Major League Baseball betting is still sidelined (for now) but the Korean Baseball Organization has started its season. This is the highest level of pro baseball in South Korea, and fans here in the US are about to get familiar with it in big league fashion.
ESPN has inked a deal to provide broadcast coverage of the games six days a week, and you can also find the Korean feed of the telecasts to stream on Twitch. Major online sportsbooks in the US are on board and offering markets for KBO. Fans who have been starved for baseball DFS action will be pleased as well as all of the contest types you know and love are back in play.
KBO is a 10-team league that began play on May 5. We have all the bases covered for KBO betting. Let’s get to it.
As mentioned, online sportsbooks in several states have brushed up on KBO odds and will be taking action on every KBO game plus props and futures. Here are the top betting apps where you can get in on the game.
1. DraftKings Sportsbook — $25 free, up to $1K in bonuses
DraftKings Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, CO, PA, WV, IN, NH, IA
The DFS titan DraftKings is all in with sports betting as well. That has translated into a slick platform that’s easy to use and chock full of bells and whistles, excellent promotions and virtually everything else you would expect from DraftKings.
KBO markets on DraftKings include moneyline, run line, spreads, totals and futures.
FanDuel Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, CO, PA, WV and IN
FanDuel is now leaning on the same principles that drove it to the top of the DFS world while becoming a market leader in sports betting. A user-friendly platform and stellar customer service are among the hallmarks you have to look forward to.
KBO futures and game lines will be posted or updated daily.
Mobile sports betting apps literally put the sportsbook in your pocket. When it comes to live sports betting, where it pays to bet quickly as odds shift, apps are a must to stay on top of the action as it develops.
Getting started with betting on our recommended apps is super simple. Click through on our exclusive links to create an account, and then follow the steps on that page to download the app for your device once registration is complete.
From start to finish, you’re looking at just a couple of minutes of your time. Once complete, you’ll be able to bet on KBO online as well as on the go via your phone or tablet.
Which states can I bet KBO in?
The legal sports betting environment across the US continues to develop. There are some states that have been up and running for nearly two years, others that are newer to the game, and some still working on legislation.
The rapid developments are thanks to a judgment by the Supreme Court of the United States from May 2018 that effectively put the legality question in the hands of the individual states.
Fast forward to today, and business is booming in legal and regulated sports betting markets. Here’s a look at the current list of states where you can legally and safely place your bets on KBO and other markets.
You’ll be able to place all of the standard baseball bets on KBO. Here’s a quick run-through.
Moneyline
A moneyline wager is a simple and straightforward bet in which you are simply choosing the winner of the contest. Favorites are designated with negative odds, while the odds are positive on the underdog side.
NC Dinos -150
Samsung Lions +120
Run line
For this wager, you have to factor in the run line, which is generally set at 1.5 for baseball. To cover, the favorite must win by an amount greater than 1.5. The underdog can cover by keeping the margin under 1.5 or by winning the game outright.
Doosan Bears -1.5 (-110)
LG Twins +1.5 (-110)
Totals
You can also take your chances on the total number of runs scored in the game. Oddsmakers will set the bar, and bettors then decide if they think the total will go over or under that number.
Over 8.5 (-110)
Under 8.5 (-110)
There’s also a futures betting market for KBO odds revolving around the winner of the next league championship. Here’s what the odds board currently looks like for the league’s 10 teams at DraftKings and BetMGM.
Overall, you’ll find that KBO is similar to MLB. However, there are some distinct differences that you need to be aware of. Here are the biggest points to keep in mind.
Season and league structure: For MLB, it’s 30 teams playing a 162-game schedule. In the KBO, the league’s 10 squads play 144 games, which balances out nicely to 16 games versus each of the other nine teams.
Universal designated hitter: The DH rule has long been the subject of debate on our shores. The American League uses it while the National League does not. Some folks love it, but others hate it. In KBO, the matter is settled, as all teams use a DH.
Extra innings and ties: In MLB, games tied after nine frames go until there’s a winner, regardless of how many innings it takes. During the regular season for KBO, games that go 12 innings without a winner are declared a tie.
Bat flips and entrance music: Here in the US, a bat flip after solid contact would be frowned upon, and it may even lead to retaliation. Over in the KBO, the practice is accepted and even encouraged. As for music, KBO players get customized theme songs as opposed to random popular tracks they might fancy.
As the last points on the list indicate, KBO games have a festive atmosphere in which the entertainment quotient is high. It’s pretty tough to see that as anything but a positive.
KBO playoffs
The playoff structure for the KBO is unique. The first part of the equation is really clear cut: the team with the best record at the end of the regular season automatically advances to the Championship Series.
