Quick Navigation
- What is the Moneyline in Sports Betting?
- How to Understand Moneylines?
- How to Read Moneyline Odds with Examples
- How Sportsbooks Set Moneyline Odds
- What’s the Playing Difference Between Moneyline and Point Spread?
- Benefits of Moneyline Bets
- Strategies and Tips for Success in Betting Moneylines
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Moneyline betting is the simplest way to place a sports bet. All you have to do is choose which team or player you think will win. This type of bet is available for every sport and league, making it a popular option among both new and seasoned bettors.
In this guide, we’ll show you how moneyline odds work, go through some examples, and explain important concepts such as favorites, underdogs, and implied probability. However, Moneyline does not guarantee a win, but understanding how this wager type works allows you to make smarter betting decisions.
- A moneyline bet is a simple bet on which team you think will win.
- A negative sign (-) means that a team is a favorite. A positive sign (+) means a team is considered an underdog.
- Moneyline bets are common among bettors because it’s easy to understand and provides an opportunity for you to win big if your prediction is right.
- To be successful in moneyline bets, always look for value and do your research on the team and individual players.
What is the Moneyline in Sports Betting?
A Moneyline bet is a basic wager on which team will win. It is typically used in football, hockey, and baseball games. Also, you can find this betting type in tennis and boxing. Unlike some other bets, such as over/under or point spreads, which require analysis of statistics to make a more accurate prediction, you simply choose and bet on its victory. No other conditions are considered.
Credit: 22Bet
How to Understand Moneylines?
So, when you place a bet on the Moneyline, you think that the team you have chosen will win. And that means you will win. The score does not matter at all. There are usually three options.
As in any other case, sportsbooks determine underdogs, who are likely to lose, and favorites, who are likely to win. Bettors are to choose between these two. There can be a draw position too (when both teams finish with the same number of points, goals, or whatever, meaning that there are no winners and losers). It is also known as an “even” or “pick ’em” game. You can bet on this outcome, too. But, some sites may indicate “Draw no bet,” referring to the above two options only.
It is clear that the right prediction will bring profit. There are odds, which are paid out if you guess right, betting on the favorite, on the underdog, or on evenly matched teams.
Let’s take a look at the examples of how you should read the money line.
💵 The Favorite
A favorite (a team that will highly likely win) is displayed with a “-” sign. It looks like: Team 1 (-150).
In accordance with this money line, a bettor is expected to bet $150. If he wins, he will gain $100 and get his wager back. The payout is equal to $250.
💵 The Underdog
An underdog (a team that will hardly win) is displayed with a “+” sign. It looks like: Team 2 (+150).
In accordance with this Moneyline, a bettor is expected to bet $100. If he is right, he will gain $150 and get his wager back. The payout is equal to $250.
💵 Even or Pick ‘em
If the sportsbook considers the teams or players equally likely to finish the game, you may bet on the even option (also known as a pick ‘em or a draw option). It looks like: Even +100.
In accordance with this money line, a bettor is expected to bet $100. If he wins, he will gain $100 and get his wager back. The payout is equal to $200.
✅ Does Overtime Count in Moneyline Bets?
In most cases, moneyline bets include overtime, meaning your wager is settled based on the final winner after extra time is played. This typically applies to major leagues such as the NBA and MLB, where the game cannot end in a draw. For example, if you bet on the Nuggets to win and the game is tied at the end of regulation, but Denver wins in overtime, your bet still wins, since overtime is part of the official result.
There are exceptions, especially in sports where draws are possible. The NFL poses a curious example, since if in regulation the game ends in a tie, extra time is played, but usually the Moneyline bet does not apply to the winner in extra time. Keep in mind that rules can vary between betting sites, especially for playoff formats or special events. Always check the rules on the sportsbook of your choice before placing a Moneyline bet.
How to Read Moneyline Odds with Examples
Moneyline odds are calculated by specialists who consider the probability of winning. The odds for each game are different. If the teams are almost equally skilled and strong, the gap between the two sides’ Moneyline odds will be moderate. If one of the teams is remarkably stronger, the gap will be larger.
| Stake | Example Odds | What You Risk | Potential Profit | Total Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | Favorite -150 | $150 | $100 | $250 |
| $100 | Underdog +150 | $100 | $150 | $250 |
| $100 | Even +100 | $100 | $100 | $200 |
Negative Moneyline: What Does -125, -270, or Anything Similar Mean?
