What Is A Moneyline Bet? How to, Odds and Examples

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet is a sports wager where the bettor picks the team or athlete they believe will win a specific game or event. Unlike point spread betting, moneyline betting does not involve handicaps for the underdog and is based solely on the game’s outcome. The bettor simply chooses the winner and places a bet on their selection.

The betting odds for moneyline bets are shown with either a plus or minus sign, which signifies the likelihood of each team winning. A plus sign indicates the underdog, whereas a minus sign indicates the favorite.

In general, moneyline betting is a straightforward and uncomplicated method for betting on sports, which is why it is a favored choice among both new and seasoned bettors.

The favorite

In moneyline betting, favorites are represented by negative numbers, which signify the amount needed to bet in order to win $100. For instance, if a team has moneyline odds of -150, you would have to bet $150 to win $100 if that team is victorious. The negative symbol indicates that the team is expected to win the game or event.

The magnitude of the negative number reflects the degree to which the team is favored. A higher negative number signifies a greater likelihood of the team winning and a smaller potential payout if you bet on them. For instance, if a team has moneyline odds of -500, they are strongly favored, requiring a $500 bet to yield a $100 win in the event of victory.

The underdog

On the other hand, underdogs are represented by a positive number. This positive number shows the potential winnings if you bet $100 on that team and they emerge victorious. For instance, with moneyline odds of +200 for a team, you would win $200 by betting $100 on them and them winning the game or event. The positive symbol signifies that the team is viewed as less likely to win the game or event.

The magnitude of the positive number determines the level of the team’s underdog status. A larger positive number signifies a greater underdog status and a higher potential payout for a successful bet. For instance, a team with moneyline odds of +500 is considered a substantial underdog, and a $100 bet on them would yield a $500 profit if they emerge victorious in the game or event.

Even or Pick ’em

In moneyline betting, a “pick ’em” occurs when two teams or athletes are seen as equally likely to win, with no clear favorite or underdog. Both sides will have identical moneyline odds, often denoted as “Even” or “even money.”

In a “pick ’em” game, bettors only need to pick the team or athlete they believe will win, without any handicap or point spread. If the bet is successful, the payout is typically even money, resulting in the bettor winning the same amount they bet.

Choosing pick ’em games can be thrilling for sports bettors due to the close matchups with no clear favorite or underdog, resulting in a more unpredictable outcome. It is crucial to keep in mind that in pick ’em scenarios, there is still a possibility of a tie or push, where the game concludes in a draw or with a margin of victory that precisely matches the point spread or handicap, leading to a refund of the initial bet.

How to Bet the Moneyline

Follow these steps to place a moneyline bet:

1. Choose a sportsbook. Seek out a sports betting site of choice that offers moneyline betting on the sport and event you want to wager on. There are many online sportsbooks available – and we’ve done the legwork for you with our list of the best sportsbooks!
2. Select the game or event. Find the matchup you want to bet on and identify the moneyline odds for each team, athlete or outcome.
3. Choose your bet: Decide which team, athlete or outcome you want to bet on, then decide on the amount of your wager. Moneyline betting is straightforward: you only need to pick the winner of the game or event.
4. Place your bet: Enter the amount you want to wager and confirm your bet. If you are betting online, follow the prompts to submit your bet. If you’re betting in person, hand your bet slip to the cashier and make your payment.
5. Wait for the outcome. Once the game or event is over, check the results to see if your bet was a winner. If your bet was successful, you will receive a payout based on the moneyline odds for the team or athlete you chose. If the bet was voided or a push, you’ll receive a deposit in the amount of your original wager.

Moneylines vs. point spreads

Moneylines and point spreads are commonly used in sports betting and have their own pros and cons.

Moneyline betting is a simple way to wager on the result of a game or event without the complication of point spreads or handicaps. Bettors just have to select the winning team, and their payout is based on the moneyline odds. This type of betting is commonly used in sports such as baseball and hockey, where scores are typically lower, and one goal or run can have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.

Point spread betting involves a handicap or point spread that is either added to the score of the favored team or subtracted from the score of the underdog. Bettors must choose which team will cover the point spread by either winning by more than the spread or losing by less than the spread. This type of betting is popular in sports like football and basketball, where high scores and blowouts are frequent.

