Explaining MLB betting at Matchbook to a newbie

[Mudcat]

It is fairly common for me to get questions like, "Everyone says Matchbook is great for MLB. How does an exchange work?"

Well here's the answer:



Matchbook is indeed fantastic for MLB. How it works is you enter your bets very much like a regular sportsbook just remember that commissions are deducted which are 0.6% accept side; -0.1% offer side (rebate) on Moneylines and Runlines, and 0.8% accept side; -0.2% offer side (rebate) on Totals.

And remember, even when your bets lose, they deduct more money from your account for these commissions at the above-stated rates.

(And then also remember that if you happen to want to place a bet on a different sport, the regular commissions apply which are slightly different. They are: 1.0% accept side; -0.2% offer side (rebate) on both winning and losing bets.)

Now go get 'em tiger!



To which the newcomer inevitably replies, "Gosh I like the sound of that. It flows off the tongue. I've been looking for a betting place with those exact rules my whole life. I'm going to go tell all my friends."



And they all lived happily ever after.



Should I spell out my point? Probably. Matchbook is great for MLB and many things. The commissions are quite reasonable. I kinda get what they were trying to do with these updated commission rules. But there really is something to be said for the KISS concept.

Keep It Simple Sackbreath.

[fiveteamer]

Always line shop and get the best number.

this is making it 101

[Matt Rain]

I heart the new Matchbook very much. Look Ma, no commission and 0.2% back.

I will be "stuck" with commission credits for months. Yay.

[Mudcat]

I like it very much too. I don't find the commission set-up hard to understand.

But I did study calculus and statistics at University of Toronto.

To many newbies, it sounds hopelessly complicated and scary. I know because I have spoken with some. They throw their hands up pretty quickly. I don't like the idea of scaring anyone away from our offers.

[Matt Rain]

I understand how it can look complicated to a recreational bettor who merely wants to put a couple bills on his home team. Still, Matchbook does a very good job of explaining the fundamentals on their site - the learning curve is smoother than that of other exchanges, Betfair in particular.