The Meaning of a ‘Dime Line'

Question
Hi there, please can you explain what a ‘dime line' means in baseball betting.

Answer
A dime line is a betting line where the price difference between the favorite and the underdog is ten cents. So, if the favorite is -130, and the ‘dog is +120, then that game has a dime line. By comparison, point spread sports like the NFL and NBA are bet with a 20 cent line, since both sides are -110.

Dime lines are great for the player because the house edge is smaller. Consider: If a book hangs two NFL teams at -110 the house edge is 4.54%. . Now take a look at a dime line in baseball where the favorite is -110 and the ‘dog is +100. In a game like this the house edge is around 2%. Baseball bettor are almost always better off finding books that offer dime lines, since you'll usually be getting a better payoff on your bets than you would be at a shop that deals twenty cent lines.

If you're a basball bettor the best book for you is Pinnacle. In fact, it's not even close. Pinnacle actually deals an eight cent line for baseball, which is without question the lowest juice you'll find anywhere—either offshore or in Vegas.

Back to Mailbag