Famous baseball coach Leo Ernest Durocher famously said, “Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand. ” If you are relatively new to baseball and baseball betting, then you should understand the Run Line bet.
The Run Line is a very popular baseball bet around the world. In this post, we will explore more about the Run Line bet, how it works, how it compares to other popular baseball bets, some solid strategies to follow for Run Line bets, and lastly, some of the common misconceptions and frequently asked questions about this form of wager.
What is a Run Line in Baseball Betting?
A run line bet in baseball is similar to a handicap or point spread bet.
Each of the two teams is assessed in a baseball fixture, and a bookmaker will make one team the favourite and the other the underdog.
A handicap, a minus number of runs, is then applied to the favourite in the fixture. Another handicap, in the form of a positive number of runs, is applied to the underdog.
In standard Run Line betting, the handicap for each team is set at -1.5 runs for the favourite and +1.5 runs for the underdog.
The game is then played, and based on which of the two teams you have backed, you take the game’s final score and then apply the handicap for your chosen team to their score to see how it affects the result.
How does the Run Line bet work?
It is very simple to understand how the Run Line bet works in baseball betting.
For a typical Run Line bet, If you back the favourites to win, with a -1.5 run handicap applied to their total, the favourites must win by two clear runs for their bet to win.
Alternatively, the bettor can back the underdog to win with a +1.5 run handicap applied to their score. That means any winning result for the underdog, or a defeat by just one run, would mean their bet is a winner.
Example 1:
A punter places a Run Line bet on the favourites, Los Angeles Dodgers, to beat the underdog Chicago Cubs with a -1.5 run handicap (sometimes called ‘spread’) on the Dodgers.
- If the Dodgers win by two runs or more, regardless of the score, then the bet is a winner.
- If the Dodgers lose the game then the bet is a loser.
- However, if the Dodgers win the game by just one run, when the -1.5 run handicap is applied to their score, it means that they would lose the game. As such, this bet would be a loser despite the Dodgers winning.
Example 2:
However, if the punter had chosen to back the Chicago Cubs with a +1.5 spread. Then these are the potential outcomes for that bet.
- If the Cubs win by any score, then the bet is a winner.
- If the Dodgers win by two runs or more then the bet is a loser.
- But if the Dodgers win by just one run, with the +1.5 handicap applied to the Cubs score, that would mean that the bet is now a winner.
Alternate Run Line Bets
Bookmakers will also offer different handicap amounts for each team depending on the difference in perceived quality and ability of the two competing teams.These are alternate run line bets.
For example, a much stronger team playing a far weaker opponent would attract an alternate run line minus handicap for the favourite (such as -2.5) and a higher handicap for the underdog (+2.5).
The aim of the spread or handicap applied to a team is to make both options in a match equally appealing to punters, especially when one team is expected to be considerably better than the opponent.
In this case, alternate run line betting can even out even the most lop-sided of contests, allowing for better value betting on the favourite, and an increased chance of a win bet on the underdog.
Run Line vs. Moneyline bets
The difference between Run Line bets and Moneyline bets is that Run Line bets include a handicap, which evens out the odds of the two potential selections for the game-winner market.
Moneyline bets are not handicapped, which means that bookmakers simply offer straight odds on each team to win the game.
As such, there tends to be a far greater difference in odds between some Moneyline bets compared to run line bets.
Moneyline bets can offer good value for money when you feel that there is a good chance of an underdog victory, or when both teams are very evenly matched.
However, in baseball games where one team is considerably stronger/weaker than their opponent, the Run Line option tends to offer punters far better value.
Betting Strategies for the Run Line bet.
- Research a baseball team’s past results. How often do they cover the spread in their games?
- Check your MLB betting sites’ rules regarding a game affected by rain.
- If a starting pitcher is changed after you have made a Run Line bet, then your stake will be refunded. You may need to redo your bet with the new starter in place.
- Run Line prices for very evenly matched teams can be very good value for punters. The spread applied to each team here can significantly affect which of the two evenly priced options to back.
FAQs and Misconceptions
Are There Any Other Run Line Bets Available?
Yes, some bookmakers will offer Reverse Runlines (when the favourite is given a plus handicap and the underdog a minus handicap), which drastically increases the odds on the underdog and shortens the price on the favourite. Another option is First Five Runlines, which are based on the first five innings of a baseball game.
Is It Easier To Win Run Line Bets?
No, nothing in sports betting is easy! What is correct though is that Run Line betting makes it possible to bet on ther underdog team more often, due to the point spread applied in the game making the favourite a less appealing option.
