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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Moneyline Betting Explained
- How to Read Moneyline Odds?
- Types of Moneyline Bets
- Why is Moneyline Betting So Popular?
- Top Sports Where Moneyline Odds Offer the Best Betting Opportunities
- 10 Winning Moneyline Betting Strategies
- Boost Your Profits with GammaStack’s Sportsbook Software
- FAQs on Moneyline Betting

Master Moneyline Betting for Maximum Profits
Many people lose because they don’t understand how to bet on winners. But mastering moneyline betting can change that! It’s the easiest way to pick who will win and earn real profits.
Let’s learn how moneyline betting can get you maximum gains and fun with this easy-to-understand moneyline bet guide!
Moneyline Betting Explained
- Head-to-Head
- Win Bet
- Fixed Odds Betting
How to Read Moneyline Odds?

Favorites
These are the teams or players expected to win a game. You have to bet more money to win a smaller amount.

Underdog
These are the teams or players expected to lose. If they win, you get a bigger payout because the risk is higher.

Positive Odds
If a team has a plus before the odds, it means the team is an underdog and has less probability to win. The number shows how much you win if you bet $100.

Negative Odds
If a team has a minus before the odds, it means the team is a favorite and has a higher probability of winning. The number tells you how much you need to bet to win $100.
Types of Moneyline Bets


Straight Moneyline Bet (2-Way Moneyline)
- Works by letting the bettors pick which team will win or lose.
- It has only two possible outcomes, like a win or a loss.
- This type of moneyline betting is most common in —
- Basketball
- Baseball
- American football

3-Way Moneyline Bet
- Works best in sports with three outcomes, like win, lose, or tie/draw.
- Bettors need to bet on one of the three outcomes.
- Sports that favor this type of moneyline betting include —
- Soccer
- Hockey

Even or Pick ’em Moneyline Bets
- When teams are evenly matched, sportsbooks set equal odds for either to win.
- The odds are typically set at +100 (even money), meaning you win an amount equal to your stake.
- In pick’em scenarios, odds may be labeled as 'PK' (Pick) in point spreads, but moneyline odds are simply shown as +100 or -110, depending on the book. 'EV' for even is uncommon.
- If you bet $100 at +100 and win, you receive $100 profit plus your $100 stake back, totaling $200.
- Common sports for even moneyline bets include —
- Basketball (NBA and College Basketball)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Hockey (NHL)
- Soccer (MLS, Premier League, La Liga, etc.)
- Tennis
- Boxing
- UFC/MMA
Why is Moneyline Betting So Popular?


Simplicity
Moneyline betting is easy to understand. It needs bettors to pick the winner on odds without worrying about margins or point spreads.

Ideal for Beginners
Its straightforward nature makes it perfect for new bettors learning how sports betting works.

More Gains on Condition
It helps experienced bettors to find value by spotting mispriced odds, especially on underdogs.

Wide Betting Market Coverage
Moneyline bets are available across many sports, making it versatile. These include:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Boxing
- Tennis

Clear Payout Structure
The plus (+) and minus (-) odds clearly show potential profits and risks. This helps bettors make informed decisions.

Value Opportunities
Underdogs offer higher payouts, attracting bettors looking for bigger returns on riskier bets.

Live Betting Friendly
Moneyline bets can be placed before and during games. This allows bettors to react to game developments in real time.
Ready to Start Winning With Simple and Smart Bets?
EXPLORE MORE BLOGS FROM VARIOUS CATEGORIES
Top Sports Where Moneyline Odds Offer the Best Betting Opportunities
- Basketball (NBA and College Basketball)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Hockey (NHL)
- Soccer (MLS, Premier League, La Liga, etc.)
- Tennis
- Boxing
- UFC/MMA
10 Winning Moneyline Betting Strategies


Look for Value Bets
Look for bets where the odds give you more money than what's truly likely to happen. Even if you win often, you might still lose money if your bets don't offer good value.

Shop for the Best Odds
Look at different betting sites to find the best odds. Even small differences can mean more money over time.

Bet Early and Monitor Line Movements
Bet early if you think many people will bet on one team. This can change the odds. Betting at the right time helps you get better odds before they change.

Research Teams Thoroughly
Check team performance, player injuries, and situational factors (home/away games, weather, etc.). Don't just look at the odds. Find underdog teams that are doing well or favorite teams that might not be as good as they seem.

Manage Your Bankroll Wisely
Before you bet, figure out how much you could win or lose. Only bet a small, steady amount of your total money to stay safe.

Consider Home Underdogs
In sports like the NFL, home underdog teams (those expected to lose) with a small point spread (meaning they're not expected to lose by much, often 3 points or less) can be a good bet. They offer good value and aren't as risky.

Use Parlays Cautiously
Combining multiple moneyline bets into a parlay can increase your potential winnings, but it also increases your risk of losing. To minimize big losses, limit the number of bets you combine and the amount of money you wager.

Avoid Emotional Bets
Don't bet with your heart but with your brain. Only bet on your favorite team if the odds are good.

Grab Live Betting Opportunities
During games, change your moneyline bets. This helps you use new situations and team changes to your advantage.

Be Patient and Consistent
Moneyline betting success comes from small, consistent wins. Avoid trying to win big fast or chasing losses.
Want to Launch Your Sports Betting Software Retaining Maximum House Edge?
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Features offered —
- Live and pre-match betting
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- Multiple sports
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- Licensing support
- 24/7 Customer Support
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FAQs on Moneyline Betting Explained
How do you read and understand moneyline odds?
- Negative odds (-150): You must bet $150 to win a $100 profit.
- Positive odds (+130): You win $130 profit on a $100 bet.
The number shows how much you risk or win on a $100 stake. For example, -200 means you bet $200 to win $100; +300 means you win $300 on a $100 bet
Sports betting moneyline means you bet on who wins the game, no matter the score. Point spread betting means a team has to win by a certain number of points, or not lose by too much. Moneyline is easier because you just pick the winner. Point spread makes the odds more even by giving the favorite a handicap.
- Sportsbooks guess how likely each team is to win.
- They analyze factors like team form, injuries, betting trends, and public perception to set accurate odds.
- Favorites get negative odds, underdogs get positive odds.
- They also add a small fee (vig) to make sure they profit.
- This means the implied probabilities of all outcomes typically exceed 100%, ensuring the sportsbook's profit margin (called the 'vig' or 'juice') is maintained.
Yes, you can make money with moneyline betting if you find good bets and manage your money carefully. However, favorites pay less, and underdogs are risky. To succeed, you need to do your homework, be disciplined, and compare odds. Many new bettors lose money by betting emotionally or without a plan.
- Start with small bets to learn how odds and payouts work.
- Use licensed sportsbooks with clear rules and responsible gambling tools.
- Avoid chasing losses or betting on favorite teams without value.
- Learn odds, teams, and betting terms before significant wagers.
Yes, you can combine a sports betting moneyline into a parlay. In a parlay, all your chosen bets must win for you to get paid. This increases your possible winnings but also makes it riskier, because if even one bet loses, you lose the whole parlay. In parlays, all selections must win for the parlay to cash. The risk increases with each added leg, so use them selectively and manage your stake wisely.