Glossary
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team or player wins outright, with no point spread involved. The favorite is shown with minus odds and pays less, while the underdog is shown with plus odds and pays more. It is the simplest bet in sports.
The moneyline strips a bet down to one question: who wins. Margin of victory does not matter. If your side wins the game, the bet wins.
Prices are quoted in American odds. A favorite at -180 asks you to risk 180 to win 100. An underdog at +160 returns 160 in profit on a 100 risk. The wider the gap between the two prices, the more one-sided the matchup looks to the sportsbook.
Because favorites pay so little, they can feel safe while quietly costing you when one slips. Because underdogs pay more, they carry the larger returns relative to stake. The moneyline is the natural choice when you have a read on the winner but not the margin.
For the full walkthrough, see the guide on moneyline betting.
Related