• Whereas a typical moneyline bet involves a bet on one of two options, three-way moneyline betting involves three options. When wagering on a three-way moneyline, you can bet either Team A to win.
• A moneyline wager is a straight bet on the winner of a game. There are no point spreads attached or any other factors to consider. The sole concern is which side will win the contest. After taking a look at the.

• What Is The Moneyline In Nfl Betting
• In Betting What Is The Moneyline Super Bowl
• How To Read Moneyline Odds

The sports betting menu is crowded with choices. Some of the wagering opportunities you’ll come across are a bit on the advanced side, but there are also ones which are straightforward and easy to wrap your head around.

Moneyline bets fall into the latter category. For these wagers, you’re simply choosing the winner of the game. That’s it. There’s no point spread to worry about or anything like that. If the side you pick wins the game, you’re golden.

While the concept itself is simple, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the moneyline. There are times when the bets make sense, situations where you should pass, and other scenarios in which you may want to do a little shopping.

Moneyline Betting. Placing a bet of $180 to receive $100 on a Clippers win. A wager that there will be over or under 215.5 points scored in the match, with equal returns for either outcome (an. What is the Moneyline? A moneyline bet is picking which team will win a game. Moneyline bets are by far the most popular type of sports bet that you can make. What’s great about moneyline bets is that they are not only simple enough for beginner sports bettors to understand.

We’re going to take a detailed look at everything you need to know right here. For starters, here are the best spots to place your bets online legally and safely.

How Does the Moneyline Work?

After a quick glance at the moneyline odds, you will immediately know which side is the favorite or the underdog in a game. Oddsmakers will attach odds to both sides of the equation.

The favorite will be designated with negative odds, while the underdog will have positive odds attached. Here’s what they’ll look like at an online sportsbook using a random NFL game as an example.

• Los Angeles Rams +110
• San Francisco 49ers -130

In this fictitious game, the 49ers are favored, and bets on that side will pay out at odds of -130 if correct. For the underdog Rams, successful bets on that side pay out at odds of +110.

So how do the odds impact what the actual return will be. Here’s the math on both sides for a $100 wager.

• $100 bet at odds of +110 = potential total return of $210 (the original $100 bet plus a profit of $110).
• $100 bet at odds of -130 = potential total return of $176.90 (the original $100 stake plus a profit of $76.90).

As you can see, a successful bet at positive odds offers the chance for greater returns than successful bets at negative odds.

However, that doesn’t mean you should randomly place your wagers on underdogs and hope for the best. Normal handicapping rules apply with moneyline betting, and the goal is to place your bets on the side you feel gives you the greatest chance of being right.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline wager is a straight bet on the winner of a game. There are no point spreads attached or any other factors to consider. The sole concern is which side will win the contest.

After taking a look at the moneyline odds for a game you’re interested in betting on, you’ll know which side is expected to win. The favorite will have negative odds attached, while the underdog has positive odds.

Once you know that, the task at hand is to handicap the game and figure out which side you like. We’ll cover some tips on handicapping in a bit. For now, just know that it’s not as complex as it may sound.

Returns are going to vary based on which side you bet on. In a nutshell, you’ll see larger returns for correct bets on underdogs, but you shouldn’t let that be the determining factor on your choices.

There will be times when you find that the underdog makes the most sense, but there will also be plenty of times when you come up with the favorite as the answer to the question.

It can be helpful to be selective with which wagers you place on the moneyline. We’ll be covering that in more detail as we move along.

Betting on Favorites vs. Underdogs

When looking at moneyline odds, the favorite and the underdog will be readily apparent.

• Chicago Bulls +120
• Houston Rockets -140

What Is The Moneyline In Nfl Betting

In this fictitious NBA matchup, the Rockets are a decent-sized favorite. You’ll see less of a return for betting on that side as a result, while successful wagers on the underdog Bulls would see a bigger return.

Once again, it’s important not to let the potential return be your guide. Making the correct call is the bottom line, so your choices should revolve around which side you think has the greater chance to win.

To that end, it can be helpful to break down the game first prior to worrying about what the potential return will be. After you do this enough times, you’ll be able to figure out the range of returns quickly anyway, and that can help you be more selective with your choices.

