What Do the +, -, and * Mean in Betting?

The meaning of the +, -, and * symbols in sports betting is frequently misunderstood, even by experienced bettors. When used in conjunction with baseball and other sports, these symbols can help you estimate the strength of a team or an individual batter’s at-bats. Keep reading for a better understanding of what the +, -, and * symbols mean in baseball betting.

The + And – Mean The Bet Is Undefined

When you’re accustomed to using these symbols in sports betting, it can be easy to assume they have some predetermined meaning. For example, you might think that a bet on the + (you know, the plus sign) means you think the team will win by a large margin. But just because the sportsbooks define the meaning of these symbols in general doesn’t mean you have to accept it. That’s a common misconception. The meaning of these symbols can vary from one bet to the next, and it all depends on the context of the particular bet you’re making.

The * Means The Batter’s Power Is Established

When you see the * symbol in sports betting, it usually indicates the power level of the batter. When a batter gets a hit, you’ll sometimes see the * symbol pop up in the strike zone. You know, that little box the umpires stand in when they’re calling balls and strikes. Get a hit and the * will go away, but it usually doesn’t disappear until the batter faces half of the lineup. That’s because when a batter gets a hit, his at-bats in that series become relatively more important than those from previous series. Suddenly, the power of individual at-bats becomes more meaningful. It’s helpful to think of the * symbol in this manner: when a batter gets a hit, the power of his subsequent at-bats increase by 20%.

What Is The Difference In The Meaning Of The + And – Symbols?

You’ll notice the difference in the meaning of the + and – symbols when you use them in combination with other symbols to form equi- or complex bets. For example, take the +300 Superbook offer on the 2017 World Series. It’s fairly simple to understand, as there are only three ways the Series can end in a win, no-score draw, or forfeit. What’s more, the money you put down will actually win you triple the amount you bet. That’s significant! But there’s also a trick to beating the +300 offer. If you have a pair of dice, you can roll them twice and earn a 50% bonus on your initial wager. The important thing to note here is that this bonus applies only to the initial wager. So if you get two sixes on your first roll of the dice, you’ll win SBD (straight blooded dollars) – the equivalent of $10,000 in cash. But if you get two sixes on your second roll, you’ll still win the same $10,000, but you won’t be able to collect the 50% bonus. Why? Because the bonus is only applied to the first six of any kind that you make. Once you start getting reets (rolled evens), the * will appear on the board and you’ll no longer be able to get the 50% bonus. Keep this in mind when making your bets. If you’re using a mouse to place your bets, you might want to consider using the shift button to make multiple bets. This can help you avoid any situations where the * symbol might unexpectedly appear on the board and ruin your bonus.

When Do The + And – Symbols Appear On the Board?

The + and – symbols don’t appear on the board right away when you make a wager. Instead, they appear when there’s an update to the wager. For instance, if you place a wager on a baseball game and the score is 4-3, but you don’t see the ball hit the infield, you’ll know there’s been an update because a yellow mark (the +) or an red flag (the -) will appear next to your bet. In most cases, you’ll need to wait a few minutes for updates to show up on the board. But sometimes, updates can take a while to register, especially if the book is heavily trafficked or there’s a major sports event on TV. So be patient and keep watching the board. You’ll eventually see your updated wager registered as either a win or a loss. But even when your wager is registered as a win, there’s usually some randomness to it. This is because human error sometimes creeps into the system and the bookmakers want to make sure they don’t get sued by customers. Even when the book is fully automated, there are still ways for things to go awry. Sometimes a team will get a bad call and end up losing even when they should’ve won. In these situations, the bookmakers will often fix the record to make sure the game doesn’t affect their odds.

When you’re placing bets on sports, it’s helpful to keep in mind the power of each at-bat, inning, and half-inning. Then you can place money down on the sure things and let the games work themselves out. Sometimes you can get some very high-risk, high-reward bets, but these usually involve one of three things: a long-shot chance at winning a big prize, a player you believe in, or a team that you think is undervalued by the bookmakers. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash in a short amount of time, you could try placing bets on random NCAAB football games where you’re guaranteed to win some money. Just make sure you’re aware of the risks before you dive into this type of betting strategy.