Moneyline betting is the simplest way to bet on a sporting event: you choose the team or player you believe will win. There is no point spread to cover and no total to predict.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is a wager on the outright winner of an event. In a two-way market, one side must win. In sports where a draw is possible, such as soccer, the draw may be listed as a third outcome.
How American moneyline odds work
Negative odds indicate the favourite and show how much must be risked to win $100. Positive odds indicate the underdog and show how much profit a $100 stake would return. For example, -150 means risking $150 to win $100, while +180 means a $100 bet would return $180 profit.
Worked examples
A $50 bet at -150 returns about $83.33 in total: the original $50 stake plus $33.33 profit. A $50 bet at +180 returns $140 in total: the original $50 stake plus $90 profit.
When moneyline betting is useful
Moneylines are useful when you have a strong view on who will win but do not want the extra condition of a point spread. They are also common in baseball, hockey, tennis, combat sports and soccer.
Common mistakes
Beginners often confuse the most likely winner with the best bet. A heavy favourite may win often but still be overpriced. Always compare the odds with your own estimate of the true probability.
Professional approach
Professional bettors focus on price rather than prediction alone. The question is not simply who will win, but whether the odds are better than the bettor's estimate of the true chance.