The runline is the “numbers game” in baseball betting. Rather than focusing on a single statistic, such as home runs or RBIs, the runline takes into account multiple factors, such as batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. As a result, the runline is more accurate and less susceptible to random variance than traditional single-statistic betting models.
Also known as “line rating,” the runline (plural: runlines) is typically expressed as one of two formats:
- Odds on the Runline
- The Runline
Here’s how those odds work: Say your bookie offers odds of 6.0 on the Yankees to win the World Series. That means if you bet $100 on the Yankees, you’ll win $600 (60 x $100). Of course, you might also lose $400 (40 x $100). So, in this case, you’d lose $200 on the World Series bet. That’s a total loss of $400 ($200 plus $200).
The two sides of the wager, along with the payout structure, are shown below. For a runline, the payout odds work the same way; you win if the runline is selected and you lose if it’s not.
As you can see, the payout odds for the World Series match the payout odds for the runline. That’s because the runline takes into account the strength of both teams. For example, if the Cubs are heavy favorites in a given series (say, three to one odds), but the Yankees are much stronger overall (say, two to one odds), the runline will take that into account and offer you greater odds to win.
In general, if you believe in the power of advanced statistics and want to bet on baseball with a strategy that’s rooted in fact rather than opinion, the runline is a good choice.
How Do I Bet On Baseball With The Runline?
If you want to bet on baseball with the runline, you’ll need to first decide which sport you want to bet on. Some people prefer to bet on the totals (runs plus hits plus errors plus strikeouts), but there are pros and cons to each method. For example, running totals allow for more opportunities to win because there’s more action and more frequent payouts. However, betting on the runline offers the advantage of being able to compare teams side-by-side, which highlights individual player contribution rather than just group effort.
Baseball books will typically include multiple runlines for each individual game, and it’s your decision which one to follow. If you do decide to use the runline, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have enough money to meet your wagering requirement
- Check the rules and regulations of your local bookie regarding wagering
- Look into the history of the sport you’re betting on (baseball is a sport that has a very rich history)
- Baseball is a seasonal sport, so you might want to check the schedules of the teams you’re following (especially if you’re following multiple teams)
- Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose (including tax-related penalties)
Why Should I Bet On The Runs Plus Hits In Each Series?
Whether you bet on the totals or the runs plus hits, there’s a right and wrong way to bet on baseball. If you want to use the runs plus hits method, you need to decide how much you’re willing to wager on each series. For example, if you decide to bet on the A’s to win the World Series, but only want to wager $10 on each series, you’re better off choosing the World Series total payout rather than running a separate total for each series. That’s because the World Series has a much larger pool of participants and more frequent action – which leads to greater revenue and overall profit for the house. When you use the total method, each individual game has a built-in advantage because there’s more betting action and there are more people involved in the game. In the long run, that means you’ll hit the jackpot more often when you use the totals.
On the other hand, if your goal is to win small-stakes games, you might want to choose the runs plus hits method and wager $2 on each game. That way, you minimize your risk and increase your chances of winning. Another great thing about this method is that, since it takes into account both offense and defense, it’s more reliable than simply focusing on one or the other (say, just on offense or defense). You get the best of both worlds when you use the runs plus hits method: the offense of the team you support combined with the defense of the team your bookie opposes. That makes for a more even playing field and a higher percentage of winners.
As we’ve established, choosing the runs plus hits method comes with its perks, but it also means you have to be more careful. If you want to maximize your earnings while minimizing your risk, you might want to consider using a strategy that takes into account all offensive and defensive statistics, rather than just focusing on one side of the ball or the other. The runline is a good choice for people looking to minimize their risk while maximizing their winnings. And, as we’ve discussed, the runline is more accurate than many other methods, which helps to minimize any mistakes you might make when choosing a sport to bet on and a strategy to use.
What Is The Appeal Of Baseball Automatics?
Many people enjoy the simplicity of simply selecting a team and waiting for the numbers to come in. Rather than having to think about which team to bet on, or whether to choose an offensive or defensive stat to focus on, the appeal of baseball automatics is that simple. While the results may be the same as if you followed all the rules and regulations we listed above, the simplicity is appealing.
As a result, many people choose to use automated methods when betting on baseball. Instead of having to guess which team is going to win each game, you might instead choose to pick teams based on their overall performance rather than relying on any one stat to determine the outcome of a game. That way, you can limit your mistakes and maximize your winnings.
One great thing about baseball automatics is that many sports books offer them as an option rather than just as a choice, which means you might find them available when you want to bet on baseball. Rather than simply choosing one option or the other (say, between totals and the runline), you can select baseball automatics and let the computer do the figuring for you. That saves you both time and effort, and it also means you have a better chance of winning because the numbers are already done for you.
Where Can I Bet On Baseball?
In most cases, you’ll need to do a little bit of research before you can legally place a bet on baseball. In some states, such as Nevada, you won’t need to do anything special to place a bet on the game; it will be accepted everywhere. However, in other states, you’ll need to register with the state’s gaming agency; if you don’t, you’ll be violating the law. Some states, like Louisiana, even have regulations that specifically prohibit wagering on sporting events such as baseball.
In general, the best place to bet on baseball is Nevada. Not only is it legal to place a bet on the game there, but it’s also the most regulated of all the places where you can bet on sports. If you live in Nevada and want to bet on baseball, there are great odds available, which is half the battle; the remaining half is simply following the rules and regulations so you don’t get shut down by the authorities.
Another great option for those in the Western United States is California. Not only is it legal to bet on the game in that state, but it’s also pretty easy to do so. For those in the eastern United States looking to bet on baseball, New Jersey is another great place to do so. Like Nevada and California, New Jersey also has a great gambling scene and friendly gaming atmosphere. For those in the Midwest, there are a number of states where you can also wager on baseball, including but not limited to: Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.