The next four teams in the standings also qualify for the postseason. The playoffs begin with a wild card round in which the fourth-place team squares off with the team that came in fifth.
It’s a best-of-three series, but the fourth seed enters with a 1-0 advantage. That means it only has to win one game to advance, while the fifth seed would need to win two in a row to make it to the next round.
The winner of that series moves on to face the third-place team in a best-of-five series. The victor from that pairing moves on to square off with the second-place team in another best-of-five series.
The team that wins moves on to face the first-place team for the title in a best-of-seven series.
One other note on the KBO playoffs: ties remain in effect for the postseason, but with another wrinkle. Games that remain tied after 15 innings of play are called and replayed in their entirety.
KBO DFS
KBO DFS is now a thing in the US, and the two leading companies in the industry are both offering games. The lobbies for both DraftKings and FanDuel are currently filled with KBO games.
Signing up to play is quick. Click through on our exclusive links, enter a few details, complete the registration process, and you’ll be all set. Here are the links to claim our exclusive free play bonuses:
All of the popular DFS game types are being offered, including guaranteed prize pool tournaments, head-to-heads, DoubleUps, and 50/50s. Here’s what you need to know.
KBO DFS roster requirements
DraftKings and FanDuel typically offer a different spin on DFS games, and it’s no different with KBO. Here are the roster requirements for the two platforms.
DraftKings: P, P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF
FanDuel: P, IF, IF, OF, OF, UT, UT
KBO DFS scoring
As the two DFS titans do with MLB DFS, it’s a different approach for scoring on KBO DFS games.
The two platforms are pretty close overall on offensive points, but there are some minor differences to watch out for. As for pitching, FanDuel leans toward keeping it simple, while DraftKings takes a slightly more advanced approach.
Where can I watch KBO?
The fact that people can bet and play DFS on KBO games is going to lead to a surge in interest, and there’s some icing on the cake to make it even better.
ESPN will be providing live broadcast coverage of the games. Here are the details on the early season schedule.
May 5: NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions, 1 a.m. ET, ESPN
May 6: Doosan Bears vs. LG Twins, 5:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2
May 7: NC Dinos vs. Samsung Lions, 5:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2
May 8: Kia Tigers vs. Samsung Lions, 5:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2
May 9: LG Twins vs. NC Dinos, 4 a.m. ET, ESPN2
May 10: LG Twins vs. NC Dinos, 1 a.m. ET, ESPN2
Replays of the games will also be shown during normal broadcast hours. As for streaming, KBO games can be found on Twitch.tv, but please note that feeds are in Korean.
Quick betting guide to KBO teams
Before diving right in and placing wagers on KBO, it’s a good idea to gain some familiarity with the teams in the league. We’ve got you covered on that front as well. Here’s a quick look at all 10 squads and what you need to know.
Doosan Bears
The defending champs and current favorites in the futures market, the Bears are led on offense by 2018 league MVP Jae-Hwan Kim.
2019 record: 88-55-1
2019 postseason: Won Korean Series
KBO titles: 6
Last title: 2019
Foreign players: Jose Miguel Fernandez, Raul Alcantara, Chris Flexen
Home stadium: Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul
Hanwha Eagles
The Eagles have been among the also-rans of KBO for some time, but the club is known for having a passionate fan base regardless.
2019 record: 58-86-0
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
KBO titles: 1
Last title: 1999
Foreign players: Jared Hoying, Chad Bell, Warwick Saupold
Home stadium: Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon
Kia Tigers
Former NL Manager of the Year Matt Williams is now in charge of the Tigers, a team that its fans love and opponents are not fond of.
Home stadium: Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju
Kiwoom Heroes
The Heroes are known for playing a relatively aggressive style. The franchise is still looking for its first league crown.
2019 record: 86-57-1
2019 postseason: Runner-up
KBO titles: None
Last title: NA
Foreign players: Taylor Motter, Jake Brigham, Eric Jokisch
Home stadium: Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul
KT Wiz
One of the newer teams in the KBO, having debuted in 2013, the KT Wiz has high hopes for 20-year-old outfielder Baek-ho Kang emerging as the face of the franchise.
2019 record: 71-71-2
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
KBO titles: None
Last title: NA
Foreign players: Mel Rojas Jr., William Cuevas, Odrisamer Despaigne
Home stadium: Suwon KT Wiz Park in Suwon
LG Twins
The Twins share a stadium with Doosan, so there’s a natural rivalry there that’s even more intense in the wake of the Bears winning the title last season.
