Runline Calculator

Reviewed by: David Chen, CFA | Last Updated: October 2023

Use this Runline Calculator to instantly determine your potential payout and profit when betting on baseball runlines. Enter your wager amount and the American odds to see the exact return.

Runline Calculator

Please enter valid odds (e.g., -110, +200).

Please enter a valid wager amount.

Calculation Details:

Enter values to see the steps.

Runline Calculator Formula

The formula for calculating the runline payout depends on whether the American odds are positive (+) or negative (-).

For Negative Odds (-):
Profit = Wager / (Odds / 100)

For Positive Odds (+):
Profit = Wager * (Odds / 100)

Total Payout = Wager + Profit

Source: Wikipedia – Fixed-odds betting

Variables

• Runline Odds: The price assigned to the spread (usually 1.5 runs in baseball). American odds indicate how much you must bet to win $100 (negative) or how much you win on a $100 bet (positive).
• Wager Amount: The total amount of money placed at risk on the bet.
• Total Profit: The net earnings from a winning bet, excluding the original stake.
• Total Payout: The sum of the original wager plus the profit returned to the bettor.

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What is a Runline Calculator?

A runline calculator is an essential tool for baseball bettors (MLB) that helps determine the potential return on investment for runline bets. Unlike a simple win/loss bet (moneyline), a runline bet involves a point spread, typically set at 1.5 runs. This means the favorite must win by 2 or more runs, while the underdog can lose by 1 run or win outright.

Because the runline shifts the probability of winning, the payout odds differ significantly from the standard moneyline. This calculator simplifies the math, allowing bettors to quickly compare value across different sportsbooks by instantly converting American odds into tangible profit and payout figures.

How to Calculate Runline Payout (Example)

Suppose you want to bet on the New York Yankees with a runline of -1.5. The odds offered are +130, and you want to wager $50.

1. Identify the Odds: The odds are positive (+130).
2. Apply the Formula: Since odds are positive, multiply the wager by the decimal version of the odds.
   $50 * (130 / 100) = $50 * 1.3
3. Calculate Profit: The result is $65 in profit.
4. Calculate Total Payout: Add the profit to the original wager.
   $50 (Wager) + $65 (Profit) = $115 Total Payout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does -1.5 mean on the runline?

A -1.5 runline means the team is favored to win by at least 2 runs. If they win by only 1 run, the bet loses.

Why are runline odds different from moneyline odds?

Runline odds account for the handicap applied to the score. A favorite might be -200 on the moneyline but +110 on the -1.5 runline because winning by multiple runs is harder.

Can runline odds be negative?

Yes. If a team is a massive favorite, even their -1.5 runline might have negative odds (e.g., -110), meaning you must bet more to win $100.

Is the payout calculated differently for +1.5 runlines?

The math depends on the *odds* attached to the runline (e.g., -130 or +110), not the runline number itself (+1.5 or -1.5). The calculator handles both positive and negative odds automatically.