What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet is the simplest form of sports betting. You are betting on which team will win the game—nothing more.
- No point spread
- No margin of victory required
- Just pick the winner
Moneyline bets are the easiest way to start betting.
Moneyline Bet Example
Moneyline odds are expressed relative to $100:
- Favorite: -150 → risk $150 to win $100
- Underdog: +130 → risk $100 to win $130
The minus sign (-) indicates the favorite, while the plus sign (+) indicates the underdog.
If your team wins the game, your bet wins. If they lose, your bet loses.
How Moneyline Odds Work
Moneyline odds reflect the implied probability of each team winning.
- Favorites have negative odds because they are more likely to win
- Underdogs have positive odds because they are less likely to win
As the gap between teams increases, the odds adjust:
- -200 favorite vs +170 underdog
- -400 favorite vs +300 underdog
- -1000 favorite vs +700 underdog
The stronger the favorite, the more you must risk to win a smaller amount.
Why Moneyline Bets Are Popular
Moneyline bets are widely used in sports like baseball and hockey, where point spreads are less common.
They are also popular in football and basketball when bettors prefer to avoid the spread and simply back a team to win.
- Simpler than spread betting
- No need to worry about margin
- Useful for underdog value opportunities
Moneyline vs Other Bet Types
Moneyline bets are one of several core betting types:
- Moneyline: pick the winner
- Straight Bets: single wagers (can include spreads and totals)
- Over/Under Bets: bet on total points scored
- Parlay Bets: combine multiple picks for higher payouts
Each type offers different risk and reward profiles depending on your betting strategy.
Finding the Best Moneyline Odds
Moneyline odds can vary slightly between sportsbooks, which means shopping for the best price can improve your long-term results.
Even small differences—like -130 vs -135—can add up over time.
Find the top sites for moneyline betting.
Learn More Betting Types
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