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| How To Bet On Baseball |
| Football and basketball are the two most popular sports to bet on; however, baseball may be the easiest, once the bettor understands how to read the moneyline, which is the primary method of wagering for most baseball bettors. In addition to the moneyline, oddsmakers offer Runlines, Totals, Listed Pitchers and a wide range of betting propositions, including player-to-player matchups. |
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| Moneylines |
The moneyline is used to equalize the choice between the favorite and the underdog. To win a moneyline bet, the bettor’s team must win the game outright. Oddsmakers set the moneyline so that more money must be bet on the favorite (the expected winner) and less money on the underdog, thereby making each side attractive to the bettor.
Example: Most sportsbooks offer a 20-cent moneyline, while some offer the bettor a more attractive 10-cent or “dime line”. Here is an example of a 20-cent moneyline:
New York Yankees -155
Texas Rangers +135
The difference between –155 and +135 is 20 cents; hence a 20-cent line. If the bettor wagers $155 on the Yankees –155, and the Yankees win the game, then the bettor wins a net profit of $100. If the bettor wagers $100 on the Rangers +135 and the Rangers win the game, then the bettor wins a net profit of $135.
Some quality sportsbooks offer the more bettor-friendly “dime line”. Here is an example:
Boston Red Sox -145
Chicago White Sox +135
The difference between –145 and +135 is 10 cents, or a “dime”. If the bettor wagers $145 on the Red Sox and the Red Sox win, the bettor wins a net profit of $100. If the bettor wagers $100 on the White Sox +135 and the White Sox win, then the bettor wins a net $135. |
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| Runlines |
Essentially, the runline is a variation on the pointspread used in football and basketball.
When playing the runline, the bettor either “gives” 1 1/2 runs if betting the favorite, or “takes” 1 1/2 runs if betting the underdog.
Example: if the oddsmaker listed the Boston Red Sox as a strong –250 favorite, the bettor would have to lay a big price on the Red Sox to win. However, the bettor could play the Red Sox on the runline, giving 1 1/2 runs. The oddsmaker would reduce the price to –150, thereby minimizing the bettor’s loss. Of course, the Red Sox must win the game by two or more runs for the bettor to win the runline bet.
With the runline, the bettor may choose to take the underdog, thereby getting an additional 1 1/2 runs. To win this bet the underdog must either win, or lose by one run.
The additional option of the run line allows the bettor to wager on who will win the game outright (moneyline) or risk less and play the runline. |
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Typical Baseball “Dime Line” Chart |
Favorite |
Underdog |
Line |
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+100 |
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-120 |
+110 |
10 Cents |
-130 |
+120 |
10 Cents |
-140 |
+130 |
10 Cents |
-154 |
+144 |
10 Cents |
-160 |
+145 |
15 Cents |
-174 |
+159 |
15 Cents |
-180 |
+160 |
20 Cents |
-190 |
+170 |
20 Cents |
-200 |
+180 |
20 Cents |
-210 |
+185 |
25 Cents |
-220 |
+190 |
30 Cents |
-230 |
+200 |
30 Cents |
-240 |
+205 |
35 Cents |
-250 |
+210 |
40 Cents |
-280 |
+240 |
40 Cents |
-300 |
+250 |
50 Cents |
-320 |
+260 |
60 Cents |
-340 |
+270 |
70 Cents |
-360 |
+280 |
80 Cents |
-380 |
+290 |
90 Cents |
-400 |
+300 |
1 Dollar |
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| Totals: |
If the bettor does not want to bet a team to win outright, then betting the total score may be an attractive option. Total bets in baseball are based upon the combined number of runs scored by both teams. For example, if the oddsmaker posts the over/under total of a game at 9, and the combined runs of both teams adds up to less than 9, then the under wins; if the combined runs add up to more than 9, then the over wins; if the total runs is exactly 9, then the bet is no action.
In totals betting, the game must complete nine innings (8 1/2 if the home team is winning) to have action. If a game is called or suspended, the winner is determined by the score after the last full inning unless the home team scores to tie or take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, in which case the winner is determined by the score at the time the game is called. |
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| Listed Pitchers |
| One critical handicapping factor to consider when betting on baseball is the importance of the starting pitcher. A team’s starting pitcher can dramatically affect the odds to win. For example, if the Los Angeles Angel’s Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon were to be the listed pitcher against the Detroit Tigers’ Jason Johnson, then the oddsmakers would make the Angels a strong favorite over the Tigers. When betting listed pitchers, both pitchers scheduled to start at the time of the bet must pitch. If both starting pitchers do not throw at least one pitch, the bet is no action. |
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| Selected Pitchers |
| A bettor may specify the pitcher for his team without specifying a pitcher for the opposing team. The pitcher for the team that the bettor selects must start in order for the bet to have action, regardless of who pitches for the opposing team. If the selected pitcher does not throw at least one pitch, the bet will be ruled no action. |
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| Action |
An Action bet in baseball is on one team versus the other, regardless of who pitches. If one of the listed pitchers does not start the game, the betting line will be adjusted to the opening line with the new pitcher.
- A pitcher is considered the starting pitcher after throwing the first pitch of the game for his team.
- Baseball games are declared official after five innings of play or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is winning.
- If a game is called or suspended, the winner is determined by the score after the last full inning unless the home team scores to tie or take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, in which case the winner is determined by the score at the time the game is called.
- Bets will be refunded if the home team ties the game and it is then suspended.
- Events will not carry over to the following day, unless specified otherwise.
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| Parlay Wagers |
| Bettors can parlay up to eight baseball teams in each bet. Each parlay has a specific payout, as indicated in the following typical parlay payouts: |
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# of Teams |
Betting Payoff |
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13/5 |
3 |
6/1 |
4 |
10/1 |
5 |
20/1 |
6 |
40/1 |
7 |
75/1 |
8 |
150/1 |
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| Proposition Bets: |
- Total Hits/Runs/Errors: for bets on total hits+runs+errors in the game, both starting pitchers must go for action. Game must go 8 1/2 innings if home team is winning or 9 innings if road team is winning. Extra innings count. If a game goes past 9 innings and is not completed, then no action.
- Team to Score First/Run to Score in 1st Inning: Both starting pitchers must go for action
- Total Bases Matchups: Single=1 base, Double=2 bases, Triple= 3 bases, Home Run= 4 bases. Only hits count. Both players and starting pitchers must start for action
- Player Props: Both players must start for action
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