Once again, if there is a “-” sign in front of a number next to the title of a team, it means this team is considered to be a favorite in the game.
In this case, the number shows the exact amount of a bet that you are supposed to place if you want to gain $100 when your guess proves correct.
Example:
Team 1 (-125).
It means that you will get $100 if you bet $125 and this team wins. Of course, you will also get your $125 back. In total, you will win $225.
If the probability of winning is high, you will be asked to bet a larger amount to gain $100. Such teams (highly likely to win) are known as heavy favorites or “chalk” picks. Here, the bets start with -300 odds. But, you should understand that the high probability of a win is not a guarantee, but there is a low chance of losing your wager.
Positive Moneyline: What Does +125, +270, or Anything Similar Mean??
For example, a +150 Moneyline means that you would win $150 for each $100 wager you placed should that team win the game.
If there is a “+” sign in front of a number next to the team title, it means this team is considered to be an underdog in the game.
In this case, the number shows the exact amount of your win, if you bet $100, provided that your guess is right.
Example:
Team 1 (+125).
It means that you will win $125 if you bet $100 and this team wins. If you bet $200, your winnings will be $250, and so on. Of course, you will receive a return on your bet.
How Sportsbooks Set Moneyline Odds
Sportsbooks set moneyline odds by estimating the true probability of each team winning and then adjusting those probabilities to include their profit margin, known as the “vig” or “juice.” Bookmakers start with statistical models that include data points such as statistics relating to the team’s performance, injuries, new additions to the roster, and situational factors such as home-field advantage, or scheduling.
Betting sites also want to reduce their risk exposure with each fixture, and they achieve this by observing betting market behavior. In other words, if one team is receiving a large amount of the money, then the odds will change to balance the action.
We can illustrate the process with a hypothetical example of a soccer match from the UEFA Champions League, between Real Madrid and Newcastle United F.C. If the bookmakers estimate that Real Madrid has 60% chances of winning, then Newcastle gets 40%. Based on this, they might set the odds like this:
- Real Madrid: -150
- Newcastle United: +130
However, these odds don’t perfectly reflect the true probabilities, and the difference accounts for the sportsbook’s margin, ensuring they can make a profit regardless of the outcome.
What’s the Playing Difference Between Moneyline and Point Spread?
While the basic rules for how to bet are the same, the mechanism itself is different. For example, along with the Moneyline, point spread betting is also common. This betting type means you are expected to predict the score or any other digital performance.
For instance, you should decide how many points the favorite will win. Or you should choose the spread for an underdog team (player) and if it (he) loses by less than the chosen spread, you will win. In other words, you should answer the question: Who wins (or loses) and by how much?
When you bet on a Moneyline, you are expected to decide which team will win without mentioning any other outcomes. In other words, you should answer the question, “Who will win?”
There is a similar feature if we compare these two betting types. In both cases, favorites come with a “-” sign, and underdogs come with a “+” sign. Also, when the analysts of a sportsbook calculate the probability of the outcome of the sports event, the odds for both betting types will be based on the same information.
Benefits of Moneyline Bets
A beginner in sports betting who does not want to spend too much time studying the sport and teams to make accurate forecasts will choose Moneyline bets. In this section, we’ll reveal why many bettors prefer this bet type.
Credit: 888Sports
✅ Easy to Understand
You do not have to be an expert in betting to understand Moneyline bets. You will know the ropes very quickly. Simply, you can use our examples and quickly get the answer. Practice and try out different variations.
✅ Big Payoffs on Big Upsets
Moneyline provides you with a real opportunity to win a lot. But, you should make the right prediction of a big upset to benefit from such a chance.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple and easy to understand | Lower payouts on favorites |
| No need to predict score or margin | Large stakes are needed to profit from strong favorites |
| Potential for high returns on underdogs | Underdogs win less often, increasing risk |
| Available across most sports and markets | Odds often reflect true probabilities, limiting value |
Sports betting is fun, but it can easily become addictive. That’s why you must bet responsibly by setting a gambling budget, sticking to it, and never chasing losses. If you ever feel that your betting impulses are hard to manage, it’s important to seek help from professional organizations.