For example, you may find that huge favorites are relatively safe wagers, but that the returns aren’t what you have in mind on a long-term basis. As such, you make a concerted effort to look for other opportunities first, such as favorites at odds of -180 or less.

After breaking down enough games on the other side, you’ll begin to understand that huge underdogs are that way for a reason. Sure, they’ll come in here and there, but solely focusing on big underdogs and hoping for a big score is not a recipe for a healthy bankroll.

Balance is a big key with moneyline betting, and the ultimate return on investment is the bottom line to focus on.

Examples of Moneyline Betting

Moneyline odds are offered for all of the major North American sports. The odds are presented in the same way for each, so you’ll be able to interpret them quickly.

For example, here’s a moneyline for an MLB game with a huge favorite.

• San Francisco Giants +180
• Los Angeles Dodgers -220

At first glance, you can quickly tell that the Dodgers have a big advantage for this contest, such as a stronger overall team or a substantial edge in pitching.

Now, let’s take a look at an NHL contest which has much tighter odds.

• Boston Bruins +100
• Montreal Canadiens -120

After looking at this game, we can reasonably assume that these two squads are relatively even. The Canadiens are favored, but the gap in odds is far from substantial.

For basketball and football, point spread bets receive a ton of attention, but there’s also moneyline betting for these two sports. A common misconception is that there’s not enough value to be found on the moneyline in comparison to the spread.

If you solely focus on big favorites, that’s true. However, there are plenty of games in which the moneyline odds are tight. When you look at the point spread for these contests, you can quickly see which ones may have favorable moneyline odds.

As an example, a point spread of 2.5 points or less is a good indicator of a tight game. That being the case, the moneyline odds will have decent value on both sides that’s worth exploring.

Moneyline Betting on Close Games

Speaking of close games, you’ll come across many of these on the odds board regardless of which sport you’re focused on. When evenly-matched teams square off, it can be close to a toss-up in terms of which side will win.

Oddsmakers recognize this, and they will price the games accordingly. For example, in a really tight NFL game, you could see moneyline odds like this.

• Minnesota Vikings -105
• New Orleans Saints -115

When the odds are in such a close range, the difference in return is pretty small. However, that doesn’t mean you should flip a coin and hope for the best.

You’ll still be handicapping the game in search of a winner. It doesn’t matter how even teams may seem at first glance or according to the odds. There are almost always points of difference to be found, and you can always pass on those that are legitimately too close to call.

Moneyline Bet Odds and Line Moves

When odds are released for a slate of games, these are known as the opening lines. After they’re out, the betting public has a chance to weigh in.

Depending on how the action comes in, this can lead to a shift in lines. For example, if lots of money comes in on the favorite, odds on that side will rise in a bid to even out the action.

For bookmakers, the goal is to not be too lopsided one way or the other. If they get a ton of bets on one side and few on the other, that opens up liability on their end. To limit situations such as this, they will adjust the odds where needed in a bid to attract action on the other side.

Lines can also move based on new information that emerges after the initial release. A lineup change, trade, or previously undisclosed injury are among the things which can have an impact.

A good rule of thumb is to examine any changes from the opening line to the time you are ready to place your bets. This can point you to what the overall market sentiment is on the game, and also potentially alert you that there’s some news out there that you may have missed.

Moneyline shopping – What is it, how do you do it?

All odds are not created equal. While major sportsbook operators are typically in range, you can find some ticks of difference, especially on the moneyline.

In general, the differences won’t be eye-popping. Bookmakers that are far off the beaten path will stick out like a sore thumb. As a result, bettors will quickly jump on that line and bring it back more to the level of the general consensus.

To find these points of difference, you’ll need to engage in what’s known as line shopping. This refers to checking the odds and lines at different sportsbooks in a quest to find the best price.

If you were going to buy something online and found differing prices in a few different spots, you would naturally gravitate towards the better deal. It’s the same thing with sports betting odds.

For example, if one book is offering odds of -140 on a favorite, but another book is at -130, the better deal is at the latter. You’ll get a better return there for placing your wager on that particular game.

How to Handicap Moneyline Bets

Handicapping games can sound formidable when you’re unfamiliar with the concept. However, it can actually be a simple process if you allow it to be.

It can be quite easy to get lost in research, and that can make it just as simple to get overwhelmed with information. Especially when starting out, keep it simple and focus on the things that really matter.

