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Money Line Betting Guide US, How it Works and What it Means

A money line bet is a straightforward wager on which team or player will win a game or match; no need to worry about margins or scores. It’s one of the simplest bet types, offering just a few possible outcomes: win, lose, or, in some cases, a draw.

LiveScore logoBy LiveScore Desk, Editorial team for sports, betting and casino Last updated: 10 April 2025, 10:17AM

What Is a Money Line Bet?

Moneyline betting is often grouped with other popular options, such as the point spread and the over/under, which add more complexity by focusing on scoring margins or total points. While teaser bets allow for adjusting the point spread across multiple games, money line bets remain one of the most traditional and beginner-friendly ways to get into sports betting.


What is the Best Sportsbook for Money Line Betting?

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Things to take into consideration

  • Moneyline bets involve picking the winner of a game or match, with no point spreads or additional conditions.

  • Odds are shown with a minus (-) for the favorite and a plus (+) for the underdog, reflecting potential payouts.

  • Simple format makes moneyline wagers one of the easiest bets to understand and place.

  • Payouts are based on the odds, determining the likelihood of each team or player winning.

  • House edge still applies, meaning the sportsbook retains a long-term advantage over the bettor


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Understanding Money Lines

In sports betting, the money line displays the odds for each team and the potential payout based on who is expected to win. One team is labeled the favorite, shown with a negative number, while the underdog appears with a positive number. For example, if you see Team A at +150 and Team B at -170, it means Team B is the favorite, and a winning bet on them will yield a smaller return, while a correct bet on Team A will result in a higher payout. 

The figures listed next to each team, such as +150 or -170, reflect the potential payout for a moneyline bet and are directly tied to the odds. A negative number indicates how much you need to wager to win $100. So, with a -400 line, you’d have to bet $400 to make a $100 profit. On the flip side, a positive number shows how much you’d win from a $100 bet. For example, a +300 line means a successful $100 wager would return $300 in winnings.


Money Line Bets vs. Point Spread Bets

Money Line

Moneyline bets are straightforward wagers where you simply choose which team or player will win a game or match. The odds are shown with a plus sign (+) for underdogs and a minus sign (–) for favorites. For example, a –150 line means you must bet $150 to win $100, while a +200 line pays $200 on a $100 bet. It’s a popular betting option, especially for beginners, due to its simplicity.

Point Spread

Point spread bets focus on the margin of victory rather than just the outcome. In these bets, the favored team must win by a specific number of points (the spread), while the underdog can win or lose within that spread. For example, if a team is favored by –6.5, they must win by seven or more for the bet to cash. It adds balance and excitement, especially in matchups with heavily favored teams.


FAQs - Money Line Betting US

What Is a Money Line Bet?
A money line bet is a wager on the outcome of an event. It is a bet on which team or competitor the bettor expects to win.
What Does a +200 Money Line Mean?
A +200 money line would mean that if you placed a $100 bet, you would win $200. It also tells you that the team is not expected to win, as it is the underdog in the game.
How Do You Figure Out a Money Line?
To determine how much you would make on a money line bet, you need to figure out how much your bet would pay. Look at the integers next to the teams. Positive ones tell you how much you would rake in if you win with a bet of $100. Negative ones tell you how much you would need to be willing to risk to win $100.

Money Line Betting Summarised

Money line bets, one of the simplest kinds of bets to place, allow bettors to select who they think will win a competition. The odds of the team or competitor winning, represented by numbers next to the name, determine how much any particular bet would win.