Understanding Moneyline Betting: Your Guide to Basic Sports Wagering
A moneyline bet is the simplest form of sports betting where you pick which team will win the game outright. Understanding how moneyline odds work is straightforward.
How Moneyline Odds Work:
- Favorites are shown with a minus (-) sign
- Underdogs are shown with a plus (+) sign
- Example: Vikings (-150) vs Bengals (+175)
For favorites (-):
- The number shows how much you need to bet to win $100
- Example: -150 means bet $150 to win $100
For underdogs (+):
- The number shows how much you win if you bet $100
- Example: +175 means bet $100 to win $175
Football player catching pass midair
Three-Way Moneylines:
- Used mainly in soccer where ties are common
- Example: Columbus Crew (-220) Tie (+150) LA Galaxy (+190)
- You can bet on either team to win or the tie
Benefits of Moneyline Betting:
- Easy to understand
- Clear favorites and underdogs
- Simple to calculate potential winnings
- Good for beginners
- Focuses on single game outcomes
Important Notes:
- Odds vary between sportsbooks
- All bets carry risk, even on heavy favorites
- Generally applies to regulation time only in soccer
- Perfect for those new to sports betting
Remember: Always compare odds across different sportsbooks to get the best value for your bets.