Here’s a simple five-point plan that you can use as a starting point.

• The odds and lines for the game. What is this telling you?
• Overall strength of the two teams. Is there a marked difference between the squads?
• Home/road splits. How do the two teams perform in the role they have for this game?
• Key Stats. Points for and against, and other sport-specific stats that really make a difference in the outcome.
• Recent Play. Is one team playing much better than the other recently?

The process gets quicker the more times you go through it. Once you have a handle on it, you can begin to tweak and personalize it to your specifications, such as by adding more stats into the equation that you feel really impact the outcome.

The Bottom Line on Moneyline Betting

Moneyline bets are straight forward wagers in which you are simply deciding which side you think will win. For each game on the docket, oddsmakers will designate a favorite and underdog.

Which side is which will be reflected in the odds. Favorites will have negative odds, while the underdog will have positive odds. The odds tell us the likelihood of something happening, as well as what the potential return will be for our wagers.

Moneyline odds are found for all of the major sports. The odds can shift based on market action, as well as news which may develop after the initial release.

There are a number of different systems for handicapping moneyline odds. We’ve included a simple one here in this article which you can use as a starting point. As you advance with sports betting, you’ll be able to implement your own system and tweak as needed.

A good part of the enormous appeal of sports is that it is a results-oriented business. Heading into a game, there’s plenty of time to research in a bid to figure out what may happen.

Once the game plays out and the final whistle blows, the result is in the books and there’s a winner and a loser. That’s when it’s time to analyze what happened and why.

All of that translates over quite nicely to sports betting too. That’s a bottom-line business as well, and a moneyline bet is the most cut and dried of them all.

The only thing you need to worry about is picking the winner of the game. If you manage to do so, you’ll earn a profit on your wager.

Afterward, you can rinse and repeat and try again. Moneyline is a great entry point for those new to betting, and a staple in the playbook for many seasoned handicappers. Here’s what you need to know.

What is the moneyline in sports betting?

A moneyline bet is among the simplest sports wagers you’ll find. The only requirement is to pick the winner of the game and that’s it.

There are no additional points to worry about or any other extraneous circumstances. Betting on the moneyline is simply about winners and losers.

It’s a standard offering at sportsbooks and generally among the featured listings in the main betting lobby for online and mobile platforms.

For an example, let’s take a look at a standard listing for an Indianapolis Colts game.

We can see that the Jaguars are set to take on the Colts, who are pretty hefty 9.5-point favorites. To the right of the spread we see the moneyline odds, which also reflect the fact that Indianapolis is a big favorite.

To bet on either side in this game, you simply click on the box for your choice. If you click on the Colts at moneyline odds of -390, that choice will automatically be added to the betting ticket.

From there, it’s just a matter of typing in the amount of your bet and clicking submit. For your reference, a standard $100 bet at moneyline odds of -390 would return $125.60 — the original stake plus winnings of $25.60.

Moneyline betting odds explained

The odds listings for moneyline are generally very straightforward as well. The favorite for a game will be designated with negative odds, while the odds will be positive on the underdog side.

• Cleveland Cavaliers +155
• Indiana Pacers -175

In the above example, the odds tell us that the Pacers are a clear favorite over the Cavaliers. We can dig into the game further from this point and then make our choice.

To understand what the potential return would be, we can plug in a bet on the slip and make sure we don’t hit submit. Here’s what the math looks like.

• A $100 winning bet on the Cavaliers at odds of +155 would return a total of $255 — the stake plus a profit of $155.
• A $100 winning bet on the Pacers at odds of -175 returns a total of $157.10 — the amount of the initial bet plus winnings of $57.10.

As you can see, betting on underdogs can be potentially more lucrative, but don’t let that be the driving force behind your decision-making.

The idea is to win more often than you lose when it comes to betting and to make a profit along the way. As such, your choices should be determined by which side you feel most confident about.

Many sets of moneyline odds will have clear favorites and underdogs, but there are times when the game sets up as closer than that. Here’s an example.

• Columbus Blue Jackets -105
• Pittsburgh Penguins -115

As the oddsmakers see this NHL game, it’s close to being a toss-up. Both sides have negative odds to reflect that, and they may fluctuate as the game approaches based on market action. Here’s the potential return on both sides of the equation.

