all under a score of 100 in a single day.
Additionally, he had to carry his clubs – golf carts were not permitted.
Standing to gain $340,000 , Lindgren began his golf quest at 6 a.m. under what would turn into 115-degree heat in Las Vegas.
- His first two rounds managed to stay under 100, but achieving that goal while battling the scorching weather was quite a challenge.
Eventually, Lindgren sank his last putt, claiming his winnings – and perhaps losing 17 pounds in the process.
Food-related bets can also lead to some intriguing prop bets. During an episode of High Stakes Poker, Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan engaged in a unique wager. Ivey would win $1 million if he could commit to being a vegetarian for an entire year.
Initially, Ivey even considered raising the stakes to $5 million. However, a few weeks into his diet of vegetables and tofu, he had a change of heart.
9 – Vegetarian for a Year
Proposition betting, often abbreviated as prop betting, is a popular side wager among poker enthusiasts. Let's delve into our countdown of the most notable instances in poker history.
Poker is a game that naturally attracts individuals with a penchant for risk-taking and gambling. For many players, this inclination extends to prop betting . These kinds of bets frequently pop up during major tournaments, where players seek additional excitement to break the monotony of long hours spent competing at the tables.
- Interestingly, a prop bet can sometimes extend beyond the poker table. Notable figures in the poker world have engaged in some substantial bets, not just limited to the game itself.
In this overview, we'll explore prop betting within the poker realm and highlight some of the most memorable wagers that have taken place.