Picking winners in Major League Baseball can be a tough task for even the most seasoned bettors. There are so many variables to consider when handicapping an MLB game that it can be difficult to know where to start. However, by understanding the basics of how to bet on MLB games, you’ll give yourself a much better chance of coming out ahead in the long run.
But before we get into MLB betting itself, let’s take a quick at the legality of betting on baseball games.
MLB Betting & The Law
After the US Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on single-game wagering in 2018, states may now legalize sports betting for themselves if they so choose. As it currently stands, nearly two-thirds of all US states have authorized some sort of legal sports betting — some via mobile apps while others strictly through in-person bookmakers.
So, before placing any bets, be sure to check with your local authorities to make sure that you’re doing so within the confines of the law. This is doubly true for bettors outside the United States, each of whom will need to navigate entirely different regulations.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into how to bet on MLB games.
Understanding MLB Odds
There are two types of odds formats: fractional and decimal. Fractional odds are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and USA, and decimal odds are most commonly used in Australia and Canada. However, both formats represent the same thing – the potential payout if you were to bet on a particular horse.
For example, fractional odds of 4/1 would mean that if you bet $1 on that horse, you would receive $4 back plus your original stake ($5 total), for a total return of $9. Decimal odds of 5.0 would mean that if you bet $1 on that horse, you would receive $5 back plus your original stake ($6 total), for a total return of $11.
Types of MLB Bets
MLB Straight/Moneyline Bet
A straight bet is the most common type of baseball bet, and it simply means that you’re picking a team to win outright. So, if you bet on the Yankees at +200, that means you think they’re going to win the game.
A moneyline bet is effectively the same as a straight bet, except that the odds are often presented in decimal form. So, if the Kansas City Royals are 3.00 on the moneyline, that means you would win $300 for every $100 you bet.
MLB Runline/Spread Bet
A runline bet is similar to a point spread in other sports like football or basketball. In order to win a runline bet, not only does the team you picked have to win the game, but they also have to do so by a certain margin. So, if the Red Sox are -2.5 on the run line, that means they have to win by three or more runs for your bet to cash. Similarly, if the Cubs are +2.5 on the run line, that means they can lose by two runs or fewer and you would still win your bet.
Whether you decide to bet on moneyline or spread will really depend on how confident you are in the team that you’re backing. For example, if you think an underdog team is a lock, then a moneyline bet is probably your best option. However, if you believe that same game will go down to the wire, then a spread bet could give you some extra security in case of an unfortunate ending.
MLB Totals Bet
A totals bet is also known as an over/under bet, and it’s a wager on whether the final score of the game will be above or below a certain number. So, if the total is set at 8.5 and you bet the over, that means you’re betting that there will be nine or more runs scored in the game. Conversely, if you bet the under, that means you’re expecting eight or fewer runs to be scored.
These are just a few of the most common types of MLB bets that you’ll come across. However, there are plenty of other options out there including prop bets, futures bets, and online live betting. Let’s take a look at those now.
MLB Prop Bets
MLB Futures Bets
MLB Live Betting
Live betting is a relatively new innovation that allows you to bet on MLB games as they’re being played. So, for example, if you see that a team is down by a lot of runs but they have a strong lineup coming up, you could bet on them to make a comeback. MLB live betting is only available online, and it can add an extra level of excitement to watching the game, especially during MLB extra innings.
Now that you know how to bet on baseball, it’s time to start putting your knowledge into practice.
Where To Bet On MLB Online
Americas Cardroom
Tips For Selecting An Online Sportsbook
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an online sportsbook. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the site is safe and secure. The last thing you want is to have your personal information or money stolen. For this reason, make sure to only choose sportsbooks that have been operational for at least 5 years.
Second, you want to make sure that the site offers good value. This means competitive odds and lines as well as bonuses and promotions that can help you boost your bankroll. Americas Cardroom, for example, offers a 100% first-deposit bonus worth up to $2,000. To claim it, simply download the ACR software and begin playing, no bonus code is needed!
Finally, you want to make sure that the site is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The last thing you want is to waste time trying to figure out how to place a bet or having the site lag out just when you’ve found the betting line you’ve been waiting for.
MLB Betting Strategy
Now that you know how to read the odds, it’s time to start thinking about strategy. First, baseball is a very long season, so you need to be patient and disciplined with your betting so as not to bust your bankroll too early. Second, due to the large amount of data and information available, baseball can offer a very large edge for those who are willing to do their homework.
Keep in mind too that baseball is a low-scoring sport relative to other sports like basketball or football. That means that even a small lead can be difficult to overcome, and comebacks are rarer than they are in many other sports. With that in mind, betting on the favorite isn’t always a bad idea; in fact, favorites win around 55% of the time in MLB so if the odds are right, siding with the favs may be a reasonable approach.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that baseball is a game of streaks. A team that’s hot can stay hot for a while, and a team that’s cold can stay cold. That means that although each matchup should be bet independently, it can often be a good idea to ride a winning team – who is likely having fun and feeling confident — and bet against a losing team that may be feeling some pressure to perform. However, at a certain point – once the public’s bets have become increasingly concentrated either for or against a particular team — the odds may no longer offer any value on joining along for the ride. In fact, this is often when the sharpest bettors will start to bet against the public, looking to take advantage of market overreactions.