2019 record: 79-64-1
2019 postseason: Wild card
KBO titles: 2
Last title: 1994
Foreign players: Roberto Ramos, Casey Kelly, Tyler Wilson
Home stadium: Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul
Lotte Giants
The Giants finished in last place in 2019, and the franchise hasn’t won a league crown since 1992. In other words, there’s nowhere to go but up.
2019 record: 48-93-3
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
KBO titles: 2
Last title: 1992
Foreign players: Dixon Machado, Adrian Sampson, Dan Straily
Home stadium: Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan
NC Dinos
The Dinos have only been around since 2013 as well, but the club has managed to make it to the playoffs in five of seven campaigns.
2019 record: 73-69-2
2019 postseason: Wild card
KBO titles: None
Last title: NA
Foreign players: Aaron Altherr, Drew Rucinski, Mike Wright
Home stadium: Changwon NC Park in Changwon
Samsung Lions
The Lions won four straight KBO titles from 2011 through 2014, but the club hasn’t been able to put it all back together since then.
2019 record: 60-83-1
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
KBO titles: 8
Last title: 2014
Foreign players: Tyler Saladino, David Buchanan, Ben Lively
Home stadium: Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu
SK Wyverns
It was a rough close to 2019 for the Wyverns, as the team held a seven-game lead for an automatic trip to the championship series entering the last month of play and managed to blow it.
2019 record: 88-55-1
2019 postseason: Lost Playoff
KBO titles: 4
Last title: 2018
Foreign players: Jamie Romak, Nick Kingham, Ricardo Pinto
Home stadium: Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon
KBO standings and results
The Doosan Bears are the defending champions of KBO, and the futures market points to the squad as the favorite to do it again. It’s been a few years since there was a back-to-back league champ, but the Bears were the last to turn the trick. Here’s a look at the last 10 winners of the KBO Championship.
2019: Doosan Bears
2018: SK Wyverns
2017: Kia Tigers
2016: Doosan Bears
2015: Doosan Bears
2014: Samsung Lions
2013: Samsung Lions
2012: Samsung Lions
2011: Samsung Lions
2010: SK Wyverns
The Kia Tigers hold the mark for all-time league titles with 11. Incredibly, the club is a perfect 11-0 when making it to the KBO Series. The Samsung Lions have the most all-time appearances at 18 with a record of 8-10.
Which American players can I watch in the KBO?
MLB fans will find that a number of recognizable names are currently plying their trade in the KBO. Here are a few of the top American stars for this season.
Preston Tucker, OF, Kia Tigers: After making his debut for the Houston Astros in 2015 and playing two seasons with them, Tucker had stints with a trio of NL squads. He joined the Tigers in 2019 and re-upped for another season.
Taylor Motter, IF, Kiwoom Heroes: Motter spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins from 2016 through 2018. After bouncing around the minors, Motter has now taken his talents to the KBO.
Odrisamer Despaigne, P, KT Wiz: Cuban-born Despaigne has had a journeyman career in MLB while racking up a record of 13-26. The 33-year-old signed a one-year-deal with the Wiz in the offseason.
Dan Straily, P, Lotte Giants: Straily has been solid at times in an MLB career that has spanned from 2012 through 2019 with a number of clubs. A solid performance on his one-year-deal with the Giants could lead to a ticket back to the big leagues.
Aaron Altherr, OF, NC Dinos: After a five-year stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, Altherr hit the waiver wire and did time with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. Now playing for the Dinos, Altherr had 37 HRs in his MLB career.
Former KBO stars now in MLB
The doors to the KBO don’t go in just one direction. A number of players have parlayed success in South Korea into MLB contracts. Here’s a look at a few of the more notable players on the list.
Eric Thames: Currently playing for the Washington Nationals, Thames is a legend in the KBO. He began his career in MLB before shifting to the NC Dinos, where he absolutely tattooed the baseball for three campaigns before heading back to the US.
Hyun-jin Ryu: Ryu pitched for Hanwha Eagles from 2006 through 2012 before becoming a fixture on the staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Ryu has a lifetime record of 54-33 in MLB.
Josh Lindblom: Lindblom is an interesting case as he served two stints in the KBO in the midst of his MLB career. The 2019 KBO MVP as a member of the Doosan Bears, Lindblom inked a three-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason.
Merrill Kelly: After three seasons with the SK Wyverns, Kelly signed a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks following the 2019 campaign. He proved to be a workhorse for the club, going 13-14.
Chan Ho Park: South Korea-born Park took the opposite path. He racked up a record of 124-98 in an MLB career that spanned the years 1994 through 2010 with multiple clubs. Park closed out his pro career with a stint with the Hanwha Eagles.
