What are Moneyline Bets in Sports Betting?

Moneyline betting is the most straightforward form of sports wagering—you simply pick who you think will win. No point spreads. No margins. Just winners and losers. Whether you're betting on a heavy favorite or backing an underdog, understanding how moneyline odds work is essential for any sports bettor.

💵 What Are Moneyline Bets?

A moneyline bet is a wager on the outright winner of a game or event. It doesn’t matter how much they win by—just that they win.

• Favorites are shown with a minus sign (e.g., -150) and require you to bet more to win less.
• Underdogs are shown with a plus sign (e.g., +200) and reward you with higher payouts for a correct pick.

Example:

• Yankees -160: Bet $160 to win $100
• Red Sox +140: Bet $100 to win $140

🔄 How to Read Moneyline Odds

American Odds Format

• Negative Odds (-): The amount you need to wager to win $100.
• Positive Odds (+): The amount you'd win on a $100 wager.

Calculating Payouts

• For -150, you bet $150 to win $100.
• For +200, you bet $100 to win $200.

Use an odds calculator to determine exact payouts for your bet amount.

🔍 When to Bet Moneyline

Moneyline bets are best when:

• You believe the underdog has a real shot at an upset.
• The spread is unclear or too risky.
• You want a simple "who wins?" approach.

Tip:

Avoid large favorites unless you're very confident or combining them in parlays—the risk-to-reward ratio is usually not in your favor.

🧠 Strategy Tips for Moneyline Betting

• Shop the Line: Compare odds across sportsbooks for best value.
• Track Line Movement: Odds may shift based on injuries, news, or betting trends.
• Look for Live Betting Opportunities: In-game momentum can shift odds dramatically.
• Know Your Sport: Underdogs pull off upsets more frequently in certain sports (e.g., MLB, NHL).

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Blindly Picking Favorites: Low payout, high risk if upset occurs.
• Ignoring Context: Injuries, rest days, travel, and weather can all affect outcomes.
• Overvaluing Hot Streaks: Past performance doesn't always guarantee future success.

Real-World Example

Game: Chiefs vs. Raiders

Moneyline Odds:

• Chiefs -200
• Raiders +170
• Bet $200 on Chiefs to win $100
• Bet $100 on Raiders to win $170

If the Chiefs win, a $200 bet earns you $100. If the Raiders pull off the upset, a $100 bet wins $170.

🎯 Making the Most of Moneyline Betting

Moneyline bets offer the simplest path into sports betting—just pick the winner. But behind the simplicity lies a nuanced understanding of risk, reward, and probability. Whether you’re betting favorites for safer wins or underdogs for bigger payouts, mastering the moneyline gives you a strong foundation for building your betting strategy.

🔗 Related Guides

• Favorites & Underdogs
• Odds in Sports Betting
• Spread Bets
• Over/Under Totals Bets
• Parlay Bets
• Same Game Parlays