Like many sports, baseball has its own set of betting terms, and if you’re not already familiar with them, it can take a bit of getting used to. One term you might come across is “total bases,” which plays a key role in certain baseball betting markets.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what total bases means in baseball and how bets on total bases actually work. There’s no need for any in-depth knowledge of the sport—we’ll keep things straightforward and easy to follow.
If you’re exploring baseball betting for the first time, understanding the basics is a useful starting point. Let’s break down what total bases are all about.
In baseball, “total bases” refers to the number of bases a player earns from their hits in a single game. Each type of hit has a set value: a single counts as one base, a double as two, a triple as three, and a home run as four. Only these hits are included when calculating total bases.
Other ways of getting on base—like walks, errors, or stolen bases—don’t count towards this total. The statistic focuses purely on how far a player advances through successful hits.
In betting, total bases usually relates to how many bases a specific player will record from hits during a game. These markets often give you the option to bet on whether a player will go over or under a set number of total bases, as determined by the bookmaker.
If you choose to place a total bases bet, you’re predicting how many bases a player will earn from their hits during a single game. The bookmaker sets a number—often something like 1.5 or 2.5 total bases—and you decide whether that player will go over or under the set amount.
As mentioned earlier, only hits count towards total bases: singles are worth one, doubles two, triples three, and home runs four. Walks, hit-by-pitches, and other ways of reaching base aren’t included.
You’ll often have the option to place this type of bet on multiple players from either team. You might want to check the terms with your bookmaker beforehand, as some may have their own specific rules around how these bets are settled.
A “2 total bases” bet means wagering on whether a player will earn at least two bases from their hits during a game.
For example, if a bookmaker sets the line at 2 total bases for a player, the bet would pay out if that player records hits that add up to two or more bases. This could be something like two singles, one double, or any other combination that reaches the total.
If the player only manages a single worth one base—or doesn’t get a hit at all—the bet wouldn’t be successful.
Total bases, whether used as a statistic or in betting, only count the bases a player earns from hits. That includes singles, doubles, triples, and home runs.
To be clear, a home run is worth four total bases. Walks, including those from being hit by a pitch, don’t contribute to the total bases count at all.
Since different bookmakers may explain their markets slightly differently, if you intend to place a bet, you might want to check the specific rules for it beforehand. That way, you’ll know exactly how it’s being calculated.
Working out a player’s total bases is straightforward once you know what to look for. You simply add up the number of bases earned from their hits—one for a single, two for a double, three for a triple, and four for a home run, as explained earlier.
For example, if a player hits one single and one double in the same game, their total bases would be three.
You can often find this stat listed on official baseball websites, while many sportsbooks provide live updates during the game. Some bookmakers also show total bases on their player betting pages, making it easy to follow along and keep track of how your bet is going.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.