A moneyline bet is the simplest bet there is: pick the winner. There's no point spread to cover.
Prices reflect each side's chances. A favorite might be -200 and the underdog +170. Bet the favorite and you win less. Bet the underdog and you win more if they pull it off.
In soccer the equivalent is the three-way match result, which includes the draw.
How it works
Moneyline bets are popular because they're simple: you only need your team to win. The price does the work of balancing the two sides, instead of a point spread.
The trade-off is that heavy favorites are expensive on the moneyline. If you like a strong favorite, the spread may offer a better price, while the moneyline suits underdogs you think can win outright.
| Sport | Common moneyline use |
|---|---|
| MLB and NHL | The main way to bet, with run and puck lines as alternatives |
| NFL and NBA | Popular, but spreads take more of the action |
| Soccer | A three-way bet: home, draw or away |
| Tennis, MMA, boxing | The main market |
Pay attention to how ties are handled. In the NFL a tie is rare, and moneyline bets on a tied game usually push. In soccer the draw is its own outcome, so a two-way bet on a team loses if the match is drawn. In the UK, the soccer version is usually called the match result or 1X2.
Examples
- Example 1
Bills -150 / Dolphins +130. A $100 bet on the Dolphins wins $130 if they win the game.
- Example 2
Chiefs -180 / Bengals +155. A $100 bet on the Chiefs wins $55.56. A $100 bet on the Bengals wins $155.
- Example 3
On a soccer match priced home +150, draw +240, away +190, a $20 bet on the draw wins $48 if the match ends level.
- Example 4
-180 implies a 64.29% chance of winning, and +155 implies 39.22%.
Common questions
What does moneyline mean in betting?
A moneyline bet is a bet on who wins the game outright. There's no spread, and the odds show how much each side pays.
Is the moneyline better than the spread?
It depends on the price. For an underdog you think can win, the moneyline pays more. For a big favorite, the spread often gives better odds.
What happens to a moneyline bet if the game ends in a tie?
In most US sports, a two-way moneyline bet on a tied game is a push and your stake is returned. In three-way soccer markets, the draw is a separate outcome, so bets on either team lose.