MLB House Rules Comparison
Key Takeaways
Warning
This guide does not cover all the house rules that can impact your MLB bets. Here are some that are not covered. There may be others.
- Weather delays/postponements
- Shortened games
- Batter prop: opposing pitcher change
- Same Game Parlays (SPG) may be treated differently than straight bets. This guide is only designed for straight bets.
Some sportsbook's house rules mention both action and listed pitcher, but they may not offer both markets. Be sure you understand which market you select, and the specific house rules for that market.
Introduction
The comparison tables below are a high-level starting point on how different sportsbooks may handle different MLB markets. Refer to the sportsbooks’ house rules to be certain. You can lower your risk by hedging your bet and choosing a hedge sportsbook with similar house rules as your primary sportsbook.
Please contact us at support@darkhorseodds.com if you notice any errors or discrepancies.
Read these guides first:
The term “pitching change” in this guide means a change to the listed starting pitcher before the game.
Pitching Changes: Money Line, Run Line and Totals
This table shows what happens to an already-placed Action bet on the money line, run line, total or an alt line when there is a pitching change. For each sportsbook it shows whether the odds change and whether a run line or total bet stays Action.
What the values mean
ML Odds Change and Run/Total Odds Change:
- No: House rules state that the odds will not change.
- Yes: House rules state that the odds will change.
- May Change: House rules state that the odds may change.
- May Void: The bet may be voided.
- Does Not Specify: House rules do not say. Seems to imply that the odds will not change.
- N/A: The bet is No Action (void), so there are no odds to change.
Run/Total Action:
- Yes: House rules state that the bet is Action (will not void).
- No: House rules state that the bet is No Action (void).
- Unclear: House rules void the bet if there is a pitching change, but an Action bet has no Listed Pitchers, so the rule might not apply.
- Appears To Be Action: House rules state the listed pitcher must start, but the bet slip typically shows “Action”.
- Does Not Specify: House rules do not state what happens if there is a change to the starting pitcher.
Not Offered in any column: Action bets do not appear to be offered, only Listed Pitcher.
Player Props
This table lists how different sportsbooks treat different player prop bets. This is not an exhaustive list of house rules that affect player props.
What the values mean
- Must Start: The player must start. For a batter, it is unclear whether the bet is Action if he starts but never has a plate appearance.
- Start and One Pitch or Start And Plate Appearance: The player must start and throw one pitch or make one plate appearance.
- Must Throw One Pitch or One Plate Appearance: One pitch or one plate appearance is enough. The player does not need to start.
- Must Play An Active Role or Must Participate: Not clearly defined. A pitcher is assumed to need one pitch. For a batter who plays defense but never bats, it is unclear.
- All Props Are Action: The bet stands even if the player does not play.
- Fair Price: Prediction markets do not void. If the player does not play, the contract settles at a price the exchange sets.
- Does Not Specify: House rules do not state when a player prop is Action.
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