Moneyline Meaning: A Complete Guide to Moneyline Bets in Sports

Last Updated on August 9, 2025 by Martin Green

If you want a straightforward way to bet on sports, the moneyline is the place to start. A moneyline bet just means you pick which team or player you think will win—no point spread, nothing fancy. It’s direct, easy to grasp, and you’ll find it in almost every sport.

Moneyline odds always have either a plus or minus sign. The minus sign points to the favorite, while the plus sign marks the underdog. If you know how to read these numbers, you can spot the payout and the implied chance of each side winning.

What Does Moneyline Mean in Sports Betting?

The moneyline is just a way to bet on who wins, no spread or anything else. You’re only concerned with which team or player comes out on top, and the odds tell you how much you’ll win if you’re right.

Definition of Moneyline

A moneyline bet is about as simple as it gets in sports betting. Pick who you think will win, and that’s that.

You’ll find moneyline betting everywhere—baseball, hockey, tennis, MMA, and plenty more. Football and basketball have them too, though people often use point spreads in those sports.

How Moneyline Bets Work

When you make a moneyline bet, the odds set your payout. Favorites pay less since they’re expected to win. Underdogs pay more because they’re less likely to pull it off.

Example:

Team	Odds	Bet Amount	Profit if Win	Total Return
Team A	-150	$150	$100	$250
Team B	+130	$100	$130	$230

If your team wins, you get paid. If not, you lose your bet. No extra hoops to jump through. Sometimes, if there’s a tie, you get your money back, but that depends on the sport.

Difference Between Moneyline and Point Spread

A point spread bet is about who wins and by how much. The favorite has to win by more than the spread for your bet to cash. The underdog can win outright or just keep it close.

With a moneyline bet, it doesn’t matter if your team wins by one or twenty. Just win, and you’re good. This makes moneyline betting pretty simple, though betting big favorites doesn’t usually pay as much.

People use point spreads more in high-scoring sports like football and basketball. Moneylines are huge in lower-scoring sports where spreads don’t make as much sense.

Understanding Moneyline Odds

Moneyline odds show what you can win for your bet and hint at how likely an outcome is. The plus (+) or minus (-) tells you if you’re looking at a favorite or an underdog, and the number helps you figure out payouts and probability.

How to Read Moneyline Odds

You’ll always see moneyline odds with either a minus (-) or a plus (+) in front.

For example:

Odds	Bet Amount	Profit if Win	Total Return
-150	$150	$100	$250
+200	$100	$200	$300

American moneyline odds rule in the U.S., but you might run into decimal or fractional odds elsewhere. The look changes, but the idea stays the same – odds set payout and show probability.

Favorites vs. Underdogs

Favorites are more likely to win; underdogs aren’t. Sportsbooks use a minus for favorites and a plus for underdogs.

Favorites pay less because they’re safer bets. Underdogs pay more, but you’re taking on more risk. You’ll want to weigh if the bigger payout is worth the gamble.

Implied Probability Explained

Implied probability turns odds into a percentage chance to win. It’s handy for comparing what the sportsbook thinks to what you think.

Example:

• -150 odds → 150 / (150 + 100) = 60% chance
• +200 odds → 100 / (200 + 100) = 33.3% chance

If you think the real chance of winning is higher than what the odds say, maybe it’s a good spot to bet. That’s a big part of finding value on the moneyline.

How to Place a Moneyline Bet

To bet the moneyline, pick your sportsbook, find the event, and enter your stake. Understanding the odds and checking them at a few sites helps you get the best bang for your buck.

Step-by-Step Process

First, log in to your sportsbook or sign up if you haven’t already. Double-check that it’s legal and safe.

Head to the sport and game you want. Look for the moneyline market—it’ll show odds for each side to win.

Click the odds for your pick to add it to your bet slip.

Type in how much you want to bet. The slip should show what you could win, including your stake and profit.

Give everything a quick look, then confirm. Once you place it, you’re locked in at those odds.

If your pick wins, the sportsbook credits your account. Lose, and your stake is gone. That’s just how it goes.

Choosing a Sportsbook

Pick a sportsbook that’s legal where you live and regulated by someone reputable. That way, you know you’ll get fair odds and your money’s safe.

Check the details on deposits, withdrawals, and promos. If the rules are fuzzy or payouts are slow, maybe look elsewhere.

See if the site’s easy to use. You shouldn’t have to dig around just to find moneyline bets.

Compare odds for the sports you like. Some books are better for certain leagues or types of bets.

Customer support matters, too. You want someone who’ll actually help if you run into issues.

Comparing Moneyline Markets

Odds can be different at each sportsbook, even for the same game. That’s called line shopping, and it can add up over time.

Say one book lists a team at +150, but another has them at +160. Bet $100 and you’d make $10 more with the second one. Why leave money on the table?

Always check at least a couple of sites before placing your bet, especially on underdogs. Those small differences can mean bigger wins.

Also, watch if a sportsbook changes odds fast after news breaks, like a player injury. Sometimes you can catch a better line if you’re quick, but it can go the other way, too.

