Baseball Rules Guide
These rules are intended as a general educational guide. Sportsbooks may apply their own house rules, so always confirm the posted market terms before placing a wager.
- Baseball wagers are generally action regardless of starting pitcher changes unless a listed-pitcher market is specifically offered.
- This can apply to moneylines, totals, run lines, first-five markets, team totals and props.
- Always confirm whether a market is action pitchers or listed pitchers before betting.
- The game must usually go at least five innings, or four and a half innings if the home team is leading, for moneyline action.
- Extra innings count toward moneyline wagers.
- If a game is called, settlement is determined by official score and house rules.
- Run line wagers usually require nine innings, or eight and a half innings if the home team is leading.
- Extra innings count toward run line wagers.
- The favorite must cover the posted run line; the underdog can win outright or stay within the posted number.
- Totals usually require nine innings, or eight and a half innings if the home team is leading.
- Extra innings count toward totals.
- Suspended or shortened-game settlement follows posted house rules.
- First-five moneyline wagers require five completed innings, or four and a half if the home team is leading.
- First-five run lines and totals generally require five full innings.
- First-five wagers are commonly action pitchers unless otherwise stated.
- Game and team props involving statistical totals require the game to be official unless the outcome has already been determined.
- Player props may require the player to start or appear, depending on the prop.
- Extra innings count unless the market states otherwise.
- Season win totals may require a minimum number of games played.
- League pennant winners are determined by the teams representing each league in the championship series.
- Futures are graded at the end of the designated event.