Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced sports better, it can be tricky to navigate the nuances of official betting. It’s especially important to understand the differences between the different wagering types, as well as how certain rules and terms apply to each one.
For the most part, there are a few basic guidelines that you should keep in mind when betting on any sport. These guidelines can help you avoid some common pitfalls and ensure that you are placing wagers on the right types of games.
The following are some of the most commonly used betting types and their respective rules and terms:
Player Props – All wagers have action once the game is officially determined, regardless of whether the team the wager is on plays or not in the actual game. For regular season Player Props, the opening day team must play at least 98% of their scheduled regular season games (using the schedule from opening day) for the wager to have action unless the result is unequivocally determined in fewer games.
Money Lines – For money lines to have action, the game must be official on the total (moneyline) at the end of five innings or if the home team is ahead after 4.5 innings. Similarly, bets on runlines, team totals and over/unders don’t have action until the game is completed at least nine innings or 8.5 if the home team is ahead for Player Prop purposes.