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The Simplest Bet in Sports

A moneyline bet is the most straightforward wager in sports betting. You are simply picking which team or player you think will win. There are no point spreads or totals to worry about. If your team wins, your bet wins. If they lose, your bet loses.

Reading Moneyline Odds

Moneyline odds in the United States are displayed with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign followed by a number. These symbols tell you two things: who the favorite is and how much you stand to win or need to risk.

Negative odds (-): This indicates the favorite. The number tells you how much you need to risk to win $100. For example, -200 means you must bet $200 to profit $100.
Positive odds (+): This indicates the underdog. The number tells you how much you win on a $100 bet. For example, +150 means a $100 bet would profit $150.

A Real-World Example

Say the Dallas Cowboys are -250 and the New York Giants are +200 in an NFL matchup. If you believe Dallas will win, you would need to risk $250 to profit $100 on the Cowboys. If you think the Giants can pull off the upset, a $100 bet would net you $200 in profit.

Of course, you do not have to bet exactly $100. These numbers simply represent the ratio. A $50 bet on the Giants at +200 would profit $100, and a $50 bet on the Cowboys at -250 would profit $20.

When Moneylines Push

In most sports, ties are rare or impossible due to overtime rules. However, if a game ends in a tie (like in some soccer or NFL regular season situations), moneyline bets push and your stake is returned with no winnings or losses.

Calculating Your Payout

For favorites (negative odds): Divide 100 by the odds number, then multiply by your bet amount. At -250 odds with a $50 bet: (100/250) x $50 = $20 profit.

For underdogs (positive odds): Divide the odds number by 100, then multiply by your bet amount. At +200 odds with a $50 bet: (200/100) x $50 = $100 profit.

Moneyline Strategy Tips

Avoid massive favorites: Consistently betting teams at -300 or higher is risky. You need to win 75% of the time just to break even at those odds, and one upset wipes out multiple wins.
Look for underdog value: You do not need to win the majority of your underdog bets to be profitable. Even winning 40% of +200 bets puts you ahead.
Parlay favorites carefully: Combining multiple heavy moneyline favorites into a parlay can improve your odds, but upsets can derail the entire ticket.
Watch line movement: Moneyline odds shift based on public betting, injuries, and other factors. Getting in early on a line you like can provide better value.