Moneyline Betting Guide

Moneyline betting is the simplest form of betting on sports. A moneyline bet is on the straight-up outcome of a game.

There are no points involved, only adjusted odds based on which team is the favorite to win. However, these odds are adjusted based on the point spread between the two teams playing. The favorite team will always have negative odds, while a team that is the underdog will have plus odds.

Moneyline odds on games will have one of two types of odds. Those two odds are plus odds and negative odds. Plus odds show the amount of money you would win on a $100 bet. With negative odds, the number shown is the amount you would need to bet to win $100.

When Should I Bet On The Moneyline?

When looking at the moneyline, you should look at the teams involved. Always take the time to research both teams. There are many things to look into between teams that can paint a picture of what could happen in the game.

Some of the common things are:

    • Rival teams
    • Players that might be missing the game
    • Team on a winning or losing streak
    • Strength of the teams they faced in the past

Underdog teams have the best payout when it comes to the moneyline. But anyone that does sports betting can tell you the underdog rarely wins. But with proper research, there is always the possibility of seeing which underdog can turn out into a big winner on the moneyline.

The best example is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3.5 (+115) vs. the Kansas City Chiefs 3.5 (-140) in Super Bowl 55.

Tampa Bay came into Super Bowl 55 as 3.5 point underdogs.

    • If you had bet on Tampa Bay and taken the points, you needed to bet $115 to win $100.

    • But, if you took the moneyline, a $100 bet would have won $140.

With anyone that knew anything about Brady and how he plays in the Super Bowl, they would have put their money on Tampa Bay and won the moneyline bet.

Steps for Betting on the Moneyline

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Moneyline Bets

Before placing a moneyline bet, it’s crucial to understand the basic principles. In a moneyline bet, the bettor chooses the winner of a game, disregarding the point spread.

The favorite is represented by a negative number (e.g., -150), while the underdog has a positive number (e.g., +130).

These numbers indicate the amount needed to wager to win $100, or the amount won with a $100 bet, respectively.

Step 2: Research and Analyze Teams

To make informed bets, research the teams’ recent performance, injury reports, and head-to-head history.

Analyzing this information will help determine which team has a better chance of winning the game and guide bettors in making a smart decision.

Step 3: Create an Account and Fund It

Once a sportsbook is chosen, create an account and deposit funds. Many sportsbooks offer a variety of payment options, such as credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers.

Be sure to take advantage of any welcome bonuses or promotions available.

Step 4: Locate the Moneyline Bet Option

On the sportsbook’s platform, navigate to the specific game or event to bet on.

Look for the moneyline bet option, which is typically labeled as “Moneyline” or “ML” next to the team names.

Step 5: Evaluate the Odds

Carefully evaluate the odds for each team and determine if the potential payout is worth the risk. Remember that a higher payout generally signifies a lower probability of winning.

Step 6: Place the Bet

Once the desired team is selected, enter the amount to wager and confirm the bet. Double-check the bet slip to ensure the correct team and wager amount are selected before submitting.

Step 7: Monitor the Game and Collect Winnings

After placing the bet, watch the game and track its progress. If the chosen team wins, collect the winnings from the sportsbook. Some sportsbooks may offer automatic payouts, while others may require bettors to manually claim their winnings.

Step 8: Manage the Bankroll

Practice responsible betting by managing the bankroll and setting limits. Only bet what can be afforded to lose, and consider taking breaks or seeking assistance if betting becomes problematic.

Are Moneyline Bets Only For Sports Games?

Moneyline bets aren’t just used on the sports games themselves. You can find Moneyline odds in futures betting, prop betting, and awards betting. When it comes to these different betting options for a moneyline bet, it will require a different strategy to employ.

These betting options don’t feature just one team against another, but often one team against all other teams or one player, and if they can do whatever the prop bet indicates.

Moneyline Betting Guides

Is There Any Strategy That One Can Use When Betting On The Moneyline?

Yes, different strategies can be used while betting on the moneyline. When it comes to a moneyline involving two teams, the best thing you can do is research both teams.

Teams with a losing record are less likely to win, but they sometimes pull off an upset. It can be because a team started recently started winning after being on a losing streak. Something like that can help a team build momentum.

Always look at the risk versus the reward along with all other factors. Sometimes when looking at all things as a whole, you can see something that oddsmakers might have missed.

The best thing to look at before making a moneyline bet is the point spread. Why is this important? It’s because, on average, teams that are underdogs by three points or less have the highest percentage chance of winning the moneyline. 

Teams with home-field advantage tend to get more favorable odds. They may still be underdogs, but playing at home might soften the point spread. But be aware of how a team plays at home. Some teams play better during away games as opposed to home games. That can be another factor to consider before betting on the moneyline with a team.

Winning Starts with Research

Every detail is critical to betting success. The more information that you can gather before making a bet will help with making the correct wager on a team. Doing that research isn’t easy or fun, but it is something that professional gamblers do before they place any bets. Because of that studying, professional gamblers can make a living off sports betting.

The casual gambler may not want to put in the work required to increase the odds of a successful wager, but it is the best thing to do if you want to win money instead of losing it.

Moneyline bets offer a straightforward and exciting way to engage in sports betting. By following this guide, bettors can confidently place moneyline bets, enjoy the thrilling action, and potentially reap the rewards of their informed decisions.

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Moneyline Betting Guide FAQs

Moneyline betting is the simplest form of betting on sports. A Moneyline bet is on the straight-up outcome of a game. There are no points involved, only adjusted odds based on which team is the favorite to win.

One of the most important questions with gambling is the legality of betting. Each state has its own rules on if sports betting is legal or not.

Moneyline betting has the lowest returns on favorites while having the best returns on an underdog. Moneyline betting is best used when you see an underdog has the best chance of winning.

When looking at the Moneyline, you should look at the teams involved. Always take the time to research both teams. There are many things to look into between teams that can paint a picture of what could happen in the game.

People will always look at the rewards before the risk when placing a wager. Moneyline betting does have the potential of giving a nice payout. But in some cases, the Moneyline odds aren’t worth it with teams that are heavy favorites.