Learn How to Bet on Sports, types of bets, Sports betting rules, Football Rules, Basketball Rules, Soccer Rules, racing betting and more Online Sports Betting. Scheduled System Downtime Monday Dec 14th 21h PST - Tuesday Dec 15th 09h PST. Our sportsbook rules state that management reserves the right to limit the maximum amount wagered prior to acceptance of any bet. Customers are not permitted to open multiple accounts in order to bypass the limits imposed by the system. All bets and accounts will be void if multiple accounts are used. Special Motorsport Rule: Races must be run within eight (8) days of the scheduled date for your bet to have action.All wagers on the Super Bowl stand even if the date. Sportsbook is your source for the best in sports betting entertainment. You'll find the widest variety of bets and odds in every sport imaginable including Major League Baseball, soccer, CFL football betting. For example, DraftKings Sportsbook has a dedicated section labeled “General Betting Rules,” while BetRivers Sportsbook a “Sportsbetting Rules” link in the page’s footer. The rules are there so that you know what to expect as a sports bettor.

1. Las Vegas Sportsbook Rules
2. Bovada Sportsbook Rules
3. Betfair Sportsbook Rules
4. Mybookie Sportsbook Rules

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Betting on sports can be intimidating. Thanks to our helpful guides, you already know where to bet, and how to read and understand lines and odds at your sportsbook. But before you dive into the world of sports betting, make sure you know what rules you have to follow at your sportsbook. We’ve been betting on sports since the early 2000s, and we know the ins and outs of how to lay a bet that counts.

In this article, we outline all the important information you should know before placing a bet at your sportsbook of choice. The last thing in the world you would want is to have not followed an easy rule, and miss out on your winnings!

Read on to learn more about when your bet becomes official, what procedural policies most sportsbooks follow, and standard terms and conditions of your bets.

Rest assured, these rules and policies are not complicated.

Sportsbooks are legitimate businesses, and they have to follow specific rules to stay successful in the market; these fair rules are ultimately designed to keep their customers happy.

Specific rules vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. So we’ve compiled a list of rules that will be in effect at whichever sportsbook you bet at.

The Fun Part: Odds and Lines

1. All prices and the odds attached to them are subject to change.

With so many lines on so many different events, sportsbooks make mistakes. It’s easy to forget, but regular ol’ bookmakers behind sports betting sites are humans after all. In the event of a clear error on the posted line, scheduled time, or max wager, any wagers will be voided and deemed a “no action” wager. All money will be credited accordingly. Bettors betting on a mistakenly lopsided line will have their money returned.

2. Games have to be played on the day they are scheduled.

Sportsbooks base their available odds on a particular set of factors. If a game is postponed or rescheduled for any reason, your sportsbook will have to recalculate their odds. This is because the circumstances affecting a winner or a loser of a game are likely to change.

3. All bets have to be placed and accepted before the commencement of the game or event that is being bet on.

Bets placed or received after the start of the game or event will be voided. This rule is relatively self-explanatory. If your bet somehow gets through after the game has started, your bet will be voided. Sportsbooks aspire to create a fair playing field for everyone.

4. You are generally restricted from betting on both the moneyline and the point spread of a particular game, both individually and within the same parlay.

Multiple bets are not accepted where the outcome of one part of the bet contributes to the outcome of another. These are called correlated plays. If sportsbooks allowed this, their exposure to any one event would be more significant than they want.

5. You are generally not allowed to bet on the point spread and the total of the same event.

See explanation above. Betting on correlated events is a no-no in the world of sports betting.

6. The outcomes of Major League Baseball games are usually determined official after 5 innings of play.

Sometimes, games are determined in 4½ innings if the home team is leading. If a game is subsequently called off or suspended mid-game, the winner is determined by the score that is listed after the last full inning. This is unique because NFL, NHL, and NBA games are not called off early, except in the case of emergency. In the rare fact that an NFL, NHL, or NBA game is incomplete or called off early, the result will more than likely be a “push.”

7. Generally, if you are betting on the “next” event, all wagers on that index will be no-actioned when the game is over.

