Baseball Rules

Date/Site Changes

Regular season Baseball games must be played on the scheduled date/location (location is a geographical area or city, but not restricted to a specific arena or venue) to be considered action unless otherwise noted in the specific sports rules section or the inventory game page within the mobile application, web browser application, or on printed media in the Sportsbook.

If a game has been suspended after the game has started, due to a weather delay or other deferral, and resumes within 36 hours after the original start time, all wagers will stand. If a suspended game resumes more than 36 hours after the original start time, and the requirements for Minimum Length of Play have not been satisfied, all wagers will be cancelled except for those that have been unconditionally determined prior to the game’s suspension.

Minimum Length of Play

For wagering purposes, unless otherwise stipulated in individual Baseball sports wager rules, wagers on baseball money lines are official after 5 innings of play. If the home team is leading, the game is official after 4 ½ innings (this will include softball). Thereafter, if a game is called or suspended for more than 36 hours, the winner is determined by the score after the last full inning, unless the home team scores to tie or take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, in which case the winner is determined by the score at the time the game is called.

For games scheduled to play a full 9 innings, game must go to 9 innings (8 ½ if the home team is ahead) to have action on run lines and totals. For games scheduled to play only 7 innings, game must go to 7 innings (6 ½ if the home team is ahead) to have action on run lines and totals.

Live (In-Play) Wagers: Game must go full scheduled length to have action on all markets: 9 innings (8 ½ if the home team is ahead) for 9 inning games, or to 7 innings (6 ½ if the home team is ahead) for 7 inning games. If the game is called before this time then all bets will be cancelled, except for those that have been unconditionally determined.

In specified inning wagers, game must go to full specified innings to be official, unless the home team is leading the bottom half of specified inning prior to completion of specified innings(s). For money line, totals, and run lines, game must go the full specified innings.

All baseball propositions are considered action regardless of any pitching changes.

Baseball Wager Types

Patrons should be aware of the following wager types when placing wager types on baseball – action, one specified pitcher and listed pitchers. Patrons may choose either of these options when placing wagers on the money line. Wagers placed on run lines and totals require listed pitchers to start for action.

  1. Action – this wager type puts team against team, regardless of the starting pitcher.
    1. If either team’s scheduled starting pitcher changes (and does not start the game) after a wager is placed, the wager will stand at the opening price of the adjusted line.
    2. College and Softball wagers are action regardless of wager type.
  2. One Specified Pitcher – A wager on or against one specified pitcher, regardless of the other starting pitcher.
    1. Specified pitcher must start, or wager is deemed “no action” and wager is cancelled.
    2. If the opposing pitcher does not start, the wager stands at the opening price of the adjusted line.
  3. Listed Pitchers – A wager that specifies both starting pitchers. Any variation constitutes “no action” and wager is cancelled.
  4. For wagering purposes, each team’s Starting Pitcher is defined as the pitcher who throws the initial pitch in his respective half of the first inning. Any subsequent change in pitcher is irrelevant to any standing wager.

Pre-Game Baseball Wager Rules

Baseball wagers are accepted in the following manner:

  1. Total Runs (Over/Under) – A wager on whether the total number of runs scored in a game is over or under a specified number.
    1. Extra innings are counted in final score.
    2. Wager must meet the minimum length of play as specified above.
  2. Run Line – A wager in which the bettor “takes” or “lays” a specified number of runs. The team wagered must “cover” the run line for the wager to be deemed a winner.
    1. Extra innings are counted in final score.
    2. Wager must meet the minimum length of play as specified above.
  3. Money Line – A wager in which the bettor “takes” or “lays” a specified price. The team wagered must only win the game for the wager to be deemed a winner.
    1. Extra innings are counted in final score.
    2. Money line wagers may be made as Action, One Specified Pitcher and Listed Pitchers subject to the rules above.
    3. Wager must meet the minimum length of play as specified above.
  4. Team to score first - Settled on the first score of the game.
    1. Bets stand even if game is not completed. Extra Innings count.
  5. Team to score last - Settled on the last team to score.
    1. Game must go 8 ½ innings for bets to stand in 9 inning games, or 6 ½ innings in 7 inning games for bets to stand.
  6. Highest Scoring Inning - Bet on which inning will produce the most runs.
    1. Dead heat rules apply.
    2. Game must go 8 ½ innings for bets to stand in 9 inning games, or 6 ½ innings in 7 inning games for bets to stand.
  7. First 1/3/5/7 Inning Markets
    1. Specified number of innings must be completed for bets to stand.
  8. Race to x runs - Winner being the team who reaches the specified points tally first.
    1. Should neither team reach the total, and a ‘Neither’ option is not offered, then bets on that market will be cancelled.