Moneyline Betting in Different Sports

The rules for moneyline bets don’t change, but how odds are set depends on the sport. Scoring, matchups, and league quirks all play a role in payouts and how you should approach your bets.

NFL Moneyline Bets

In the NFL, you just pick who wins. The score doesn’t matter—just the winner.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs sit at -150 against the San Francisco 49ers, you’d need to bet $150 to win $100. If the 49ers are +130, a $100 bet wins you $130 if they pull it off.

NFL moneylines can get tight when teams are close in skill. Stuff like injuries, weather, or home field can move the odds before kickoff.

Plenty of people stick to moneylines in close matchups, especially in the playoffs where games can get weird.

NBA, MLB, and NHL Moneyline Examples

NBA moneylines can bounce all over, especially if a star player sits out. That alone can flip the odds.

In baseball, the starting pitcher can swing the moneyline a lot. A great pitcher might make a so-so team the favorite for a night.

In hockey, since games are usually low-scoring, underdogs win more often than you’d expect compared to sports where teams rack up points.

Sport	Common Moneyline Factor	Example Impact
NBA	Star player injury	Odds swing sharply
MLB	Starting pitcher	Can flip favorite/underdog
NHL	Low scoring	More underdog wins

Soccer and Three-Way Moneyline

Soccer usually uses a three-way moneyline because regular-season matches can end in a draw. You can bet on Team A win, Team B win, or Draw.

If you bet on a team to win and the match ends in a draw, you lose your bet. This works differently than the two-way moneylines you’ll see in most U.S. sports.

For example, if Manchester United is +120, Chelsea is +200, and Draw is +230, you’re choosing between three separate bets.

Some sportsbooks offer a “draw no bet” option. If the match ends tied, they’ll refund your stake. It’s less risky but also lowers the possible payout.

Calculating Payouts and Odds Formats

When you place a moneyline bet, the odds format changes how you read the wager and how you figure out your potential payout. If you understand each format and see how sportsbooks add their margin, you’ll make sharper betting decisions.

American, Decimal, and Fractional Odds

American odds use a plus (+) or minus (-) sign. A minus sign points to the favorite and tells you how much you need to risk to win $100. A plus sign marks the underdog and shows how much you’d win from a $100 bet.

Decimal odds show the total payout per $1 wagered, including your original stake. For example, odds of 2.50 mean a $10 bet returns $25 total ($15 profit + $10 stake).

Fractional odds are common in the UK. They show profit relative to stake. Odds of 5/2 mean you win $5 for every $2 wagered, plus your stake back.

Format	Example	Meaning
American	-150	Bet $150 to win $100
American	+200	Bet $100 to win $200
Decimal	1.67	$1 returns $1.67 total
Fractional	5/2	$2 returns $7 total ($5 profit)

Payout Calculation Examples

For favorites with negative odds:
Formula: Profit = Stake ÷ (Odds ÷ 100)
Example: -150 odds, $60 bet – $60 ÷ (150 ÷ 100) = $40 profit.

For underdogs with positive odds:
Formula: Profit = Stake × (Odds ÷ 100)
Example: +200 odds, $50 bet – $50 × (200 ÷ 100) = $100 profit.

Your total payout is profit plus your original stake.
Example: +200 odds, $50 bet – $100 profit + $50 stake = $150 total payout.

Decimal odds make this easier: just multiply your stake by the decimal. A $50 bet at 2.50 odds – $125 total payout.

With fractional odds, multiply your stake by the numerator and divide by the denominator. A $50 bet at 5/2 – $50 × (5 ÷ 2) = $125 total payout.

The Role of Vig in Moneyline Betting

The vig (or juice) is the sportsbook’s built-in margin. It’s how the book makes money no matter who wins.

You can find the vig by converting each side’s odds to implied probability and adding them up. Any total over 100% is the vig.

Example: -150 favorite (60%) and +130 underdog (43.48%) – total 103.48%. The 3.48% above 100% is the vig.

A lower vig means better value for you. Try to reduce vig by line shopping – compare odds across sportsbooks, or use promotions like odds boosts.

Moneyline Strategies and Tips

Winning at moneyline betting depends on how well you evaluate matchups, watch the market, and jump on in-game chances. Having the right info, staying disciplined, and timing your bets can really separate a solid bettor from a lucky guesser.

Handicapping and Research

Start with team and player form. Check recent results, scoring trends, and defense. A team on a hot streak with consistent stats is usually more reliable than one that’s all over the place.

Look at head-to-head history. Some teams just seem to have another’s number, whether it’s about style or mindset. This can matter when betting lines are tight.

Keep track of injuries, suspensions, and lineup changes. Missing key players can move the betting market fast. If you spot this before the odds shift, you might grab some value.

When you can, compare several data points – form, matchup history, and roster news – before betting. Relying on just one angle rarely works out long term.

Line Movement and Market Factors

Betting lines move as sportsbooks react to betting volume, injury reports, and public sentiment. Keep an eye on the shifts – they can show you where the market leans.