In general, the decision to use moneyline or point spread betting hinges on individual preference, the sport being wagered on, and the specific game or event. Moneyline betting is straightforward and uncomplicated, whereas point spread betting provides additional choices and the possibility of greater payouts.

The three types of outcomes on a moneyline bet

There are three potential results of a moneyline bet:

• Win: If the team or athlete you bet on wins the game or event, you win your bet.
• Loss: If the team or athlete you bet on loses the game or event, you lose your bet.
• Push or tie: In some cases, the game or event may end in a tie or with a margin of victory that exactly matches the point spread or handicap. In this case, the bet is considered a push or a tie, and the original wager is refunded to the bettor. However, it is important to note that in some sports, such as soccer or tennis, a tie or draw is a possible outcome and may not result in a push.

Moneyline Line Shopping

Moneyline line shopping involves comparing moneyline odds from various sportsbooks to identify the most advantageous value for a specific bet. By taking note of the slight variations in moneyline odds offered by different sportsbooks for the same game or event, bettors can improve their chances of securing a profitable outcome.

If one sportsbook has a moneyline of -150 for a favorite team and another has -130, it might be better for the bettor to place their bet with the second sportsbook. This is because they have the potential to win more money with less risk.

Line shopping can be done either manually by comparing odds at different sportsbooks or using specialized tools and software to quickly identify the best odds. While it may be time-consuming and require opening accounts at multiple sportsbooks, line shopping can ultimately lead to increased profits in the long run.

What are Moneyline Parlays?

Moneyline parlays involve combining multiple moneyline bets into one wager, offering the opportunity for a bigger payout. Bettors must accurately predict the winners of two or more games or events in order to win the bet. Including more games or events in the parlay increases the potential payout, but also raises the level of risk.

If a bettor wants to bet on three football games, they can create a moneyline parlay by picking the winners of all three games. If all three teams win, the bettor wins the parlay and gets a bigger payout than if they had made three separate moneyline bets. But if just one team loses, the entire parlay is lost, and the bettor doesn’t get any payout.

Moneyline parlays are a thrilling and potentially profitable way to bet on sports, but they come with risks since you need to correctly predict multiple winners. Before placing a moneyline parlay bet, it’s important for bettors to understand the odds and potential payouts. It’s advisable to only include games or events that you have thoroughly researched and feel confident about your selections.

What is a Moneyline Prop Bet?

A moneyline prop bet is a specific type of sports wager that hones in on a particular event or outcome within a game, rather than the final result. Prop bets, also known as proposition bets, involve predicting if a specific event will happen during a game, like the number of points a player will score, yards gained in a quarter, or the first team to score a touchdown.

A moneyline prop bet is a wager on the team or player expected to win a specific prop bet. For instance, a moneyline prop bet on the first player to score a touchdown in a football game might have odds of -110 for one player and +120 for another. If the bettor chooses the correct player who scores the first touchdown, they will win the bet and receive a payout determined by the moneyline odds.

Prop bets on the moneyline can bring an extra level of thrill to a game by allowing bettors to wager on specific events or outcomes. These bets can be trickier to predict than traditional moneyline bets due to unpredictable factors like individual player performance. It is important for bettors to thoroughly research and understand the odds and potential outcomes before placing a moneyline prop bet.

Moneyline Live Betting

Live moneyline betting, also referred to as in-play or in-game betting, is a form of sports wagering where bettors can place bets on a game or event that is currently happening. The odds for the moneyline can fluctuate during the game based on various factors such as the score and time remaining. This type of betting enables bettors to make real-time predictions on the game’s outcome and capitalize on any shifts in the odds.

In a football game, a team can start as a heavy favorite with a moneyline of -300, but if they fall behind early, their odds may shift to +200. Bettors who think the team will make a comeback can capitalize on the increased payout by placing a live moneyline bet on them.

Live moneyline betting can add an extra level of excitement to sports betting, as bettors can adjust their strategy and place bets based on how the game is unfolding in real-time. However, it can also be more challenging than traditional pre-game moneyline betting, as the odds are constantly changing, and quick decision-making is required. Bettors should have a good understanding of the sport, the teams, and the odds before placing live moneyline bets.