Baseball Proposition Rules

Various unique wagers may be offered from time to time. When wagering proposition bets, the game must go 9 innings (8 ½ innings if the home team is ahead) to have action, or action has occurred as the outcome of the wager is already known. If a game is suspended after 9 innings the final score is determined after the last full inning, unless the home team scores to tie or take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, in which case the score is determined by the score at the time the game is called. For the above, if a game is scheduled for only 7 innings, then game must go 7 innings (6 ½ if the home team is ahead).

All baseball propositions are considered action regardless of any pitching changes.

Baseball Player Propositions

Players that are the subject of a player proposition wager must start for the wager to have action. Specifically, wagers on a position player’s performance will be considered action once the player has a had a plate appearance. Further, wagers on a pitcher’s performance will be considered action once that pitcher has thrown a pitch for their team. For any player v. player propositions, both players must start the game and have an official appearance as set forth above for the wager to have action. Further, these player v. player wagers will be deemed official once at least one of the players has left the game, regardless of the ultimate outcome and/or completion of the game. Except as specified above, all games must be played and considered an official game by MLB for bets to have action. MLB games are subject to weather postponements, where a game can start and then be stopped due to inclement weather and then moved to another date. BetMGM will cancel all player proposition wagers when a game is postponed in this manner. However, BetMGM will not cancel player proposition wagers that have been unconditionally determined at the time of the postponement. 

For MLB in-play props, BetMGM will cancel wagers if a bet is placed on a market for a player who is subsequently taken out of the game before they are able to accrue more stats. For a wager on a batting market for position player, this would be where the player does not make a subsequent plate appearance after the bet was placed. For a wager on a pitching market for a pitcher (or a batting market for a pitcher in the case of National League pitchers), this would be where the pitcher does not throw another pitch after the bet was placed.

Hit(s): The Sportsbook settles markets in accordance with official box score statistics declared by MLB as the governing body.

Baseball Regular Season Series Propositions

Regular season series propositions are offered for all 3, 4 or 5 Game Series with the outcome of all games played counting towards settlement. Series must go minimal 3 games for action regardless of games scheduled and/or canceled. A called game will count towards a series wager if declared an official game by the league. All wagers are action regardless of Starting Pitchers or pitcher changes.

Baseball Playoff Series Propositions

For Playoff Series Winner propositions, the team that advances to the next round is deemed the winner. Wagers for all other markets are cancelled if the required minimum number of games (according to the respective governing organizations) are not completed, or the number of games changes.

Baseball Post Season Rule

All MLB playoff games will have action regardless of date played and/or completed, unless specified otherwise. Game winner will be paid based on the official winner of this game as determined by MLB. All listed pitchers’ rules apply.

Baseball Grand Salami Propositions

Grand Salami proposition is determined by the total runs scored in all MLB games scheduled for that day. There are no listed pitchers, so all bets are action. Wager applies to all scheduled games and games must go 9 innings (8 ½ if home team is leading). If any game is cancelled or stopped before the completion of 8 ½ innings, all wagers on the Grand Salami will be cancelled. Grand Salami will not be offered when 7 inning games are scheduled.

Home Run Derby Markets

Calculation of total home runs for Home Run Derby wagers includes home runs achieved during swing-offs.

College World Series

Games must be played on scheduled date for action. All teams face double elimination. Teams listed second do not necessarily bat last.

Baseball Futures

Baseball season long futures are unique wagers that will be offered from time-to-time. For all season long and future propositions, all wagers stand regardless of team re-location, change to a team name, season length or play-off format, unless stated otherwise in the market. For awards, the official decision made by the governing body on the day the award winner is announced will be final. Any subsequent changes at a later date will not count for betting purposes.

Baseball Championship and Pennant Futures

If there is a change to the post-season structure, whereby a Championship Series is not possible, or called early, Pennant betting will be settled on the team that advances to the World Series from that league.

