How to bet on Baseball
Baseball offers the same betting options when it comes to Money Line, Totals, Futures and Props but it also offers the Run Line which is very similar to the Point Spread in other sports.
Baseball Run Line or Spread
When betting on the run line in baseball you are betting that you team will win by the amount of runs specified in your bet. When betting on the underdog your team does not need to win the game in order for you to win your bet as long as they don’t lose by more than the specified number. On run lines it is common for the odds makers to include a price to each side as well as a half point to the run line in order to avoid a push.
Baseball Total or Over/Under
Betting on the total or over/under of a baseball game means that you are betting on the total number of runs accumulated by both sides once the game had ended. Totals, just like the run lines, may include a price on either side making either the over or the under the favorite depending on the price. It is not uncommon to see the half point strategy implemented on the total as well.
Baseball Money Line
The money line betting option in baseball provides the bettor the ability to bet on their team winning the game out right. Money line betting does not take into account the number of runs your team wins by. If the team you bet on wins the game, you win your bet.
When betting on the favorite, the amount that is assigned to the team is the amount that you would have to wager in order to win $100. When betting the underdog, the dollar amount assigned to the team is the amount you will win for every $100 placed on that line.
In MLB the pitcher plays a major role in the game so most odds makers will give you the option to have your bet cancelled if the pitcher that was listed at the time of your bet changes before the first pitch of the game is thrown.
Baseball Futures
Baseball futures usually are available before the beginning of the regular season. The team to win the World Series is just one of the options available for MLB futures but you can also usually find divisional and conference winners as well. Future bets are calculated and resolved once the events they pertain to have ended.
Baseball Props
Baseball proposition can cover a range of options including individual player props. Will there be extra innings, which team will score first or will there be a score in the first inning are just a few examples of the type of baseball prop bet that are available.
In-Game Betting, or Live Betting
It is not uncommon to find live betting or in game betting available for most sports these days and baseball is no different. With this type of betting option, you can place bets on a game as it is in progress. Odds makers will monitor the game very closely in real time and depending on what is happening on the field they will update the live lines throughout the game.