If you are betting on the “next” event to take place, and the game ends, then your bet will be no-actioned. You will get your money back, and the bet is treated as a “push.”

8. If the odds for a bet have changed significantly between the time the bet is submitted and the time the bet is confirmed, your sportsbook will reject the bet.

If this happens, you will be asked to reconfirm the bet against the updated odds. The principle behind this is just like to the one we mentioned above, in regards to sportsbooks trying to create equal opportunities for all bettors. Sportsbooks do not want to see people exploiting technical loopholes. This rule only pertains to live betting.

The Nitty Gritty: Procedural Terms and Conditions

1. All clients are required to be 18 years of age.

This a legal requirement, from all sportsbooks.

2. Bets are able to be placed as soon as funds deposit successfully in members’ accounts.

As soon as your sportsbook has confirmed your funds, you’re ready to start betting!

3. Third-party deposits are largely prohibited.

This is self-explanatory. Sportsbooks do this to protect themselves from fraud or any potential legal action from third parties. If you are depositing, you will have to do so with funds that belong to you.

4. Verification/settlement before withdrawal.

In nearly every case, you will have to verify your identity before withdrawing funds from your sportsbook. Sportsbooks do this to make sure that money is going to the right person, and to protect themselves from any fraudulent activity.

5. All accounts are private and confidential.

Sportsbooks will not share any information about you or your history with a third party.

6. Sportsbooks will reserve the right to accept, limit, or refuse any wager.

If a sportsbook has a suspicion you are engaging in any fraudulent behavior, they have the right to block any betting-related activity.

7. Sportsbooks reserve the right to restrict the maximum wager before they agree to accept any bet.

Sportsbooks do this to mitigate their risk. The last thing they want to is to take on too many bets at once and be unable to pay out winners.

8. You can not bet more than what is in your account.

This is sports betting, not the stock market. You can’t bet on margin!

9. No wagers can be canceled once confirmed.

Once you’ve bet, you can’t withdraw it! For this reason, you should always make sure that you are 100% sure on what you’re betting on. However, sportsbooks will let you bet on the opposite side of an event to act as a hedge.

10. There will a maximum amount available to win on certain bets; sportsbooks will place limits.

In our experience, sportsbooks allow a maximum of $100,000 USD or equivalent winnings on any one event. This applies to any wager, including parlays and teasers.

11. It is your responsibility to report your transactions to the appropriate taxable jurisdiction.

Your sportsbook will do a lot for you, but it won’t pay your taxes. Sportsbooks cater to customers all over the world, so make sure you do your required diligence on what the legal rules and regulations are in your home country.

12. A sportsbook is not responsible for clients who disclose their password and account number to other parties.

Keep your account safe! Make sure to enable two-factor authentication, and keep your password and information in a safe place. After all, it is real money that is in your account.

13. Only one account is allowed per person, and multiple accounts will be voided.

It is a familiar refrain by now, but sportsbooks do this to protect themselves from fraud. They want to reduce their exposure to unfair bets, in order to be able to continue paying customers who are abiding by the rules.

Point Spread:
The point spread is the number of points that the favored team is expected to win by. For example, say the New York Knicks are favored to beat the LA Clippers by a point spread of 7. That means that if you pick the Knicks to win, they have to win by more than 7 points for you to win your bet. If they win by fewer than 7 points or lose the game, you lose your bet. If they win by exactly 7 points (the point spread), the result is a push or tie. That means that you don't win or lose, your original bet is refunded.
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Money Lines:
The difference between a pointspread bet and a moneyline bet is that there are no points involved. Instead, money odds are wagered on the favorite or underdog. There is a different moneyline total for either side on a money line bet, a negative side (the favorite) and a positive side (the underdog): Dallas -170 Washington +150 What this means is that Dallas is the favorite and for every $17 you bet on Dallas, you win $10 if they win. For every $10 you bet on Washington, the underdog, you win $15 if they win. By offering different odds for each team the sportsbook is able to balance action on both teams.