Strategies and Tips for Success in Betting Moneylines
Regardless of the simplicity of this betting type, there are strategies you should know if you want to make better-informed decisions. You do understand that if it were so easy to win using Moneylines, everybody would prefer it. Failure is possible if you do not place your bet thoughtfully.
You should still be aware of the sport that you are going to place a bet on. It is important to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the considered teams or players.
Let’s look at some specific issues to remember so that you can increase the prospect of making the right prediction.
1️⃣ Always Look for Value
A sportsbook determines unique odds on each team after a thorough calculation of its chances of winning. If you see that the payouts are larger than they are supposed to be in accordance with other bookmakers’ forecasts or your own idea of the likelihood of the outcome, then you should benefit from these large odds. They are referred to as value, being true both when paying too much for a favorite and an underdog. You will definitely succeed and gain by choosing values to bet on again and again for a long time.
2️⃣ Determine the Probability
The implied probability shows the percentage chance of an outcome occurring as suggested by the betting odds. While it doesn’t guarantee the result, it reflects how likely a sportsbook thinks an outcome is, based on the odds they’ve set. This probability is calculated and then converted into a percentage, giving a clear estimate of the expected chance of winning.
Here are the standard formulas used:
- For negative odds -A: implied probability = A / (A + 100)
- For positive odds +B: implied probability = 100 / (B + 100)
Again, if you get a probability that is lower compared to your prediction of this team’s winning chances, then you are lucky to find value. It is recommended to bet on it.
Example:
You get a Moneyline: Team 1 (-120).
It means that you should bet $120 if you want to win $100. If your guess is right, you will get $220 ($120 of your wager plus $100 of your profit).
To calculate the probability, 120/220 = 0.5455. Now convert this amount into a percentage. 0,5455 x 100 = 54.55%, which tells you that you are going to risk $120 in order to earn $100 with an implied probability equal to 54.55%.
You get a Moneyline: Team 2 (+120).
It means that you should bet $100 if you want to win $120. If your guess is right, you will get $220 ($100 of your wager plus $120 of your profit).
To calculate probability, 100/220 = 0.4544. Now convert this amount into a percentage. 0,4544 x 100 = 45.44%, which tells you that you are going to risk $100 in order to earn $120 with an implied probability equal to 45.44%. As you see, the higher the amount of winning, the lower the implied probability is.
3️⃣ Consider the Sport
The concept of moneyline betting applies identically to all sports, but that does not mean that all sports behave the same. Scoring patterns and frequency of upsets can significantly impact your approach when using this bet type. Understanding these differences can help you make more informed decisions and manage risk more effectively. Let’s break down some of the more popular sports.
🏀 Basketball
- Favorites win more consistently, which is typical for high-scoring team sports
- There is often a big skill differences between teams
- More suitable for parlays or prop bets
- It’s not uncommon for an underdog to win, but it’s less frequent
⚽ Soccer
- Commonly offers three-way moneyline markets
- Draws are frequent, which adds complexity
- Low-scoring nature increases variance
- “Draw No Bet” markets can reduce risk
🥎 Tennis
- It’s purely an individual performance-based sport, no team dynamics to worry about
- Favorites tend to win more often
- Odds are heavily influenced by surface type and player form
- This is a good sport for betting based on data-driven analysis
🏈 American Football
- Key factors to look for are recent quarterback performance, injuries, and weather conditions
- Point spreads are often a more popular option for NFL betting
- Underdogs can win outright, especially in closely matched games
- If betting on underdogs look for odds in the +100 to +200 odds range
⚾ Baseball
- Outcomes tend to be highly unpredictable
- Starting pitchers have a major influence on the result
- Underdogs win more frequently compared to other sports
- The low scoring makes Moneyline betting more common than spreads
🏒 Ice Hockey
- There is significant upset potential
- Outcomes are significantly influenced by goaltender performance
- There is an extra layer of unpredictability thanks to overtime and shootouts
- Randomness is increased by the fact that many games are decided by one goal
Credit: 888Sports
4️⃣ Do your Research
While doing your research, consider all impact factors, including the health of players and weather conditions. Every detail can change the outcome. You should know the day of the game and the place it will hold. Do not forget about the following moments:
- The home-field advantage
- The history of each team
- The history between the competing teams
- Popularity
- Rotations of the players
- The public’s response to their private lives and successes
Everything should be considered.
