{"id":2145,"date":"2025-10-23T13:41:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T13:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/?p=2145"},"modified":"2025-11-27T12:03:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:03:28","slug":"what-is-moneyline-in-betting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/what-is-moneyline-in-betting\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Moneyline in Betting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watching your team play is thrilling, but betting on them shouldn\u2019t feel like a math test. You just want to answer one question: <\/span>Who wins?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where moneyline bets come in.<\/span><\/p>\n

With global sports betting projected to reach <\/span>$119 billion in 2025<\/span><\/a> and crypto fueling a surge in new users, betting activity has <\/span>climbed 30%<\/span><\/a> in Q2 2025, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. And for newcomers joining the action, moneyline betting is the perfect starting point \u2014 simple, exciting, and offering real chances to win without complex odds or confusing rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide explains how moneyline betting works, how to read the odds, and how to place your first crypto bet on platforms like Sportbet.one.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a moneyline in betting?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A moneyline bet is the most straightforward form of sports betting \u2014 it\u2019s a wager on who will win, plain and simple. No complex formulas, no worrying about margins or total points. You\u2019re simply putting your money on who you believe will win the game. That\u2019s it. If your pick wins, so do you.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is different from a point spread bet, where the winning team has to clear a certain margin for you to cash out, or an over\/under, where the combined score of both teams decides your fate. With the moneyline, the only thing that matters is the final whistle and which side is on top of the scoreboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its simplicity is what makes it so popular. Fans who don\u2019t want to juggle numbers or stress over how many points a team wins by find the moneyline refreshing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also attractive because it has only two very different approaches to choosing how to bet\u2014 backing underdogs or favorites. Betting the underdog can bring a big payday if they pull off the upset, while backing the favorite gives you a steadier, lower-risk (and lower-win) option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the NFL, for example, favorites have won roughly 73% of games this season, which shows why casual bettors often lean that way \u2014 it\u2019s a reliable path to more frequent wins, even if the payouts are smaller.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may ask, \u201cWhat are three-way moneyline bets then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A three-way moneyline adds a third possible outcome \u2014 the draw. You\u2019ll see it in sports where ties are common, like soccer or hockey. Instead of just picking Team A or Team B to win, you can also bet that the match ends in a draw. But this option isn\u2019t always available, and if a game ends in a draw, your bet is just reimbursed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So once you understand how a moneyline bet works and it\u2019s about picking the winner, the next question is obvious: <\/span>how do you read those strange numbers next to the teams?<\/span><\/i> That\u2019s where moneyline odds come in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of moneyline odds format<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most bookmakers and players use only one of three odd formats, depending on which one is more popular in the region\u2014 decimal, fractional, and American. We\u2019ll learn about American since they are the most popular in the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In American sports betting, odds usually show up with a plus or minus sign. A minus sign means the team is favored. For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are listed at <\/span>\u2013150<\/b>, it means you\u2019d need to risk $150 to make a $100 profit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A plus sign signals the underdog. If the opposing team shows <\/span>+200<\/b>, a $100 bet would earn you $200 profit if they pull off the upset.<\/span><\/p>\n

The math behind this isn\u2019t as scary as it looks. For favorites, you divide your stake by the absolute value of the odds, then multiply by 100. For underdogs, you just multiply your stake by the odds divided by 100. So a $50 bet on the Chiefs at \u2013150 would bring back $33.33 in profit, while the same $50 on the underdog at +200 would net you $100.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take the NBA as another example: when the Boston Celtics face a struggling opponent at \u2013200, you\u2019d need to risk twice your desired profit. On the flip side, UFC cards are loaded with fighters at +250 or more, which is why fans love chasing those dramatic upsets \u2014 one clean punch and your payout could triple.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Match<\/b><\/td>\nMoneyline Odds<\/b><\/td>\nBet Amount<\/b><\/td>\nPotential Payout<\/b><\/td>\nProfit<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Team A vs Team B (Team A)<\/span><\/td>\n-107<\/b><\/td>\n$100<\/span><\/td>\n$207<\/span><\/td>\n$107<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fighter X vs Fighter Y (Fighter Y)<\/span><\/td>\n+200<\/b><\/td>\n$100<\/span><\/td>\n$300<\/span><\/td>\n$200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lakers vs Celtics (Lakers)<\/span><\/td>\n-115<\/b><\/td>\n$100<\/span><\/td>\n$186.96<\/span><\/td>\n$86.96<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nadal vs Alcaraz (Alcaraz)<\/span><\/td>\n+135<\/b><\/td>\n$100<\/span><\/td>\n$235<\/span><\/td>\n$135<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chiefs vs 49ers (Chiefs)<\/span><\/td>\n-275<\/b><\/td>\n$100<\/span><\/td>\n$136.36<\/span><\/td>\n$36.36<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If you\u2019re betting with crypto, the odds work the same, only the stake changes. You might wager 0.01 BTC or 0.5 ETH instead of dollars. With crypto sports betting nearing billion-dollar volumes in 2025, a winning underdog bet can grow both your balance and your coin\u2019s value.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that the numbers make sense, the next step is to learn the pros and cons of moneyline bets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages and drawbacks of moneyline betting<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even with all the excitement around moneyline bets, it\u2019s worth stepping back to weigh the pros and cons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The benefits are quite obvious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simple<\/span><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t need to calculate spreads or totals. Pick the winner, and your bet is set. That\u2019s why beginners and casual fans prefer moneyline bets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Highly-rewarding on underdogs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Betting on preseason underdogs like the Patriots at <\/span>+225<\/b> has paid off handsomely for some early-season bettors. A small stake can turn into a substantial win if the upset hits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Less affected by blowouts<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unlike point spreads, the margin of victory doesn\u2019t matter. A team winning by one point or twenty still counts the same, so even close, exciting games can deliver results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Work well for parlays<\/span><\/h3>\n

Moneyline bets are easy to combine into parlays, which can multiply potential payouts when several picks hit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good for gut picks<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you have a strong hunch about a team or fighter, moneyline lets you act on it directly without overcomplicating the math.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accessible across sports<\/span><\/h3>\n

From football and basketball to MMA or esports, moneyline betting is a universal format, so once you learn it, you can apply it everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

But there are a few significant drawbacks as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Favorites require bigger stakes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Heavily favored teams offer smaller payouts, meaning you often need to risk more to see meaningful returns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Higher risk in unpredictable sports<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sports with high variance \u2014 think MMA or college basketball \u2014 can make even seemingly safe favorites tricky to back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upsets can wipe out small bankrolls quickly<\/span><\/h3>\n

Betting on favorites might feel safe, but long-shot upsets happen often enough to sting if you don\u2019t manage your money.<\/span><\/p>\n

No depth to strategy\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

For experienced bettors looking to exploit spreads or totals, the moneyline can feel restrictive because it\u2019s all or nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can get overconfident<\/span><\/h3>\n

The simplicity can lure newcomers into betting without research, especially on underdogs, which can quickly drain a bankroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

But before you decide, you should also know that crypto gives moneyline bets a little more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages of moneyline betting with crypto<\/span><\/h3>\n

Crypto plays nicely with moneyline betting and gives it a few specific advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n