What is First Five Inning Betting?

It is not unusual for MLB games to break in a completely different way once the bullpen becomes involved. The first five innings is a popular bet.This type of wager allows you to zero in on a specific segment of the game and place your wagers. Your slip will be graded solely based on the results of those innings. We’ll explain the F5 bet here, so you can add it to your baseball betting repertoire.

What are the first five innings of bets?

You can also wager on MLB games at licensed, regulated betting sites by placing a bet for the first five innings. This bet type can usually be found by clicking through each game listing.

The wager is based on the first five innings only. The goal of the bettors is to predict which side will win the game after the first five innings have been completed. This bet will not affect any outcome if anything happens after that point.

It also offers the option of a tie. Each choice will be associated with odds at the sportsbooks.

The Mets will be visiting the Cubs in this fictional matchup. The odds for standard MLB bets, such as totals, moneyline, and run line are listed next to each team. Chicago is projected to score eight runs on both the moneyline and run line.

Click the box to place one of these wagers. You can add the bet slip immediately. All you have to do is enter your bet amount, and confirm that it’s correct before hitting the submit button.

Odds on MLB F5 bets

The odds of winning the first five innings are similar to a moneyline wager. The Sportsbook lines will indicate a favorite or underdog. Tight ranges can indicate close matches and large discrepancies could point to a mismatch.

The odds for the first five innings are calculated based on the game’s early stages. Large favorites could have an even greater advantage. These bets are heavily influenced by the starting pitching matchup. Therefore, teams with an ace at the plate have a greater chance of winning.

Let’s take, for example, a fictional game in which Clayton Kershaw is sent by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the hill in order to meet the San Francisco Giants. Kevin Gausman, an excellent arm but not in Kershaw’s league, is lined up by the Giants to start. Here are the odds for the F5 wager.

San Francisco Giants +190
Los Angeles Dodgers -240

Here, the Dodgers are a big favorite. If the Giants take the lead after five games, the book will pay a substantial price. The numbers will change in response to betting activity after the initial release.

If more money is coming in to San Francisco, they could tighten further. A flood of bets on Los Angeles could lead to an even larger disparity. You can always shop around to find the best prices.

PointsBet might offer -250 to the Dodgers while BetRivers Sportbook could drop down to -220. In the opposite direction, the Giants would feel the same effect.

These ticks of difference can be easily noticed when you line shop.

How do you place your first five innings wager in Illinois?

It is easy to place wagers online at Illinois sportsbooks or betting apps. First, locate and select a matchup. The betting lobby will be updated with the upcoming games if you click on the MLB link at the casino.

While the default listing displays odds for the three most popular bet types, there are more options. You can click through the game listing to see other betting options. The first five innings of the bet will also be included on the list. These are the current odds for F5:

Boston Red Sox +155
New York Yankees -175

After you’ve made your decision, click on the box to confirm your selection. Click on the box with odds at -175. If you prefer the Yankees, click on it. Your betting slip will automatically insert the wager. Next, enter the wager amount and confirm that everything is fine before submitting the bet.

Rules for the first five innings of a bet

The rules for placing and settling bets at legal Illinois sportsbooks are specific. While many rules are common across the industry there might be exceptions. These are the key points to remember for your first five innings of betting.

  • Once the game starts, all bets will be live.
  • If the game is not completed within a reasonable time frame, such as 24 hours, it may be deemed null.
  • F5 bets where there is no option to place a bet on a tie will be considered a “push” and all bets will be refunded.
  • Official league data is used by sportsbooks to settle bets.

These rules will cover most of the things you should be aware of when betting F5 on. There may be an exception. These instances might be handled differently by sportsbooks, so it is a good idea for you to check their house rules.

MLB F5 bets vs. Moneyline bets

Arguments could be made that moneyline and first five innings bets can both be valid. The moneyline can provide greater value in certain spots while the first five inning bet reduces the impact of relievers.

A moneyline bet which looks like it is going in your favor could suddenly go against you if the bullpen explodes. If the ace you’re betting on loses, a MLB bet for the first five innings can turn against you.

There is no easy answer to the question of which bet type is better. Both types of bets can be integrated into a general MLB handicapping strategy. Before you place a wager, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each type. Sometimes, placing both bets may make sense.

Are there other MLB inning wagers you can make?

The F5 bet is a popular alternative to betting, but there are also other MLB options. You may also find markets for segments of the game in the “More Bets” section of a book.

  • Only the first inning
  • Three innings
  • First seven innings

Each one has its pros and cons. There is no way to say that one is better than the others. If you have a situation where they make sense, the first inning and first three innings bets can be considered solid options for teams that are on a hot streak of winning or who want to start games quickly.

If you are confident in the performance of both the starters or middle relievers, the first seven innings wager might work. You should weigh each side’s merits, just as you would when deciding between F5 or the moneyline. There may be games where it makes sense to make multiple wagers using innings bets.