Baseball Futures List

Regular Season Team Total Wins O/U

Wager on the total regular season wins made by a team.

Regular Season Team Win Percentage

Wager on the percentage of wins by a team during the regular season.

Head to Head Regular Season Team Wins

Wager on the number of regular seasons wins made by one team vs. another team.

Regular Season Player Totals O/U

Wager on the number of regular season Total Home Runs, Runs, Hits, Stolen Bases, Strikeouts, Saves by a named player.

Regular Season Player Averages

Wager on the average number of regular season Total Home Runs, Runs, Hits, Stolen Bases, Strikeouts, Saves by a named player. To qualify for hitting propositions, a player must have at least 3.1 plate appearances per game.

Division of Winning Team

Wager on which division the winner originates from.

League of Winning Team

Wager on which league (American League or National League) the winner originates from.

State of Winning Team

Wager on which state the winner originates from.

Name the Finalists

Wager on which two teams will meet in the Championship Series. Should no series take place, all bets are cancelled.

Exact Outcome

Wager on which team will win, and who will they beat in the named series. Should no series take place, all bets are cancelled.

#1 Seed

Wager on which team will be the #1 seed in a specified league (American League or National League) at the end of the regular season.

To Win/Lose 100+ Games

Wager on whether a named team will win or lose 100 or more regular season games.

Double Chance

Wager on whether either of the two named teams will be declared the winner for the named market.

Playoff Series Props

Series Winner

Wager on which team will advance to the next round. Should no series take place, bets will be cancelled.

Series Correct Score

Wager on the exact score of games within the series. Should the series be shortened from its original length, then bets would be cancelled.

Total Games

Wager on how many games will take place in the series.

MLB Divisional Odds

Wager on which team will win an MLB division.

MLB Divisional Finishing Position

Wager on the exact position a named team will finish within their division.

MLB Pennant Odds

Wager on which team will win the pennant in either the American League or National League of MLB.

MLB World Series Odds

Wager on which team will win the World Series.

MLB Cy Young Winner

Wager on which pitcher wins the Cy Young Award in either the American League or National League of MLB.

MLB MVP Winner

Wager on which player will win the MVP award in either the American League or National League of MLB.

MLB Regular Season Wins

Wager on the number of regular season wins by a listed team in MLB.

Head to Head Regular Season Wins

Wager on the number of regular seasons wins made by one team vs. another team.

Most Home Runs Hit

Wager on which player hits the greatest number of home runs in the regular season.

Highest Season Long Batting Average

Wager on the highest season long batting average by a particular player as declared by MLB.

Most RBI’s in Season

Wager on which player has the most Runs Batted In during the regular season.

Most Pitching Victories

Wager on which player is awarded the most wins during the regular season.

NCAA World Series Winner

Wager on which team will win the College World Series.

MLB Rookie of the Year Winner

Wager on which player will win the Rookie of the Year award in either the American League or National League of MLB.

Most Stolen Bases in Season

Wager on which player has the most Stolen Bases during the regular season.

Live (In-Play) Baseball Rules

If a match is interrupted or cancelled and won’t be continued on the same day, all undecided markets are considered cancelled.

Moneyline – Winner (Away, Home)

Game – Includes extra innings

H1 – Only runs scored in the first 5 innings are considered

Total – Total Runs scored by both teams (Over, Under)

Game – Includes extra innings

H1 – Only runs scored in the first 5 innings are considered

Inning – Only runs scored in the specific inning are considered

Point Spread – Winner With handicap in .5 increments (Away, Home)

Game – Include Overtime

H1 – Only runs scored in first five innings considered

Three Way – Outcome (Away, Home, Tied)

Reg – Which team will win the game, no extra innings considered

H1 – Which team will lead after 5 innings

Inning – Which team wins the specific inning

Win Rest

Which team will win the rest of the game, including overtime

Away Total – Total runs scored by away team (Over, Under)

Game – Total runs scored in the game

H1 – Only runs scored in first five innings are considered

Home Total – Total runs scored by home team (Over, Under)

Game – Total runs scored in the game

H1 – Only runs scored in first five innings are considered

Win Margin – Predefined range of runs a team wins by (Away 3+, 2, 1; Home 3+, 2, 1)

Game – Includes overtime