This page could contain affiliate links that lead to legal sports betting partner sites. FOX Sports could be compensated if you sign up for a sports betting site or place a bet. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.A moneyline bet is the simplest wager in sports betting — you’re just picking who wins the game between the favorite and the underdog.Below is a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about how this sort of wager works, the risks, how odds are calculated, and the best strategies for building them. Let’s get into it:How Does a Moneyline Bet Work?As mentioned above, a moneyline bet is the simplest form of wagering: you’re just picking which side will win the game outright, disregarding the score. You will earn money based on the odds. A heavy favorite might only return a small profit, while backing the underdog can lead to more money if they pull off the upset.Moneyline betting isn’t limited to team sports like football, basketball and baseball. This also applies to individual sports, such as UFC or tennis, which have no point spread. Betting on the moneyline in these competitions is as simple as picking your favorite player or fighter. You might see a “three way moneyline” for a sport like UFC. This is simply offering the option of betting on a draw, or a tie. It also applies to soccer Where draws are frequent. Odds can also swing based on key factors such as late-breaking injury news or key players getting the start at positions like pitcher in baseball or goaltender in hockey.From a bettor’s perspective, the moneyline is as straightforward as it gets—you’re simply putting your confidence behind one side to come out on top. Moneyline Odds People are often confused on how to read them. In the American format of odds, a plus sign or minus indicates the favorite underdog. Moneyline Favorites ()The team with negative odds (expected to win) is the favorite. Negative odds will also tell you how much to wager in order for you to win $100. For example, if the Lakers are listed at -150 in an NBA game, you’d risk $150 to win $100 in profit. The same applies to all sports. If Shohei Ahtani and the Dodgers were favored at -200 then a $200 wager would return $100 profit. The bigger the minus number, the more heavily that team is favored—and the less profit you will earn. Moneyline underdogs (+)Now let’s move on to the underdogs. The underdog is the team that has positive odds. This means they are expected to lose. Imagine that there’s a college game between Alabama and Georgia and the Tide is the home team. Alabama’s odds are -150 while Georgia’s are +130. You would make a $23 profit if you placed $10 on Georgia. This is a better payout than Alabama. The higher potential payout is what attracts many bettors to underdogs. The trade-off, of course, is that the chances of winning are usually much slimmer—so it’s a higher reward, but also a higher risk. TeamOddsBet $10 → ProfitAlabama-150 (favorite)$16.67Georgia+130 (underdog)$23.00What Is a Pick ‘Em?Sometimes, on the moneyline, a game is designated as a pick ‘em, meaning both teams have an equal chance at winning, according to the sportsbook. Those odds will see both teams at -110. Essentially, this means the sportsbook thinks that this game or match is a coin flip. Even though it’The bookmaker builds in their profit by slightly lowering both lines. Pick ’ems tend to show up in games where teams are extremely close in skill, or in lower-scoring sports like soccer, hockey, or baseball—where outcomes can hinge on just a single play. You’re also more likely to see a pick ’em in playoff matchups. How We Choose If you’re new, compare welcome promos—but prioritize reliability.2. Use Tap Choose Enter your stake: type your bet amount; the slip will calculate potential payout and show it to you before you place the bet. 5. Con You You should then see it under “Open Bets” on the interface!Moneyline Odds: How to Calculate Moneyline Probability & PayoutsSportsbooks determine the odds for each sporting event based on a number of factors, including injuries, home vs. road team, starting players and more. We For You If You Your Money Some For If On the flip side, if you’re playing with a no-sweat or second-chance promo, it’s often worth swinging for an underdog since the higher payout could give you more value.One more thing to know about moneyline bets: Find the best line! This Money Welcome FanDuel MoneylineWelcome Bonus: new users can get $150 in bonus bets if their first cash bet of at least $5 wins.Recurring Promotions: known for daily odds boosts and its powerful Same Game Parlay tools that let you combine multiple bets into one tailored wager.What Makes It Good: a sleek, intuitive betting app, expansive market options, excellent parlay and live-betting features, and a strong reputation as the market leader.DraftKings Moneyline BettingWelcome Bonus: offers a hefty package— “bet $5, Get $300 if your bet wins + three months of NBA League PassRecurring Promotions: regularly features odds boosts, parlay enhancers, and fantasy/sports betting integration that rewards active users.What Makes It Good: extremely broad sports coverage, user-friendly mobile experience, and strong brand appeal—both to casual bettors and fantasy players alike.BetMGM Moneyline BetsWelcome Bonus: “First Bet Offer” up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses with promo code FOXSPORTSRecurring Promotions: frequent booster deals, multi-sport combo offers, and loyalty perks through the MGM Rewards program.What Makes It Good: a robust platform with dependable promos, loyalty incentives, and broad appeal thanks to its integrated casino and sports ecosystembet365 MoneylineWelcome Bonus: you typically choose between: bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets (win or lose), or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000—refunded in bonus bets if your first bet loses.Recurring Promotions: known for live betting tools, in-play streaming, early payouts, and frequent boosts across sports and in different markets (including niche ones).What Makes It Good: exceptional depth of betting markets, smooth app functionality, and pro-grade features like cash-outs and same-game parlays make it a standout, especially for live and varied sports action.Minimum $10 deposit required. Welcome Bonus New T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. Call In Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here.Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? To receive daily personalized news, create or log into your FOX Sports Account and follow teams, players and leagues.
2025-11-07 04:22:30
What is a Moneyline Bet? How to Read & Bet Moneylines