If a favorite’s odds get shorter (say, -150 to -170), heavy action is probably coming in on that side. Maybe that’s sharp money or just a bunch of folks backing a big name.

Line shopping matters. Different books might offer slightly different odds for the same game. Even a small edge adds up over time.

Watch out for public bias. Popular teams draw casual money, which can skew lines away from real value. Sometimes, betting against the hype pays off.

Live Betting Considerations

Live betting lets you jump in with moneyline wagers after the game starts. Sometimes you want to see how teams look before you commit.

Notice momentum shifts. If an underdog comes out swinging, you might catch a good price before the market reacts.

Use live betting to hedge your pre-game bets. If your pick looks shaky, you can bet the other side to soften the blow.

Pace and fatigue matter, especially in basketball or hockey. Late-game legs can decide things, and sometimes, that’s where you’ll find a sneaky-good live bet.

Popular Sportsbooks for Moneyline Bets

You can place moneyline bets at many licensed sportsbooks with competitive odds, easy-to-use interfaces, and fast payouts. Each site does things a little differently – odds formats, promos, and tools vary – so it’s worth poking around to see what fits you best.

BetOnline Sportsbook

BetOnline keeps things clean and simple, so reading and placing moneyline bets feels pretty straightforward. You can switch between American, decimal, or fractional odds, which is handy if you have a preference.

They often offer boosted odds for big games, which bumps up your potential payout a bit. You can also toss moneyline picks into a parlay if you’re feeling bold.

BetOnline moves its lines quickly when the game changes. If you like live betting, you’ll appreciate being able to react in real time. The mobile app works smoothly and makes it easy to bet from anywhere you’re allowed.

Bovada Sportsbook

Bovada Sportsbook is known for its user-friendly layout and fast bet placement. Finding moneyline markets for both big and obscure sports is easy, even for same-day events.

The platform often gives out “No Sweat” first bets, where you get a refund in site credit if your first bet loses. Not a bad way to try moneyline betting with less risk.

Bovada puts game previews and stats right on the bet slip page, so you don’t have to jump between tabs. The live betting section updates odds fast, which helps if you want to tweak your bets mid-game.

SportsBetting.ag Sportsbook

SportsBetting.ag offers a wide variety of moneyline markets, including international leagues and less popular sports. You can sort by sport, league, or event date, making it easy to find your game.

The Edit My Bet feature stands out. You can change or cash out your wager before the event wraps up, which is handy if you want to lock in a profit or limit a loss.

SportsBetting.ag often runs moneyline-focused promos like parlay boosts or insurance deals. The app and website show clear odds and payout info, so you know what you’re getting before you click confirm.

BetUS Sportsbook

BetUS Sportsbook shines with its rewards program. You earn points on every bet, even moneylines, and can trade them for bonuses or perks at BetUS properties.

They cover all the major U.S. sports and a bunch of international events. Odds are usually competitive, and sometimes you’ll see lines posted here before other books.

BetUS shows betting trends so you can see how others are betting on a moneyline. It’s interesting, but don’t let it replace your own research. Both desktop and mobile versions are simple and quick for getting your bets in.

EveryGame Sportsbook

EveryGame is known for its huge sports selection, so if you want moneyline bets on everything from big leagues to niche events, it’s a solid call. You can switch odds formats with a single click.

The live betting area is a highlight, with quick odds updates and even live streaming for a lot of games. That makes in-play moneyline betting a lot more engaging.

EveryGame sometimes offers early payout promotions for certain sports. If your team grabs a big lead, your moneyline bet might pay out before the final whistle. The site is easy to navigate, and the search tool helps you find games fast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Moneyline betting is all about picking the outright winner. The odds show how much you can win or need to risk, and they shift depending on who’s favored or the underdog.

What does it mean when a money line is positive?

A positive money line shows how much profit you can make on a $100 bet. For example, +150 means you’d win $150 if you bet $100 and your pick wins. Positive numbers usually mean the underdog.

How do you calculate potential winnings on a money line bet?

For positive odds, multiply your bet amount by the odds divided by 100. For example, a $50 bet at +200 gives you $100 profit.

For negative odds, divide 100 by the odds’ absolute value, then multiply by your bet amount to find the profit.

What is the difference between betting on the money line versus the point spread?

A money line bet just means picking the winner. The margin doesn’t matter.

With a point spread, you add or subtract points from a team’s score for betting purposes. The team has to “cover” the spread for your bet to win.

How does betting on the money line in football work?

You pick which team you think will win outright. Odds show the perceived strength of each team.

Favorites have negative odds, underdogs have positive odds. Your payout depends on the odds and your bet size.

What implications does a negative money line carry for the bettor?

A negative money line means the team is the favorite. The number shows how much you need to bet to win $100 in profit.

For example, -150 means you have to bet $150 to win $100. Your total return is your original stake plus profit.

Can you explain the money line betting system in basketball?

In basketball, the money line works just like it does in other sports – you simply pick which team you think will win.

Basketball odds usually take into account team matchups, injuries, and how teams have been playing lately. Since games have a lot of scoring, point spreads show up a lot, but some folks still prefer the straightforward nature of money lines.