• A $100 winning bet on the Blue Jackets at odds of -105 would return a total of $195.20 — the stake plus a profit of $95.20.
• A $100 winning bet on the Penguins at odds of -115 returns a total of $187.00 — the amount of the initial bet plus winnings of $87.00.

Moneyline odds can help you quickly get a handle on a slate of games. You’ll know which side is expected to win, and after a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to figure out what type of returns you might see on winning bets.

The straightforward nature of the bet makes it an excellent place to begin for new bettors. At the same time, bettors with more experience can also lean on it for somewhat more predictable returns in comparison to other bet types.

How to bet on the moneyline

As with all of the bet types on the wagering menu, practice, patience and persistence can help cut down on the learning curve relatively quickly. To that end, let’s take a look at some examples of how to bet on the moneyline for several major sports.

NFL moneyline betting

In terms of overall betting volume, the NFL is the most popular offering at sportsbooks. While point spreads and totals attract plenty of attention, there’s also the opportunity to keep it simple and focus on the moneyline.

For a point spread, bettors need to factor in what’s basically an estimated margin of victory and choose the favorite or the underdog to “cover.” There’s no need to do that with the moneyline as it’s simply about which side will win.

• Houston Texans +120
• Indianapolis Colts -140

In the above example, the Colts are slight favorites over the Texans. A winning $100 bet on Houston would lead to a profit of $120, while a correct $100 bet on the Indianapolis side translates into winnings of $71.40.

NBA moneyline betting

The NBA is another of the most popular choices on the betting menu, and also a sport in which the spread and totals attract numerous bets. Moneyline is also offered, so bettors therefore have the option to bottom-line the contest and merely worry about which side will win.

• Detroit Pistons +110
• Indiana Pacers -130

A glance at the odds board tells us that the Pacers are the favorites, but the tight range also lets us know that the game is expected to be pretty close.

If we place a $100 bet on the Pistons side and they go on to win, we’ll be rewarded with winnings of $110. For a correct $100 bet on Indiana, the return would be $76.90.

MLB moneyline betting

Moneyline is the most popular bet type for MLB. There’s a run line option as well, but the standard is set at 1.5, meaning that the winning side needs to win by more than that while the underdog can cover by keeping it closer than that margin.

The starting pitching matchup is the biggest driver for the odds you’ll see displayed each day. When a big mismatch looks like it’s on tap, that’ll be reflected in the odds you’ll see.

• Seattle Mariners +190
• New York Yankees -240

The odds are telling us that the Yankees are really big favorites, so it’ll be quite the upset if the Mariners are able to pull this one out.

Naturally, your research may tell you different, so be sure to take the time to break down the games as opposed to just randomly picking huge favorites and calling it a day.

A $100 winning bet on Seattle at odds of +190 would deliver a profit of $190, while a winning $100 bet on the New York side would net $41.70.

NHL moneyline betting

Betting on the NHL is similar to MLB. There’s a puck line that’s typically set at 1.5 for each game, but moneyline is the biggest driver for betting action.

The regular season is a grind for all sports, and upsets happen on every slate of games as a result. It’s important to remember that the odds are pointing you toward the most likely outcome based on the information at hand.

• Ottawa Senators +135
• Toronto Maple Leafs -155

According to the odds, the Maple Leafs should win this game. However, closer examination could tell you a different story. In short, don’t be shy about digging in to spot potential upsets, as hitting on some of them can make a big difference for your bankroll.

For this example game, a winning $100 bet on the Senators returns $135, while a correct $100 bet on Toronto would result in a return of $64.50.

College basketball moneyline betting

For experienced handicappers, college basketball is an incredibly popular sport. The point spread attracts tons of attention, but there are also returns to be found on the moneyline.

Moneyline is also a great way to break in for those who are looking to get in on the action with a new sport. As opposed to worrying about what the final margin of the game will be, moneyline bettors only need to focus on which side is going to win.

• Wisconsin +120
• Indiana -140

After getting a good handle on the moneyline and breaking down games, branching out into other wager types such as spreads and totals will be less challenging.

For this example, a winning $100 bet on the Wisconsin side returns $120, while a correct $100 wager on Indiana leads to a profit of $71.40.

College football moneyline betting

Saturdays in the fall and winter are the most wonderful time of the year for many sports fans, and numerous bettors share that sentiment. There are plenty of seasoned bettors who have made college football their top sport to key in on.

