The most straightforward type of bet is the moneyline bet. Whether you are a beginner who’s looking to learn about sports betting or want to improve your skills, the moneyline is a great place to start.
In this guide, we will discuss what moneyline bets are, how to place your first wager on the moneyline, and how to read odds. It doesn’t matter whether you want to learn from scratch or just want to brush up on a few things; this guide will help you boost your chances of success.
A moneyline bet is the easiest form of sports wager. This bet involves you betting on which player or team will win a game. That’s it! It doesn’t get simpler than that. It’s a straight-up wager where you predict the overall winner of the match.
To help you make your decision, bookmakers will outline the odds for both players or teams, depending on which sport you are wagering on. For example, if you are betting on tennis, you will be wagering on which player will win, rather than a team.
While these bets might be easy, you still need to have some understanding of the sport and the players or teams who are playing. Just like with
over/under betting, your chances improve with the more knowledge you have.
Moneyline Betting Explained: How It Works in Practice
Now you know a little more about what a moneyline bet is, let’s take a look at how it works by using a real-life example.
Let’s say the Kansas City Chiefs are playing the Philadelphia Eagles. To bet on the moneyline means to pick which team you think will win. If you wager on the Eagles to win and they win the match, you win your bet. If they lose the game, you lose the bet.
How to Bet on the Moneyline
Not sure how betting on the moneyline works? Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to walk you through it:
Pick a sportsbook
– First, you should choose an online bookmaker from our banners and create an account. Make sure you verify your account by completing the on-screen instructions.
Deposit funds
– Go to the cashier page and make a deposit into your account. Double-check the minimum deposit amount, which is often around $10-$20.
Choose a sport
– Head to the sportsbook and pick from from large array of sports and betting markets. All you need to do is pick your favorite sport and choose an upcoming game.
Place a bet
– Decide which team or player you think will win the game, making sure to look at the odds first. Enter how much you want to bet and confirm your selection.
Wait for the outcome
– Watch the match and wait for the result to come in to see if you won your bet.
What Is Moneyline Betting? Learn How to Read Odds
Regardless of which type of bet you pick, you need to understand how to read the odds. Whether you are developing a
spread betting strategy
or another bet type, you must know how it all works.
Moneyline betting odds are usually displayed in the American format, which is presented with plus (+) and minus (-) symbols. However, depending on where you are located, they can be converted into either fractional or decimal odds.
Moneyline Bets and Odds Explained
In moneyline betting, the favorites are indicated by a minus (-) symbol. The number that follows tells you how much you need to wager to win $100. For example, -200 means that you will need to bet $200 to win $100.
Underdogs are indicated by a plus symbol (+), and the number that follows represents how much you can win if you wager $100. For instance, +200 means that placing a $100 bet will result in a $200 win.
To help provide a more detailed example of how this would work in reality, let’s take a look at how the odds may be displayed and what this would mean:
Team
Odds
Wager
Payout
Kansas City Chiefs
-140
$100
$40
Philadelphia Eagles
+120
$100
$120
When You Settle a Moneyline Bet
Now that you have learned the moneyline bet meaning, we will take a closer look at when you can use a moneyline bet. Knowing when to use it is just as important as understanding how they work, so let’s look at some guidelines:
When betting on an underdog, you believe in
it. If you believe that an underdog has a good shot at winning the match, betting on the moneyline can give you a potentially big payout.
When avoiding the spread in tight matchups
– If two teams are an even match, it can make spread betting a little difficult. Betting on the moneyline can be a good decision in this case.
When betting on low-scoring sports, if you are wagering on a sport where one goal can turn things around, betting on the moneyline can be a good choice. For instance, moneyline betting can be better in sports like soccer, hockey, and baseball.
When you are a beginner, if you are just starting to learn about sports betting, moneyline betting is a great place to begin. Moneylines are easier to understand than totals or spreads and let you get a feel for sports betting.
Common Mistakes in Moneyline Betting
Whether you want
straight betting explained
or any other type of bet, we cater to all sports bettors here. We also want you to feel as prepared as possible, which is why we will now have a look at some easy mistakes that sports bettors make when betting on the moneyline.
🏆 Chasing Payouts
Don’t just bet on sports to get a big win, unless you see the potential and think that it’s likely. Many beginner bettors fall into this trap, and unless you know a fair bit about the teams or players, you are unlikely to win.
📉 Don’t Look Into Player Form
Before placing a bet, you need to consider the recent form of the team and key players, as well as any injuries, coaching strategies, travel fatigue, and more.
📊 Ignoring Line Movement
You should also track the odds, as these can fluctuate over time. Some bettors ignore this, which is never a good thing.
⚠️ Placing Bets Too Often
If you see value in the bet, then that’s fine. But a common mistake is bettors who are wagering on sports far too often, without waiting to see value. This will lead to big losses over time.
Pros and Cons of Betting on the Moneyline
Pros and cons
Simple wager to learn
50/50 chance of winning
Odds are easy to read
A win isn’t guaranteed
Conclusion: What Does Moneyline Mean in Betting?
Betting on the moneyline couldn’t be easier, and it’s the perfect way for a beginner to start. This is the main reason why moneyline betting is so popular. Moneyline bets are available across all sports, so you will also have the option there.
When you are placing a bet on the moneyline, you don’t require a deep understanding or need to conduct lots of research. While you should always know a fair bit about the players and team you are betting on, you don’t need to spend hours looking into difficult concepts.
If you are ready to start betting on the moneyline, all you need to do is choose a sportsbook from on banners and create an account.. From here, you can deposit some cash and place your first bet. Don’t forget to come back here for all your betting needs, including
prop betting strategy
and tips.
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Moneyline Bet FAQ
Generally speaking, yes, moneyline betting includes any overtime play. Provided that there is a clear winner at the end of the match, it doesn’t matter that there was any overtime.
The great thing about betting on the moneyline is that it’s available across all sports and events. Whether you are interested in soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, or golf, there will always be a moneyline option.
Moneyline betting couldn’t be any simpler. The odds are assigned by the bookmaker, which reflects the likelihood of the player or team winning. You will choose between the two options and place your bet. If the player or team you backed wins the game, you will win your bet.
No, moneyline betting isn’t just for sports. If you are into more niche events, you can also place a bet on the moneyline here. For example, this type of bet is available for award shows, television shows, politics, and so much more.