From early April until the end of September, millions of devoted baseball fans will head out to the ballparks or perhaps they'll watch the new season unfold on television. Baseball is back, it's exciting - and with close to 200 games in any given season, it doesn't get much bigger than betting on baseball online!
As with most sports, online baseball betting requires a certain amount of knowledge, discipline and skill. Although there are a number of different bet types to consider (over/under totals, props and futures), the two most wagered upon, however, are the moneylines and runlines.
Online Baseball Betting at Bodog Sportsbook
Moneyline
With online baseball betting, odds expressed in terms of money - or the moneyline. (Note: When reading the moneyline, you'll notice the visiting team listed on top, with the starting pitchers named under each team.)
When you're betting the moneyline, you are simply picking the winner and the price you pay is adjusted depending on who is the favorite or who is the underdog. For example, whenever there is a minus (-), you must lay that amount to win, say, a hundred dollars, where there is a plus (+), you get that amount for every hundred dollars wagered.
Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite. Oddsmakers have their eyes on you, the beginner, the online baseball bettor who likes to play big favorites. Oddsmakers will use the moneyline so that you must lay down more money on the favorite or expected winner - and less money on the underdog - to balance the action on both sides. (Suffice to say, baseball isn't as lucrative as it sounds for most sportsbooks. It isn't always about balancing the action.)
Runlines
Runline bets incorporate elements of the moneyline and the point spread. When bookmakers post odds for a runline, the moneyline favorite in a match-up will be listed at -1.5 runs with the juice reduced and the moneyline underdog will get the extra 1.5 runs at steeper odds.
This is an especially appealing bet on a big favorite since you don't have to risk as much money if you believe the team will win by two or more runs and can even get "plus" money in some cases.
Keep in mind that during the regular season, games are decided by one run approximately one quarter of the time, but that number jumps in the post season as the competition becomes more intense and competitive.
Baseball betting online takes on a whole new light in the postseason, especially when you're looking at your props and futures betting options.
A quick look at other bet types: Props and futures
A prop bet is a wager that is not directly related to the final score of the game. For example, if your favorite baseball team is playing and you don't really have a feel for the outcome of the game, you might still have a feel for the pitchers or some of the players. You could place a prop bet or two on how those pitchers or players might do and that makes watching the game more exciting.
With futures, the general rule is the earlier you bet, the higher your payoff. If you think one particular team is going to have a really big year, choose to bet on that team, especially if they are not one of the favorites.
Baseball Betting Online at Bodog Sportsbook
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