Finally, don’t get too caught up in trying to pick nothing but winners. In any given season, there are going to be teams that outperform expectations and teams that underperform. The key is to find value in the odds; in other words, to find bets where the odds are better than they should be. For example, if you think a team has a 50% chance of winning but the odds are +125, that’s a bet worth making assuming the rake is less than 25% (if it’s not, you’ve got a bigger problem to deal with than picking a winner). Over time, if you can find enough of these value bets, you’ll come out ahead even if you don’t win 55% of your bets.
MLB Picks and Parlays
A parlay is a bet that combines two or more individual wagers into one single bet. For example, you could parlay the New York Yankees -1.5 and the Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 and if both teams win by 2 runs or more, you’ll cash in a nice profit.
Parlaying multiple bets is a great way to increase your potential winnings, but keep in mind that the more bets you include in your parlay, the harder it will be to win. A two-team parlay has a roughly 16% chance of hitting while a four-team parlay has just a 4% chance.
Paying for MLB Picks
Also be wary of people selling MLB picks as the vast majority cannot beat the line themselves (if they could, they’d be much too busy counting their cash to run a pick-selling business). Not to mention that even if they can beat the house, the extra “juice” you’d effectively be adding to your bets by paying for picks will undoubtedly negate any edge you could possibly gain through the process. Even those offering free MLB picks or advertising on social media to “get your MLB picks today” will likely try to upsell you in the future and convert you to a paying (and usually losing) customer.
By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful MLB bettor. Just remember to stay disciplined, do your homework, and always look for value in the odds. If you can do that, you’ll give yourself a great chance to profit in the long run.
MLB Betting FAQ
In Major League Baseball (MLB) betting, money lines are used to indicate the odds of a particular team winning a game. Money lines are represented using a three-digit number that indicates how much money a bettor would have to wager to win $100, or how much money a bettor would win if they wagered $100.
If the money line is a positive number, this indicates that the team is the underdog, and a bettor would win more money than they wagered if they bet on that team and they won the game. For example, if the money line is +150, this means that a bettor would win $150 if they wagered $100 on that team and they won the game.
If the money line is a negative number, this indicates that the team is the favorite, and a bettor would have to wager more money than they would win if they bet on that team and they won the game. For example, if the money line is -200, this means that a bettor would have to wager $200 to win $100 if they bet on that team and they won the game.
It’s important to note that money lines can change leading up to the game, based on factors such as injuries, weather, and other factors that can impact the outcome of the game. Additionally, there are other types of bets available in MLB betting, including run lines and totals (over/under), that involve different types of odds and betting strategies.
+1.5 refers to the run line, which is a type of point spread used in baseball betting. When a team is listed as +1.5, it means that they are the underdog and that they are being given a 1.5-run head start.
This means that if a bettor bets on that team, they will win the bet if the team wins the game outright, or if they lose the game by no more than 1 run. For example, if the final score of the game is 5-4 in favor of the opposing team, a bet on the +1.5 underdog would be a winning bet because the underdog lost by only 1 run.
In contrast, when a team is listed as -1.5, it means that they are the favorite and that they must win the game by at least 2 runs in order for a bet on that team to be a winning bet.
It’s important to note that run lines and other types of bets in baseball betting can vary depending on the sportsbook and the specific game or matchup involved, so it’s always important to carefully review the odds and the terms of the bet before placing a wager.
“over 9” refers to the over/under betting line for the total number of runs scored in a game. The number “9” represents the total number of runs that the sportsbook has set as the expected combined score for both teams in the game.
If a bettor wagers on the “over 9”, they are betting that the total number of runs scored in the game will be more than 9. If the final score of the game is 6-5, for example, the total number of runs scored would be 11, which is more than 9, and a bet on the over would be a winning bet.
Conversely, if a bettor wagers on the “under 9”, they are betting that the total number of runs scored in the game will be less than 9. If the final score of the game is 4-3, for example, the total number of runs scored would be 7, which is less than 9, and a bet on the under would be a winning bet.
It’s important to note that the over/under line can vary depending on the specific game or matchup involved, and that other factors such as weather conditions, pitching matchups, and other factors can impact the total number of runs scored in a game.
“+200” money line represents the odds for a particular team to win the game. Specifically, a “+200” money line indicates that a bettor would win $200 for every $100 they wagered on that team, if that team were to win the game.
In other words, a “+200” money line indicates that the team is an underdog, and the sportsbook believes that the team has a lower chance of winning the game. The higher the positive number in the money line, the less likely the team is to win the game, but the greater the payout for a winning bet.
Conversely, a negative number in the money line (e.g. -200) indicates that a team is a favorite to win the game, and a bettor would need to wager that amount in order to win $100 if the team were to win the game.
If you bet $100 on a +140 money line, you would win $140 if your bet is successful, in addition to getting your original wager of $100 back.