MLB first five inning bet examples

Although the initial five-innings bet has been around for some time, its popularity has increased in recent years. This can be attributed to legal sports betting in the US and handicappers looking for edge opportunities.

Although the concept of the bet is straightforward, it doesn’t mean that the bets are easy to win. To handicap the first five innings of a bet and get comfortable with them, it takes practice. Here are some tips that you might find useful.

Let’s now look at some examples of the different types of bets. Let’s assume there is an interesting matchup between AL West and F5. The F5 odds look something like this:

Houston Astros -125
Oakland Athletics +105

For the first five innings, the Astros are slightly favorites. You win if you place a bet on this side, and they lead after five innings. They may have a lead as high as 3-2 or 10-1. It doesn’t really matter. Houston bettors can win as long as they are on top.

This bet is very unlikely, so it could be interpreted as a possible pitching duel. If the odds were much higher, it is possible to assume that the oddsmakers are seeing a mismatch on this hill. For example, take this example of an NL West match.

Arizona Diamondbacks +170
San Diego Padres -200

Here, the Padres are a big favorite. If you are confident in your intuitions and have a San Diego lead at five, you will be a winner. A Arizona lead after five would indicate that you are a loser.

Although the potential return should not be the only deciding factor in your F5 bets, it can have a significant impact on the overall appeal. While a big favorite might not yield a huge return, a large underdog may.

You can handicap a list of games and then scroll through the F5 offerings to make notes of the ones that stand out. You can then narrow down the contests that are most appealing to you and pick the best F5 offerings for the day. Here are some more handicapping tips.

Calculating the payouts for the first five innings of a bet

The odds will determine the payouts for the first five innings. This can be done in a number of ways, so let’s get started with quick math. The following formulae can be used to calculate returns depending on the odds.

Negative Odds – Bet Amount /(Odds/100 = Profit
Positive Odds * (Odds/100 = Profit)

You can also estimate your potential returns quickly. If the odds are not in your favor, it will tell you how much money you need to bet to make $100 profit. To win $100, you would need to bet $130.

If the odds are in your favor, this number will tell you how much profit you can make on a $100 winning bet. You’d get a $145 return on winning $100 bets if the odds are +145 for the first five innings.

Keep in mind that the sportsbooks may display potential returns on your wagers when you add them onto the slip and enter your bet amount. This tool can be used to explore the possibilities. However, you should exercise caution to ensure you don’t submit your wager before you are ready.

Online calculators for handicapping are available that you can use at no cost. To see the potential return, you can enter the odds and amount of your bet.

Handicapping first five innings bets

Although the popularity of first five innings bets continues to grow, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a quick money machine. Consistency takes patience, practice and perseverance, just like any other sport betting. These are some tips to help you get over the hump.

  • Completely Analyze the Matchup of the Starting Pitcher: The matchup of the starting pitcher is a key factor in F5 betting. As such, you will need to spend more time. It is important to look beyond the season-long statistics. For example, you might look at recent starts or past performance against the current opponent.
  • Spend more time on recent play: There are many peaks and valleys in the MLB season. You will strike at the right moment and avoid teams who are going through a tough time. The performance of the team over the past three games is a good indicator. This is especially important when trying to figure out which bats might get off to a quick start.
  • The Odds Board – Find Value: If there is a huge mismatch on the mound it will be visible on the odds board. Bettors on favorites won’t see much return. This doesn’t mean you should not bank profits, but you need to be open to finding better value opportunities that could potentially increase your bottom line.

A handicapping plan is a key to long-term success. But, there are other important things you should be aware of. To avoid making big mistakes, here are three things to remember:

  • You can take a pass as needed: It’s not necessary to place F5 bets on every matchup. Doing so could lead to disaster if it’s not your night. When looking through your daily schedule, identify the matchups that you feel are worth exploiting. You can take a break from the rest of the daily schedule and concentrate your efforts on those games that you find most interesting.
  • You must stick to your budget: Your ultimate goal in sports betting is to make a profit. You need to be consistent in your approach, results and bankroll to get there. Set aside a budget that covers the amount you are willing to bet on each F5 wager. You should stick to your budget and not allow yourself to change stakes.
  • Learn to Get Over Your Losses. Losses are part of the sport betting game. Instead of dwelling on the setbacks and trying to win, you can learn from them and move forward. If you feel the situation isn’t right, it’s worth taking time to review your strategy and determining if there are any improvements.

Remember these five important points about the first five innings of your bet

MLB bettors continue to love the popularity of the first five innings bet. It is also known as the F5 bet. The goal of this bet is to predict which side will win at that point.

As with any other 2-sided bet, there are odds for both sides. You can shop at multiple sportsbooks to get the best price, although these numbers could change depending on your betting activity.

The matchup of the starting pitcher is a key factor in handicapping the first five innings. Because bullpens have a limited impact on the outcome, it is appealing.