How To Bet On MLB Games

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.

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.

The first thing you need to understand when beginning to bet on baseball is what the odds mean. MLB odds will usually be presented in one of two ways: American odds or decimal odds. American odds are the most common, and they represent how much you would need to bet in order to win $100. So, if the odds are +200, that means you would need to bet $100 to win $200. Decimal odds are less common, at least in North America, but are more straightforward than American odds. The numerical value you see represents how much you would win for every $1 you bet. So, if the odds are 2.00, that means you would win $2 for every $1 you bet. Or is the case of a $100 bet, you stand to win $200.

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.

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.

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.

A prop bet is a wager on something that’s not directly related to the outcome of the game. So, for example, you might bet on whether a certain player will get a hit in their first at-bat or if there will be a home run hit in the game. MLB prop betting is usually only available online, and it can offer a very large edge for bettors deeply familiar with certain players’ (such as new MLB prospects) or teams’ tendencies.

A futures bet is a wager on an event that will take place at some point in the future. So, for example, you might take a look at the MLB wildcard standings and make a futures bet on who will win the World Series before the playoffs even start. MLB futures bets usually offer very good value due to the large amount of time that elapses between placing the bet and the actual event taking place, but are often difficult to win at a high rate, so make sure not to overleverage or bet more than you can afford to lose.

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.

Americas Cardroom is one of the most popular online poker rooms for US players, but they also offer a very good sportsbook. They have a wide range of MLB betting markets available, and their odds are usually very competitive. They also offer a good selection of other sports, so it’s a great option for those looking to bet on multiple sports.

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.

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.

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.

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.