A Complete Guide to Moneyline Wagers

The Moneyline bet is one of the most popular bets in any sportsbook. It’s literally where most of the money is and it’s a great choice for novice bettors. But how does it work, and how can you place Moneyline bets?

What is a Moneyline Bet?

Also known as a match bet or win bet, the moneyline is a simple choice between the underdog and the favorite. Just choose the one that you think will win the game.

Example of a Moneyline Bet

Look at the following Moneyline bet. It has been taken from a real basketball game on a US sportsbook, but we’ve switched the options to something more generic:

•    Team A: + 320

•    Team B: - 425

These odds are known as “American” or “Moneyline” odds. The easiest way to understand them is to imagine a wager of $100.

A plus is the amount you could win from a $100 wager. A minus is the amount you need to bet to win $100.

So:

•    A successful $100 bet on Team A = $320 (+$100 returned)

•    A successful $425 bet on Team A = $100 (+$425 returned)

If you’re only betting $10, just reduce those calculations by a tenth.

Don’t worry if you’re completely new to these odds. You don’t need to do complicated calculations every time you wager. It’s good enough to have a general idea of what’s a good bet and what’s not. Eventually, these things will become second nature to you.

How Do I Win a Moneyline Bet?

You win a Moneyline bet when you choose the eventual winning team/player. In certain sports, such as soccer, there will also be an option for a “tie/draw”. 

How Do I Lose a Moneyline Bet?

You lose a bet by backing the wrong team/player. If you bet on Team A and Team B wins, it’s a loss. If there is a tie/draw, both winning bets will settle as a loss.

What’s The Difference Between a Moneyline and Spread Bet?

When the Moneyline favorite odds are too short, you can use the spread. It handicaps the favorite and means they need to win by more than the spread amount.

If it’s Team A -11.5, for instance, they must win by 12 or more for it to be a successful bet.

Is My Moneyline Bet a Push if the Game Goes to Overtime?

It depends. In most cases, your bet will still stand if the game goes into overtime. As long as there is an eventual winner, the bet remains, even if they got there following overtime.

The exception is if the game eventually ends as a tie, as may occur at the end of overtime in football games, or if the judges are split in MMA or boxing. In these cases, the bet will likely push.

What Is a Three-Way Moneyline?

A three-way Moneyline is a standard Moneyline bet that includes a “tie/draw” option. You will often see these bets in sports like soccer and rugby, where overtime/extra-time is rare (usually only in knockout competitions) and ties are common.

What Does 4th Quarter Moneyline Mean?

A 4th quarter Moneyline only applies to the 4th quarter. In essence, the 4th quarter is treated like a single game and nothing that went before matters.

What is a 1st 5 Innings Moneyline In MLB?

A 5 innings bet is similar to a first-half bet in football or soccer. It’s a wager that only covers the first 5 innings. If you bet on Team A and Team A is winning after 5 innings, the bet will settle as a win.

Does A 2nd Half Moneyline Bet Include a Draw?

If it’s a sport like soccer, a “draw/tie” should be included. If not, it will remain a Team A/Team B bet even during overtime.

How Do I Place a Moneyline Bet with FanDuel?

All Moneyline bets are shown under the “money” column. Find the one you want to place, click it, and then enter your total bet in the “wager” box. Your projected win will appear alongside this. Click the green box at the bottom of the slip to place your bet.

 How Do I Place a Moneyline Bet with DraftKings?

On DraftKings, bets are displayed in black boxes. The bet is written in white and the odds in green. Choose your preferred option, add to your bet slip, and then enter your wager amount. Confirm when you are happy with the bet total.

How Do I Place a Moneyline Bet with Caesars Sportsbook?

Choose from the sports on the left, find the Moneyline wager in the resulting selection, and click the little green box for Team A or Team B. A popup will appear showing a box where you can enter your wager amount. Confirm by clicking the green box at the bottom of the bet slip.

How Do I Place a Moneyline Bet with BetMGM Sportsbook?

All bets are shown in green boxes. Moneyline bets are usually in the third and final one, under “money line”. Click your bet, enter the wager in the “stake” box, and click the golden button. The odds may be set to decimal, but you can switch to “American” in your account.

How Do I Place a Moneyline Bet with PointsBet Sportsbook?

Look for the “Moneyline” wager. All bets are displayed as black boxes with white outlines. Choosing a sport from the list will present you with futures bets in the first instance, so you may need to look for your preferred game before finding this option. You must have the Player Location Check activated to launch the bet slip and confirm your wager.