To calculate the potential payout for a +140 money line bet, you can use the following formula:
Payout = (Wager x Money Line Odds) / 100
So in this case, the payout would be:
Payout = (100 x 140) / 100 = 140
Therefore, if you bet $100 on a +140 money line and your bet wins, you would receive a payout of $140, plus your original wager of $100, for a total of $240.
In baseball betting, betting on negative odds (also known as a “favorite”) means that a particular team is favored to win the game. While the payout for a winning bet is lower than it would be for a bet on an underdog team, betting on negative odds can still be a profitable strategy in certain situations.
One reason why bettors may choose to bet on negative odds is that they believe that the favored team is significantly more likely to win the game than the underdog team. This may be based on factors such as the relative strengths of the two teams, past performance, or other variables that can impact the outcome of the game.
Another reason why bettors may choose to bet on negative odds is that they are looking to minimize risk in their bets. Betting on negative odds is generally considered to be a lower-risk strategy, as the favored team is more likely to win the game. However, it’s important to note that there is no such thing as a guaranteed bet, and even favored teams can lose games.
Ultimately, the decision to bet on negative odds versus positive odds will depend on a number of factors, including the bettor’s personal strategy, risk tolerance, and analysis of the game or matchup involved.
In general, it is not possible to parlay bets on the same game. Most sportsbooks have rules in place that prevent bettors from parlaying bets on the same game, as this would create a situation where the outcome of one bet could potentially impact the outcome of another bet in the same parlay. This would make it difficult to determine the odds and payouts for the parlay, and could lead to confusion and errors in the betting process.
That being said, there may be some exceptions to this rule in certain circumstances. For example, some sportsbooks may allow bettors to parlay bets on different aspects of the same game, such as the moneyline, point spread, and total score. However, even in these cases, there may be limitations on which types of bets can be included in the parlay, and how many bets can be included overall.
In general, if you are looking to parlay bets on multiple games or events, it’s a good idea to check the rules and guidelines of your chosen sportsbook to ensure that you are following their policies and procedures correctly.
Parlay betting can be an exciting and potentially lucrative way to bet on sports, but it’s important to understand the risks and rewards involved before deciding whether or not to place a parlay bet.
On the one hand, parlay betting can offer significantly higher payouts than single bets, as the odds of winning multiple bets in a row are lower than the odds of winning a single bet. For example, a parlay that combines three separate bets with -110 odds each would offer a potential payout of around 6-1 if all three bets were successful.
However, it’s also important to remember that the more bets you include in a parlay, the lower your chances of winning the bet overall. This means that while the potential payouts for parlays can be high, the risks of losing the bet are also higher than they would be for single bets.
Ultimately, whether or not parlay betting is a smart strategy will depend on your individual goals, risk tolerance, and approach to betting. Some bettors may find that parlay betting is a worthwhile way to chase big payouts and add excitement to their betting experience, while others may prefer to focus on single bets and lower their overall risk. It’s important to carefully consider your options and make informed decisions based on your individual needs and preferences.
A parlay and a teaser are both types of bets in sports betting, but they have some key differences.
A parlay is a type of bet where you combine two or more individual bets into one single bet. In order to win a parlay bet, all of the individual bets included in the parlay must be successful. The potential payout for a parlay is higher than it would be for individual bets, but the risk is also higher, as a single loss will cause the entire parlay to lose.
A teaser, on the other hand, is a type of bet where you adjust the point spread or total line for each individual bet in your parlay in exchange for lower potential payouts. For example, if you have a two-team teaser with a six-point adjustment, you can adjust each point spread or total line by six points in your favor. This can make it easier to win the individual bets, but the potential payout will be lower than it would be for a regular parlay.
So, the main difference between a parlay and a teaser is that a teaser allows you to adjust the lines of the individual bets in your parlay, while a parlay is simply a combination of two or more individual bets. Teasers generally offer lower payouts than parlays, but they can be a useful tool for bettors who want to lower their overall risk and increase their chances of winning their bets.
Whether it’s better to straight bet or parlay depends on your individual goals, risk tolerance, and betting strategy.
Straight bets are generally considered to be less risky than parlays, as you are only betting on one outcome rather than combining multiple outcomes into a single bet. This means that you have a higher chance of winning the bet, but the potential payout will be lower than it would be for a parlay.
Parlays, on the other hand, offer the potential for higher payouts, as you are combining multiple bets into one single bet. However, the risk is also higher, as a single loss will cause the entire parlay to lose.
If you’re looking to minimize your risk and maximize your chances of winning, straight bets may be a better choice for you. If you’re comfortable with higher risk and want the potential for higher payouts, parlays may be a better choice.
Ultimately, the decision between straight bets and parlays should be based on your individual preferences, goals, and betting strategy. It’s important to carefully consider your options and make informed decisions based on your personal needs and circumstances.
Editor-in-Chief of the Big Blind, a prominent gambling industry publication, brings 30+ years of journalism experience to his role. His vision emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and responsible journalism, making the Big Blind a trusted source in the online gambling sector.
