MLB Best Bets – Free (Wednesday 5/15)
Josh Gross
What Is a Futures Bet?
A futures bet is a wager that won’t be decided in the short-term, it’s a bet that is placed well in advance of the final result. These bets could take weeks, months or even over a year for the event to be graded. Future bets can be made in all sports (and even politics — like who will be the next president), in the NFL for example, you can bet on the Super Bowl winner before that season’s Super Bowl is even completed. You’ll also be able to bet on futures on players and awards. For example, if you think this is the Milwaukee Bucks’ year to go all the way and Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to have a career year; then you’ll probably find yourself not only betting the Bucks to win the NBA championship, but you’ll also probably wager on Giannis winning NBA MVP as well.
Here are just some other examples of future bets that can be made in many sports, and certainly the major four (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL):
- Team Win Totals
- Rookie of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Points or Home Run Leader
- Division/Conference Winners
Do Futures Bets Odds Change?
It’s important to remember the odds will fluctuate throughout the season when betting futures. Injuries, trades and team performance are some of the biggest factors bookmakers will focus on when adjusting their future prices. A perfect example of finding value in the futures market after the season already began, is the 2022 Houston Astros. Before opening day, the Astros were +700 to win the World Series. After somewhat of a slow start (and an unexpected positive start for the Los Angeles Angels), you could have bet the Astros at 12/1 (+1200) just a few weeks into the season. That’s quite a jump in value, when nothing had really changed with the makeup of either team.
Should Futures Bets Be for Favorites or Longshots?
It’s enticing to bet longshots at long-odds, but remember, you don’t have to risk your normal bet amount to hit big. With all the possible outcomes and fluctuations with teams and players, the implied probability of cashing your future is obviously lower than a traditional side/total wager, hence the longer odds. Future bets are a good way to give yourself value on your bet, as it’s something you’ll be rooting for (or kicking yourself) over the length of the season/bet. You must also keep in mind that your money is going to be tied for an extended period of time. If you don’t have a large bankroll, you certainly want to limit your allocation into futures.
Who Has the Best Futures Bet Odds?
Just like any bet, it’s incredibly important to shop around for the best price when betting futures. Unlike standard bets, you’ll find a larger difference in futures prices from book-to-book, either due to bookmaker opinion or their current liability on a team/result. Be sure to use FTN’s Prop Shop when seeking the best number available.