5️⃣ Check Line Movement
This is like a trend following. You should find experienced, well-informed, and reputable bettors who are deeply involved in this activity and track their preferences, which is called a sharp line movement. The term “line movement” means a change in lines (odds, point totals, and point spreads). This change is made by sportsbooks from the moment they set the odds to the beginning of the game. You can use it to your advantage to bet on the most favorable conditions.
Example:
- The opening line listed a day before the game can be like this: Team 1: +4 (-110). Team 2: -4 (-110)
- The same line on a day, when the game is going to start, can look as follows: Team 1: +3 (-110). Team 2: -3 (-110)
Here we see that a bookmaker decides that a favorite is less of a favorite and an underdog is less of an underdog than it has been supposed to be before.
The most common reasons for a line movement are issues with teams, injuries to players, weather conditions, and something similar that can make bettors and sportsbooks change their predictions. But also, the betting sites may balance the situation to prevent their loss of money by giving more points to the less attractive team.
So, if you want to place a stake on a favorite, you should do it early. The favorites are commonly preferred by bettors. That is why it is highly likely that the bookmaker changes the line against the public, making favorites less attractive. If you want to bet on an underdog, wait for an improved price.
Tracking line movement can help you understand how odds evolve based on new information and market activity. Observing betting percentages can give you insight into the overall sentiment among the betting public. However, these figures usually reflect the number of bets and not the amount of money wagered.
In some cases, odds move in the opposite direction, a phenomenon known as reverse line movement. This may suggest that the market is influenced by larger bets, in terms of stakes, or more informed wagers. However, you should not interpret these signals as definitive, as line changes can also result from factors such as injuries, trades of players, or the sportsbook’s risk management. Do not blindly follow perceived “sharp” action. Use line movement as one of several tools alongside research and statistical analysis.
Credit: William Hill
Conclusion
We hope that we have managed to highlight the essential issues surrounding the subject in this article. Now, you understand the meaning of Moneylines, the advantages of this betting type, and the way the payouts are calculated here. Try these simple bets, but do not forget that they require effort. When you know the peculiarities of the sport and its history, you can then make the right prediction of the current outcome and get high outcomes on a continuous basis.
FAQ
What Makes the Moneyline Simple and Straightforward?
The key advantage of the Moneyline is its simple choice of a winner. The bettor is expected to choose this team or the other. You do not have to guess the points. There are only winners and losers. You have to pick one side only. Also, some sportsbooks provide bettors with the third choice of a draw option.
What Does a +200 Moneyline Mean?
A +200 Moneyline means that the team is an underdog. If you bet $100 on it, you will win $200. Your total payout will be $300.
What is a 3-way Moneyline Bet?
There are three options to bet on: a favorite, an underdog, and a draw. You can bet on any of them. This is known as a 3-way Moneyline bet. It is commonly seen in soccer because this sport comes with a lot of outcomes in a draw.
Do Moneyline Prices Differ from One Betting Site to Another?
You can find different Moneyline prices for the same sports event across various sportsbooks. The difference can be huge. So, it makes sense to look for the most favorable offer.
Will the Moneyline Change Once It’s Set?
The Moneyline changes from the moment it is set by a sportsbook until the start of the game. The points are adjusted to the current situation, in particular to the placed bets. Determine the best price by applying the recommended strategies to get the best payout.
Is the Moneyline a Good Bet?
Yes, Moneyline is a good bet if you are not very skilled in this industry or just do not want to spend a lot of time doing research and agree to have relatively low payouts. Just decide which team will win the event and get your prize.
What Happens If You Bet $100 on a Moneyline?
You can bet $100 on an underdog and get the win established by the odds. If you want to place a bet on a favorite, the rules are different. In this case, the odds will show the amount of your bet, allowing you to win $100. Theoretically speaking, this amount could be $100.