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Straight Bets:
A straight bet is the most common bet, where you pick a single side to win. A wager on one event whose outcome for wagering purposes shall be determined by a point spread or money odds. All straight and Total bets are 10/11 unless otherwise noted at the time of the wager.

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Totals (over/under):
A total wager is a bet on the number of points scored in the game by both teams combined. You can bet on whether the actual number of total points scored is over or under the line posted. The total points scored includes points scored in overtime. You can also bet whether the combined number of points or goals scored by the two teams in the game will be over or under the total set by the oddsmaker. For example, if the total is 32 and you believe that the combined points scored by the two teams will exceed that number, you would bet over 32.

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Parlays:
A parlay bet is a single wager involving multiple propositions. Two or more straight wagers can be tied together to form one wager. The bettor must chose the winner of each proposition in order to win the parlay. Payout odds increase as the number of included propositions increases. All teams must win by the listed point spread.

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Teasers: (Football and Basketball and Sides and Totals Only)
A teaser, like a parlay, involves multiple propositions. When betting a teaser additional points are either added to the underdog or subtracted from the favorite. Odds are changed in accordance to the number of points the spread is moved and the number of teams combined to form the teaser.

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If Bets:
If the first game wins, ties cancels or is suspended, etc., you have action on the remaining team or teams. An IF bet is a combination of 2 - 6 teams.

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Reverse Bets:
A reverse is a series of IF bets going both forward and in 'reverse' order.
Each team included in the Reverse will pair with another team to form two IF bets, one with that team first and another with that team as the second team in the IF.
Each bet in the reverse is an individual straight wager for the full amount of the reverse. Note: Each bet is for the same amount.
WIN REVERSE
IF win only (single action) .
ACTION REVERSE
IF win/tie/cancel (double action) condition.
Why use this bet
A reverse offers the advantage of a large payout without the risk of losing the bet if one team loses. For example, if you place a 3-team reverse for $110 your total risk will be $660. If all 3 teams win you win $1200 and if only 2 teams win you still win $160. This last example is under the assumption that all money lines were -110.
Reverse Rules:
- The Rules of IF bets apply
- The bet amount chosen for the Reverse is the same amount for each IF bet in the reverse (you risk the same amount for each IF bet created in the Reverse)
- The maximum win is determined by adding up the individual win amounts of each bet included in the reverse
- Number of selections allowed 3.
- You may buy points on each selection in the reverse up to a maximum of 2 points

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Props:
A proposition bet is a bet offered with conditions and odds determined by an oddsmaker. These bets are usually exotic bets like which quarterback will complete the most touchdown passes, which team will score the last points in a game, or which will complete the longest field goal. Odds change daily and all wagers are considered action at the odds quoted at the time of the wager.

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Futures:
Futures are a single wager on the outcome of an event that will be determined sometime in the future. For example, picking the winner of the NFL championship, the Stanley Cup, or the World Series.

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Buy Points:
Buy Points means that you can move the pointspread so that you give away less points with the favorite or get more points with the underdog, for both football and basketball.

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Round Robins:
Three (3) or more teams selected to make up a series of parlays. A Round Robin is a series of parlay-type wagers built from all possible groups of the specified round robin group size. The selections can be any combination of sides, over/unders, money lines, run lines, or puck lines.

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Winners and Losers are Official After...
Football (College-Pro).............. 55 minutes of Play
Basketball (Pro)...................... 43 minutes of Play
Basketball (College)................ 35 minutes of Play
Hockey (Pro).......................... 55 minutes of Play
Golf ...................................... 54 holes of Play

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BASEBALL
Baseball tickets will be marked as follows
The wagering on baseball is done by laying or taking money odds.
The minus (-) indicates the favorite
The plus (+) indicates the underdog

Player would lay $160 to win $100 or $16 to win $10 on the Indians. Player wagers $100 or $10 to win $15o win $15 on the White Sox.
On money odds whenever there is a minus (-) you lay that amount to win a dollar, where there is a plus (+) you get that amount for every dollar wagered.
BASEBALL WAGERS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
- ACTION. (any starting pitcher) Player is betting team vs. team regardless of starting pitchers.
- LISTED PITCHERS. (both specified pitchers) Wager is active only if the originally scheduled pitchers start the game and throws at least one pitch. IF STARTING PITCHERS ARE NOT EXACTLY AS LISTED ON WAGERING DISPLAY BOARD, AND/OR YOUR TICKET, YOUR WAGER WILL BE DEEMED 'NO ACTION'.

- TOTALS AND RUNLINES ARE ALWAYS LISTED PITCHERS.

- First halves baseball sides and totals are always listed pitchers
- SELECTION. (your teams selected pitcher) Player is wagering on his selected team and his team's originally scheduled pitcher, regardless of the pitcher for the opposing team.
- OPPOSING. (opposite teams selected pitcher) Player is wagering on his selected team regardless of his team's starting pitcher, as long as the originally scheduled pitcher starts the game for the opposing team.

BASEBALL WAGERING RULES

• Winners and losers are official after 5 innings of play. If the home team is leading, the game is official after 4 1/2 innings.

• If a game is called or suspended, the winner is determined by the score after the last full inning (unless the home team scores to tie, or takes 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). Money will be refunded if the home team ties the game and it is then suspended.

• When wagering on game totals and runlines the game must go 9 innings (8 1/2 if the home team is ahead) to have action.

• A pitcher is deemed a starting pitcher after throwing one pitch. The listed pitchers must start or there is 'no action'. Wagers on game totals and runlines will be refunded if a pitcher change occurs prior to both listed pitchers throwing at least one pitch.

• Rules for Run Line wagers are the same as those for baseball totals.

• If a game goes past nine full innings and is not completed (I.E. suspended, curfew, rain delay, etc) there will be action on total and runline wagers.

• Teams must play for there to be action, all wagers included, all leagues included.

• Events will not carry over to the following day (unless otherwise specified).

• When betting on 'mega runs,' all games that are covered must be declared official for action. Action continues on mega run bets regardless of starting pitchers.

• Las Vegas Rules apply for any rules not mentioned here.

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FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL
On straight bets, players lay $11 for every $10 player wishes to win.

The Cowboys are a 3 point favorite. Player would lay $110 to win $100 or $550 to win $500, on either team.
The point spread is always given with a negative number on the favorite and a positive number on the underdog. If a player wagers on the favorite, that team must win by more than the amount of the point spread. On all straight bets (except Parlays), if the favorite wins by the exact point spread the wager is a Push or 'No Action.'

The number to the right of the Bears is the total (over/under) number. Players can wager that the combined score of both teams will be either over or under this number. Overtime scores are counted in the score.
FOOTBALL WAGERING RULES

Las Vegas Sportsbook Rules

• Games lasting under 55 minutes constitute'No Action' or 'Push/Cancel' and all money is refunded.

• Wagering on the game period spread, moneyline, or total (over/under) include any overtime scoring.

• Half-time (2nd Half) wagering includes any overtime scores. Fourth Quarter wagering does NOT include overtime scores.

• When wagering action points on totals in college football, overtime is NOT included.

• NFL rules and regulations will apply to CFL unless otherwise stated.

• Las Vegas Rules apply for any rules not mentioned here.

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BASKETBALL WAGERING RULES

• Games lasting under official time constitute'No Action' or 'Push/Cancel' and all money is refunded.

• Wagering on the game period spread, moneyline, or total (over/under) include any overtime scoring.

• Half-time (2nd Half) wagering includes any overtime scores. Fourth Quarter wagering does NOT include overtime scores.

• Las Vegas Rules apply for any rules not mentioned here.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL OVERTIME PROCEDURE
College Football overtimes commence with a 1st & 10 play at the opponents 25-yard line. The offensive team keeps possession until they score, commit a turnover, or fail to convert on 4th down. Overtime continues until the score is no longer tied and each team has had an equal number of possessions.
ALL WAGERS ON THE SIDE & TOTAL WILL INCLUDE ALL OVERTIME SCORING.
For wagering purposes, unless otherwise stipulated, Professional and College Football is considered official after 55 minutes of regulation play or at the completion of overtime period(s).
Games are graded as soon as the game goes final and is deemed official.
Futures, such as Divisional winners, will be graded as soon as the season or tournament is over.

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BOXING (Pro, College, and Amateur)
When bell is sounded signifying the start of the opening round, the bout is considered official for wagering purposes. If the bout is officially stopped prior to the bell, that round is not considered a full round.
Wagering on boxing is done by laying or taking money odds.
The minus (-) indicates the favorite
The plus (+) indicates the underdog

Player must lay $200 to win $100 or $20 to win $10 on Tyson who is a 2 to 1 favorite.
Player would wager $100 to win $170 or $10 to win $17 to win on Holyfield.
In the event of a draw, money on the fight itself will be refunded. However, specific fight propositions must come as stated, such as a draw, either fighter by knockout or decision, or a specific round knockout, etc.
Round propositions will be governed by the rules posted on our wagering sheets or as stated at the time of the wager.
In the event that either fighters do not make the required weight but the fight goes on, the following stipulations apply: When the bell sounds for the first round, the bout will be considered official, regardless of the scheduled length or title.
The bout must have the original scheduled length to have action on a rounds proposition.

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HOCKEY
Wagering on hockey is done by laying or taking money odds.
The minus (-) indicates the favorite
The plus (+) indicates the underdog

Player would lay ½ goal and $140 to win $100 on the Flyers. Player would wager $100 and get the ½ goal to win $120 on the Bruins.
HOCKEY WAGERING RULES

• Games lasting under official time constitute'No Action' or 'Push/Cancel' and all money is refunded.

• Games must take place on the site and date scheduled. (unless otherwise specified)

• Overtime scores are included on all game period wagers. Third Period wagering does NOT include overtime scores.

• Las Vegas Rules apply for any rules not mentioned here.

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HORSES WAGERING RULES

• A time stamp will be placed on all wagers.

• Any horse wagers placed after the official star time will be graded as N/A (no action).

• Track Odds will be paid on winning horses up to the maximum house payout limits.

• Exotic wagers will only be paid in cases where the particular track offers this type of bet. If an exotic wager is placed on a race that does not offer it, the wager will be refunded.

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OTHER SPORTS
All other contests that involve a scheduled length of play or time limit must play to their conclusion or have five minutes or less of the scheduled playing time remaining when the contest concludes to be considered official for wagering purposes.

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PAYOFFS
Straight Bets
All Straight and Total bets pay 10/11 unless otherwise specified.
Parlays:

In case of 'No Action' or a 'Tie,' Parlay is reduced to the next lowest number of plays. Two team parlays become a straight bet at 11/10.

COMBINATION BASEBALL PAYOFFS
Because of the money line used in baseball, there are no set payoffs for tying a number of teams together in parlays.
Payoffs are determined by a simple formula that changes the
money line into a decimal number and combines it with the other lines in the parlay. The first step is to change the money line into a decimal.

HOW TO FIGURE BASEBALL PARLAYS
For each PRICE or ODDS quote on your teams, look at their respective PAYOFFS (to $1) and always ADD $1 to these payoffs.
Multiply your BET times the products of these payoffs (+$1) for your parlay return.

USE THE SAME METHOD FOR ANY NUMBER OF TEAMS

Bovada Sportsbook Rules

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS ADD $1 TO PAYOFF PRICE TO FIGURE ALL PARLAYS.
Note: In the case that there might be two exact teams showing with two different lines you may not parlay the teams together. If you do your parlay is null and void. No exceptions!

Betfair Sportsbook Rules

Mybookie Sportsbook Rules

A 'Tie' or 'No Action' and a 'Win' on a two team teaser shall constitute a 'No Action' wager. A 'Tie' or 'No Action' and a 'Loss' on a two team wager shall constitute a 'Losing' wager. Ties on a three or more team teaser shall revert to the next lowest betting bracket.