Top 5 Prop Bets Made By Poker Players In 2021

Prop bets are a staple in any poker community and the more outrageous they are, the more fun they can be to follow. Many famous poker players have taken part or have been challenged to take part in prop bets over the years and 2021 is no different. Prop bets are often side bets made to either settle an argument or generate action. 

Poker players right from Jason Koon to Phil Hellmuth have made headlines this year for the buzz they created for their prop bet challenges. We’ve picked out five of the top ones that managed to catch our attention. Read on to know the top 5 prop bets made by poker players in 2021.

1. Jason Koon Claims He Can Run 100 Meters in 10.9 Seconds

Jason Koon

When the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2021 wrapped up, Jason Koon made headlines when he clinched his first WSOP bracelet. However, just a few months before that, Koon was already in the spotlight for a prop bet he made. In a moment of bravado, Koon wagered a staggering $2 million after claiming that he could do a 100-meter sprint in under 10.9 seconds.

The bet started when Koon tweeted a video of DK Metcalf running a 100 meters sprint in just 10.36 seconds. PokerGO’s Social Media Manager, Remko Rinkema then asked him, “What would you get if you dedicated yourself to it for a year? Just curious.” This is where Koon replied that he could do it in 10.9 seconds provided he was given one year to train and had no injuries.

I will bet you $2,000,000 I can do it in a year if you can actually escrow. I assume you will be crickets after this. https://t.co/ziv8JouPUI

— Jason Koon (@JasonKoon) May 10, 2021

A Twitter user, David Joseph was not convinced and told Koon he would escrow up to 5 million if Koon was willing to bet on it. Koon did not back down and immediately challenged Joseph for $2 million. Given that the poker player has a background in athletics, this wasn’t an empty claim. After the guy who initiated the prop bet started to back out, Bill Perkins stepped in to offer Koon a $100,000 freeroll if he could do it by February 2022.

ALSO READ: Jason Koon Is GGPoker’s Latest Global Ambassador

2. Dan Bilzerian Challenged To A High-Stakes Heads Up Match

Dan Bilzerian

When it comes to controversies, Dan Bilzerian is never far behind. This Instagram bad-boy is no stranger to prop bets and even won $1.2 million in the famous ‘Bike Bet’ back in 2016 where he cycled all the way from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in just under 48-hours. This year the poker player was reportedly challenged by Alec Gores for a high-stakes heads-up poker match for a jaw-dropping $100 million.

The GGPoker ambassador has long claimed that he has made tens of millions in poker. However, in a Logan Paul’s podcast called ‘Impaulsive,’ Bilzerian claimed that a huge chunk of it actually came from Gores. This reportedly miffed Gores to such an extent that he challenged Bilzerian for a high stakes heads up game which will be one of the biggest in poker history if played.

3. Phil Hellmuth Attempts To Beat Aria $25,000 High Roller Tournaments

Phill Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu

Two poker legends, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu created a buzz when Negreanu put $400,000 on the line after betting that Hellmuth wouldn’t be able to beat the $25,000 Aria Super High Roller tournaments. The prop bet was made after Hellmuth criticized Negreanu on his high-stakes feud against Doug Polk. The two exchanged words on social media which eventually led to the bet reaching $400,000. Phil Hellmuth himself has often been critiqued on the level of his play in recent years and this challenge was put forth to prove himself.

4. Landon Tice Lands In Another Bet With Bill Perkins

Landon Tice & Bill Perkins

It seems like some poker players just can’t get enough of prop bets and Landon Tice is one of them. In June 2021, Tice and poker player Bill Perkins started a heads-up match which ended in Tice quitting after only 4,907 hands. Just when this bet got over, Tice ended up making another prop bet with Perkins. The bet? Tice bet $10,000 against Perkins’ $80,000 claiming that he could win a live no-limit Texas hold’em bracelet at the 2021 WSOP. However, by the looks of it, it seems that Tice has lost the bet once again to Perkins as he failed to grab a bracelet at the 2021 WSOP.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Indian Games That You Should Play

5. Ninja Warrior Bet Between Shaun Deeb & Tony Miles Causes Fallout

Tony Miles

While this year saw many famous prop bets being made, it also saw a few that did not end on good terms. Prop bets are usually made in zest or to create buzz, however, in the case of Shaun Deeb and Tony Miles, that backfired. Even though the bet happened back in 2018, this year was when things turned sour.

Deeb, a four-time WSOP gold bracelet winner, challenged Miles for a prop bet where Miles would have to participate in the America Ninja Warrior and get past one round. This is not a simple challenge as the show is a difficult test of strength and endurance. Deeb had given Miles a three-year period to complete the bet with the odds being 25/1, 20/1, and 15/1. If Miles did not complete the bet, then he would have to pay Deeb $5,000.

pic.twitter.com/LjzpQoB9KG

— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) June 23, 2021

In 2021, Miles attempted to win the bet for the third and final time. The deal went south when America Ninja Warrior informed that Miles made it to the semi-finals without hitting the buzzer. This shocked Miles and Deeb as they were both unaware that such a thing was possible. However, Deeb refused to pay Miles claiming that he did not clear the round as per their bet and both took to social media to voice their differences. In the end, Miles decided to be a good sport and pay Deeb the $5,000 and end the controversy.

These were just a handful of prop bets made by poker players in 2021. Owing to the buzz and excitement generated by such bets, we hope that the new year brings in its fair share of prop bets as well. For more news and updates, keep reading Gutshot Magazine. Follow us on our social media handles like Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram.