What Is a Moneyline Bet

So to get an idea about how does moneyline work in practice, let's take a simple MLB example:

Let's say the New York Yankees are playing against the Boston Red Sox. The odds might be like so:

• Yankees −140
  
  
• Red Sox +120
  
  

This would make the Yankees favourites. If you bet $140 on them to win, it would take $100 to win on them. Wagering $140 and they win, you will win $240 total ($100 profit and your original $140 bet).

Placing a $100 bet on the Red Sox as underdogs would return $220 total if they win ($120 profit and your $100 bet).

This example shows how do moneylines work when you place a bet. There is no point spread to cover—your team simply needs to win outright.

Some bettors like to take several bets and combine them into a parlay, where every individual wager is a leg. Parlays can pay out higher but are riskier in that each leg must win.

While the underlying principle is the same, how moneylines work can vary slightly by sport. For example:

• In hockey and baseball, where scores are typically low, the moneyline is the default way to bet.
  
  
• In football and basketball, point spreads are more common, but the moneyline is still offered.
  
  
• In soccer, the moneyline usually includes options for a draw (tie), which may be called a three-way moneyline.
  
  

Regardless of the sport, the odds always will indicate which side you believe will win and what potential reward if your prediction is correct.

Learning to interpret these odds is the secret if you are going to get to know what is a moneyline bet and be able to make the optimal decisions.

While moneyline bets are simple in concept, novices do tend to commit a couple of mistakes:

1. Ignoring value: Just because a team is heavily favored doesn’t mean the bet is worth it. A −300 favorite can lose, and you must risk significantly more, to earn a decent payout.
   
   
2. Not shopping for the best odds: Different sportsbooks may offer slightly different odds on a game. Over time, this can make a huge difference in your bankroll.
   
   
3. Misunderstanding payouts: Some bettors confuse the amount they risk with the amount they win. Always calculate the total return before placing your bet.
   
   
4. Overestimating underdogs: While betting underdogs can be profitable, consistently picking big underdogs just because of higher payouts is rarely a winning strategy.
   
   

By understanding how moneyline betting  works, you can avoid these mistakes and improve your long-term results.

If you’d like to learn more about related terms like payout and push, be sure to explore our glossary entries that explain each concept in detail.

Whether you call it moneyline, money line, or simply ML, this betting option remains a favorite for its simplicity. If you’re wondering how moneylines work, remember that you’re always betting on a winner, no point spreads, no extra calculations. Just pick the team or athlete you think will prevail and place your wager at the best available odds.

Before you start placing moneyline bets, take time to compare prices, understand potential payouts, and practice solid bankroll management. Now that you know the money line meaning and how it applies across sports, you’ll be prepared to wager more confidently.

Check out our full betting toolset before placing your next wager.