What is Moneyline in Betting?

0 Views
0 Comments
April 30, 2025

Moneyline betting is a type of wager where you pick which team or player will win a game or match—no point spreads, no margins, just a straight-up win or loss.

It’s the most straightforward form of sports betting, especially popular among beginners and seasoned bettors alike. It focuses on the outcome, whether football, basketball, baseball, or tennis.

Now that you know what a Moneyline bet is, let’s dig into it.

The Basics of Moneyline

The Moneyline bet asks one question: “Who do you think will win?” You choose the team or player you believe will come out on top. If your pick wins, so do you.

But where it gets interesting is in how the odds are presented:

Favorites are shown with a minus sign (-). This is the team expected to win.
Underdogs come with a plus sign (+). This is the less-favored team that offers a higher payout if they pull off an upset.

Example:

New York Yankees -150
Boston Red Sox +130

If you bet $150 on the Yankees (-150) and they win, you make a $100 profit.
If you bet $100 on the Red Sox (+130) and they win, you make a $130 profit.

This is where strategy meets simplicity.

How to Read and Calculate Moneyline Odds

Understanding how much you’ll win with different odds is crucial to smart betting. I’ll show you how.

For Negative Odds (Favorites):

Formula: (Amount Bet / Odds) x 100 = Profit

Example: Bet $200 on -200
(200 / 200) x 100 = $100 profit

For Positive Odds (Underdogs):

Formula: (Odds / 100) x Bet Amount = Profit

Example: Bet $100 on +180
(180 / 100) x 100 = $180 profit

When to Use a Moneyline Bet (and When Not To)

Not every betting scenario is Moneyline-friendly. But here’s when it shines:

Best Times to Use the Moneyline

Tight Matchups: When two teams are evenly matched, picking a winner without worrying about spreads can be smarter.
Low-Scoring Sports: Think baseball, hockey, or soccer—where scores are often close, making spread betting riskier.
Underdog Opportunities: When you believe an underdog has a real chance to win, the Moneyline offers much better payouts.
Parlays: Combining multiple Moneyline picks into a parlay can lead to massive returns if you’re confident in several winners.

When to Avoid

Heavy Favorites: Betting $300 to win $100? That’s risky. If the favorite slips up, you lose big.
High-Scoring Blowouts: In sports like basketball or football where spreads are easier to predict, you get better value with point spreads.

So, what is Moneyline in betting? It’s the most accessible, purest form of sports betting—a test of your ability to pick winners without overcomplicating things. Whether you're a casual bettor rooting for your favorite team or a seasoned gambler searching for underdog gold, the Moneyline deserves a spot in your strategy.

Also, explore the best sites with promotions and bonuses to boost your stake.