Baseball season is here, which means one thing: it’s time to place that much-deserved wager on the big game.
If you’re new to the world of sports betting, you’ll be happy to know there are strategies and methods to successfully place bets on baseball. If you keep reading, you’ll discover how to leverage the odds in your favor, so that when the game ends, you’ve won enough to satisfy your needs. And, maybe, just maybe, leave you with a small profit.
Understand The Odds
You wouldn’t play the lottery every day, would you? Well, it’s the same with betting on sports. You don’t want to spend your entire bankroll on one or two matches, because you never know when a small profit will turn into a big win.
It’s important to understand the odds in baseball betting. Simply put, the odds are the chances of something happening. For example, a typical over under bet gives you the chance to win more than you lose. So, if the over bet is on the Yankees, and they win by one run, you win your money back (plus some).
The key to successful betting on baseball is knowing how to set the line. The line is what makes a game interesting. If it were strictly based on who has the best players, there wouldn’t be much of a point in watching or playing. But, in reality, the line is usually determined by a number of factors, including the weather, the state of the teams, and, sometimes, a third party’s influence. For example, if the Athletics are playing the Giants, and it’s the last week of September, then the Athletics have a good chance of winning this game. And if the line is set at 5.0, then you would have to bet $100 to win $5.
Bet On The Under
Betting on the under is a popular strategy in sports betting, and it’s not hard to see why. Essentially, you’re getting paid to take a chance. If the line is set at +100, then you’re guaranteed to win $100 if the Giants lose. Naturally, this is attractive to people who like to gamble. It’s also a strategy which suits certain situations. For example, if you’re in New York in the middle of September, and the Yankees are playing the Athletics, then you’re better off betting on the under.
On the other hand, if you’re in Oakland in the second half of September, and the Athletics are playing the Giants, then it’s better to bet on the over. You’ll have the advantage of being in an open stadium, since the over bet generally pays out when the home team wins by more than two runs.
Weather Is Everything
You can’t overlook the weather when placing a wager on a sporting event, especially if you’re in a country with a significant population of people who hate hot weather. For instance, if you live in a country with an extremely hot weather season, like Australia, then you would want to avoid betting on baseball, since the over bet pays out heavily when rain interrupts play. Thus, you’re better off avoiding these types of bets completely.
Similarly, if you live in a country with an ungodly cold weather season, then you would want to avoid taking on the under bet. In these types of countries, the over pays out when there’s a large amount of snow on the ground, making it difficult for players to field the ball. If you want to take a chance in these types of countries, then you should choose between the heat or cold, but not both.
A Little Bit Of Everything
Many people who bet on sports don’t like to limit themselves to one strategy. They like to keep their options open, which is why they like to bet on both the under and the over, regardless of the situation. For example, if the Athletics are the heavy favorites in an under/over game, and you’re not a massive OVER favorite, then you’re better off taking the under, since you’ll lose a little money, but at least you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing your team win. This is also known as a ‘scared money’ strategy.
This type of bettor will also frequently switch back and forth between the under and the over, depending on which strategy seems to be working at any given time. Sometimes, it’s better to bet on the under (when you’re the underdog), and sometimes, it’s better to bet on the over (when you’re the overwhelming favorite).
Manipulate The Line
If you’re a gambler who likes the thrill of taking on the under or the over in any given situation, then you can try your luck at manipulating the line. This is where you come in. If you find that certain circumstances favor one team or the other, then it’s your job to make sure that your team keeps getting the advantage. Naturally, you won’t always be able to do this, and you’ll sometimes have to take a gamble, but it’s worth it.
For example, if you’re in Oakland in the second half of September, and the Athletics are playing the Giants, and it’s the first game of a series, then the line will almost certainly be close to even. If you’re an Athletics fan, and you want your boys to keep the series close, then it’s worth taking the under, since you’ll have the advantage of playing in an away stadium. But, if you want to guarantee yourself a victory, then it’s better to bet on the over. In this case, you’ll need to be clever, and make sure that the Giants don’t cover the spread. The key is to keep an eye on the money line. If you see that the money line is beginning to trend in your favor, then you can raise your bet, and try to push the line in the opposite direction. This is all part of the fun, but it’s also important to keep in mind that you’re ultimately playing against the bookmaker’s odds.
Baseball is a lot of fun, and it’s easy to get excited about. But, at the same time, you have to remain realistic. Just because it’s fun, doesn’t mean it’s profitable. In betting, there’s always a catch. But there’s also always a chance for a big win. Just have fun, but make sure you’re not getting hurt.