How the moneyline works
You are only picking the winner. A -160 favorite means risk $160 to win $100; a +140 underdog means win $140 on $100. Because you do not have to cover a spread, favorites are cheaper to back on the run line or point spread, while underdog moneylines pay a premium for the outright win.
A worked example
A team is -150 on the moneyline. A $150 bet wins $100 if they win by any margin. The opponent at +130 would win $130 on a $100 bet. One-run wins, buzzer-beaters and overtime all cash a moneyline the same as blowouts, which is why underdog moneylines are popular in low-scoring sports.
Moneyline vs spread
Take the moneyline when you think an underdog wins outright or when a favorite is not certain to cover a spread. Take the spread or run line when you want a better price on a favorite you expect to win comfortably. Comparing where the public and the sharp money sit in each market helps you pick the better number.
In the Wise Guy tools
Soccer grading
Soccer bets are graded on the 90-minute score, stoppage time included, not extra time or penalties. A draw is its own result.
Example: Backing a team in a 1-1 game loses; the Draw pick wins.
How our tools use it: Graded on the regulation score (90 minutes plus stoppage time). The moneyline is three-way: a Draw pick wins on a level score and a team pick on a level score loses, never a push. Games decided in extra time or on penalties are not graded on those results; quarter-goal lines are not graded; postponed or cancelled games are void.
UFC and tennis grading
UFC and tennis bets are moneylines graded on the official winner. A UFC draw or no contest is a push; a tennis retirement or walkover is void.
How our tools use it: UFC: moneyline only, the official winner decides; a draw or no contest is a push; a cancelled fight is void. Tennis: singles only, the winner decides the moneyline; retired, walkover or abandoned matches are void. Game handicaps and total games grade only from complete set scores, when those markets are on.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare moneyline prices between sportsbooks?
Convert each price with the odds converter, then check the market-implied probability on the no-vig calculator. A moneyline that pays more than the fair line implies is the one to bet; the betting splits board shows whether the public has already pushed that price.
What does a moneyline bet mean?
You are betting only on who wins, with no spread. The favorite has minus odds, the underdog has plus odds.
Is the moneyline better than the spread?
It depends on the game. The moneyline is best on outright-underdog plays and on favorites you doubt will cover; the spread pays more on comfortable favorites.
Your next step
- 1Learn itMoneyline (this page)
- 2Apply itSports betting for beginners →
- 3Run itBetting Splits →
- 4Master itDay 1: The Wise Guy Code →
Related terms
- Plus and Minus (American Odds)
- In American odds, a minus sign marks the favorite and shows how much you must risk to win $100, while a plus sign marks the underdog and shows how much you win on a $100 bet.
- Point Spread
- A point spread is a handicap that levels a matchup: the favorite must win by more than the spread to cover, and the underdog covers by losing by less than the spread or winning outright.
- Run Line
- The run line is baseball's version of the point spread, almost always set at 1.5 runs.
21+. For entertainment and educational purposes, not financial advice. If gambling stops being fun, take a break. 1-800-GAMBLER. Regulated US books only.