The weekly schedules are chock full of choices. While there are a number of marquee matchups each week, there are also lots of mismatches between powerhouse programs and smaller schools.

• The Citadel +325
• Alabama -450

Alabama is a huge favorite for this contest and expected to have its way with The Citadel. While there are no sure things in sports betting, this could be a proverbial layup for moneyline bettors.

However, if The Citadel pulls out an upset for the ages, then $100 bettors on that side are looking at a stellar return of $325. For Alabama bettors, a winning $100 bet means a profit of $22.20.

While that may not sound terribly exciting, the opportunity to make a profit of 22.2% is nothing to sneeze at. Some bettors may dismiss smaller returns as not being worthy of their time, but they can absolutely add up over the course of a season.

Finding the best moneyline odds

All sportsbooks offer moneyline betting, but not all of the odds are created equal. While most of the major operators are in range in terms of what they offer to the public, there are ticks of difference to be found.

After bets start getting placed following the initial release of lines, oddsmakers may tweak the odds in a bid to even out the action. As a result, the moneyline odds can be a bit different at one operator in comparison to another.

You can easily spot these discrepancies if you engage in a practice that has come to be known as line shopping. This means that you are checking out the odds at multiple books while hunting for the best price.

For an example, let’s consider an NFL game in which the Kansas City Chiefs are a consensus favorite over the Las Vegas Raiders. Here’s what the odds look like at one operator.

• Las Vegas Raiders +135
• Kansas City Chiefs -155

You do some shopping and notice that another book is offering this game at a different price.

• Las Vegas Raiders +125
• Kansas City Chiefs -145

While this may not seem like a huge difference, it can absolutely add up. Let’s consider the differences for a winning $100 bet on the Chiefs side at both sets of odds.

• At odds of -155, the profit is $64.50.
• At odds of -145, the profit is $69.00.

By shopping around a bit, you have put yourself in line to earn an extra $4.50. While that doesn’t move the needle all on its own, turning that trick a few times over the course of an NFL season can be a boon to the bottom line.

In today’s connected world in which numerous operators are easily accessible online and via mobile, line shopping is really simple. It’s worth taking the time to do it to make sure you are putting yourself in position to earn the best returns possible.

Handicapping the moneyline

Overall, the moneyline is a great simple bet to focus on for sports betting. However, that doesn’t mean you can just wing it and hope to come out ahead in the long run.

There’s some legwork to be done with moneyline betting, but there are also different approaches you can take. That’s one of the many great things about sports betting: there’s no one size fits all approach, and many different paths can lead you to success.

In Betting What Is The Moneyline Super Bowl

For some bettors, the answer is to lean on some trusted resources and then to form their own opinion from there. Some will pay for picks and advice, while others will dive in and handicap themselves.

The approach you choose is ultimately up to you, but it’s a good idea to have a good handle on the basics of handicapping regardless. Beyond just teaching you how to break down the games, this can also help you to spot opinions that may be way off the mark.

Here’s a quick and simple process you can use to form the basis of your own research.

• Study the odds: You need to know what the odds board is telling you and respect it. The big favorites are where they are for a reason, as are the long shots. Don’t overthink it, but also don’t let that discourage you from digging deeper. After all, you may uncover something that others are missing as you conduct your own research.
• Realistically assess the teams: It’s important to clear the head of preconceived notions and any rooting interests before breaking down a game. If you can’t do that, just pass and move on to another game. Take a detailed look at the teams involved and consider their strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, the side that is stronger overall should become apparent.
• Pay attention to recent form: Momentum is a big factor on the field of play, and that’s also true for stretches during lengthy regular seasons. Top squads can go on downswings, while also-rans can get it together as the year moves along. Pay close attention to how teams have performed over their most recent games for clues on what may be to come in the near future.
• News and notes: For each game that you plan on betting on, it’s imperative to take the time to review the news and notes surrounding the game. The news cycle moves fast in the world of sports, and there are often many useful nuggets to be found. Pay particularly close attention to player injuries, playing time issues and comments from coaches.

How To Read Moneyline Odds

Taking the time to go through these four simple steps can help put you ahead of the curve. Once you get a handle on the process, you can expand your routine and dig in even deeper with advanced stats and metrics.