What is Moneyline?
The Foundation of Sports Betting
A moneyline bet is the simplest and most straightforward type of sports wager. You're simply betting on which team or player will win the game outright. No point spreads, no totals, no complications — just pick the winner.
Perfect for beginners: Moneyline bets are ideal for newcomers to sports betting because there's no learning curve. If your team wins, you win. If they lose, you lose. It's that simple.
How Moneyline Odds Work
Moneyline odds are displayed differently depending on whether a team is favored or an underdog:
Favorites (Negative Odds)
Shown with a minus sign (-). The number indicates how much you need to bet to win $100.
Example:
-150
Bet $150 to win $100
Underdogs (Positive Odds)
Shown with a plus sign (+). The number indicates how much you'd win on a $100 bet.
Example:
+130
Bet $100 to win $130
Real-World Examples
NFL Example: Chiefs vs. Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs -200
- • Bet $200 to win $100
- • Total return: $300 ($200 stake + $100 profit)
- • Implied probability: 66.7%
Las Vegas Raiders +170
- • Bet $100 to win $170
- • Total return: $270 ($100 stake + $170 profit)
- • Implied probability: 37.0%
NBA Example: Close Game
LA Lakers -115
- • Bet $115 to win $100
- • Total return: $215 ($115 stake + $100 profit)
- • Implied probability: 53.5%
Boston Celtics -105
- • Bet $105 to win $100
- • Total return: $205 ($105 stake + $100 profit)
- • Implied probability: 51.2%
Note: Both teams have negative odds because it's a close matchup. The book's vig is built into both sides.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Simple to understand:
No complex calculations or point spreads to worry about
- Available for every game:
Every sportsbook offers moneylines for every matchup
- Great for heavy favorites:
Safer than laying large point spreads
- Parlays potential:
Can combine multiple moneylines for bigger payouts
Disadvantages
- Poor value on favorites:
Need to risk a lot to win a little
- No cushion:
Unlike spreads, a one-point loss is still a loss
- Juice can be high:
Books often charge more vig on moneylines
- Ties/Draws:
In soccer and some other sports, draws void the bet
When to Use Moneyline Bets
✅ Good Situations
- • Small underdogs you believe can win outright
- • Heavy favorites in low-scoring sports (NHL, MLB)
- • When you have strong conviction about the winner
- • Playoff games where teams play harder
- • Live betting when momentum shifts
❌ Poor Situations
- • Heavy favorites requiring huge stakes
- • When spreads offer better value
- • Sports with frequent ties (soccer)
- • When you're unsure about margin of victory
- • Chasing losses with big favorites
Find the Best Moneyline Odds with OddsBandit
OddsBandit helps you maximize value on every moneyline bet by comparing odds across all major sportsbooks:
- Line Shopping Made Easy:
See moneyline odds from 50+ books side-by-side to find the best price
- Value Detection:
Get notified when moneyline odds move in your favor or offer positive EV
- Historical Performance:
Track your moneyline betting results by sport, team, and odds range
- Arbitrage Opportunities:
Find rare situations where you can bet both sides for guaranteed profit
Key Takeaways
- 1
Moneyline bets are the simplest wager type — you're just picking who wins the game, with no point spreads or totals to consider
- 2
Negative odds indicate favorites (bet more to win less), while positive odds indicate underdogs (bet less to win more)
- 3
Moneylines work best for small underdogs or moderate favorites — avoid laying huge prices on heavy favorites
- 4
Always shop for the best line — even small differences in moneyline odds significantly impact your long-term profitability
Ready to Make Smarter Moneyline Bets?
Start comparing moneyline odds across every major sportsbook with OddsBandit. Find better prices, track your results, and bet with confidence.
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