The sports betting menu is crowded with choices. Some of the wagering opportunities you’ll come across are a bit on the advanced side, but there are also ones which are straightforward and easy to wrap your head around.

1. How Do Moneyline Bets Work In
2. How Does Moneyline Bets Work

Moneyline bets fall into the latter category. For these wagers, you’re simply choosing the winner of the game. That’s it. There’s no point spread to worry about or anything like that. If the side you pick wins the game, you’re golden.

A moneyline wager allows the bettor to put a bet on which team or athlete will win a contest, straight up. The moneyline underdog will always pay out at better odds than the favorite.

While the concept itself is simple, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the moneyline. There are times when the bets make sense, situations where you should pass, and other scenarios in which you may want to do a little shopping.

We’re going to take a detailed look at everything you need to know right here. For starters, here are the best spots to place your bets online legally and safely.

How Does the Moneyline Work?

• That’s just how these odds work. American Odds show how much you’ll win with a $100 bet (odds with +) or how much you need to bet to win $100 (odds with -) In other words, the lower the number, the more likely they are to win, and the less money you win. WInning a bet marked at -220, means that you would win an extra $100 if you placed $220.
• We work closely with the sportsbook to ensure that any changes to the odds, spread, or line will be reflected on our site. Using BetQL you can build custom sports betting dashboards that allow you to focus specifically on finding value for NBA moneyline bets.

After a quick glance at the moneyline odds, you will immediately know which side is the favorite or the underdog in a game. Oddsmakers will attach odds to both sides of the equation.

The favorite will be designated with negative odds, while the underdog will have positive odds attached. Here’s what they’ll look like at an online sportsbook using a random NFL game as an example.

• Los Angeles Rams +110
• San Francisco 49ers -130

In this fictitious game, the 49ers are favored, and bets on that side will pay out at odds of -130 if correct. For the underdog Rams, successful bets on that side pay out at odds of +110.

So how do the odds impact what the actual return will be. Here’s the math on both sides for a $100 wager.

• $100 bet at odds of +110 = potential total return of $210 (the original $100 bet plus a profit of $110).
• $100 bet at odds of -130 = potential total return of $176.90 (the original $100 stake plus a profit of $76.90).

As you can see, a successful bet at positive odds offers the chance for greater returns than successful bets at negative odds.

However, that doesn’t mean you should randomly place your wagers on underdogs and hope for the best. Normal handicapping rules apply with moneyline betting, and the goal is to place your bets on the side you feel gives you the greatest chance of being right.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline wager is a straight bet on the winner of a game. There are no point spreads attached or any other factors to consider. The sole concern is which side will win the contest.

After taking a look at the moneyline odds for a game you’re interested in betting on, you’ll know which side is expected to win. The favorite will have negative odds attached, while the underdog has positive odds.

Once you know that, the task at hand is to handicap the game and figure out which side you like. We’ll cover some tips on handicapping in a bit. For now, just know that it’s not as complex as it may sound.

Returns are going to vary based on which side you bet on. In a nutshell, you’ll see larger returns for correct bets on underdogs, but you shouldn’t let that be the determining factor on your choices.

There will be times when you find that the underdog makes the most sense, but there will also be plenty of times when you come up with the favorite as the answer to the question.

It can be helpful to be selective with which wagers you place on the moneyline. We’ll be covering that in more detail as we move along.

How Do Moneyline Bets Work In

Betting on Favorites vs. Underdogs

When looking at moneyline odds, the favorite and the underdog will be readily apparent.

• Chicago Bulls +120
• Houston Rockets -140

In this fictitious NBA matchup, the Rockets are a decent-sized favorite. You’ll see less of a return for betting on that side as a result, while successful wagers on the underdog Bulls would see a bigger return.

Once again, it’s important not to let the potential return be your guide. Making the correct call is the bottom line, so your choices should revolve around which side you think has the greater chance to win.

To that end, it can be helpful to break down the game first prior to worrying about what the potential return will be. After you do this enough times, you’ll be able to figure out the range of returns quickly anyway, and that can help you be more selective with your choices.

For example, you may find that huge favorites are relatively safe wagers, but that the returns aren’t what you have in mind on a long-term basis. As such, you make a concerted effort to look for other opportunities first, such as favorites at odds of -180 or less.

After breaking down enough games on the other side, you’ll begin to understand that huge underdogs are that way for a reason. Sure, they’ll come in here and there, but solely focusing on big underdogs and hoping for a big score is not a recipe for a healthy bankroll.

Balance is a big key with moneyline betting, and the ultimate return on investment is the bottom line to focus on.

Examples of Moneyline Betting

Moneyline odds are offered for all of the major North American sports. The odds are presented in the same way for each, so you’ll be able to interpret them quickly.

For example, here’s a moneyline for an MLB game with a huge favorite.

• San Francisco Giants +180
• Los Angeles Dodgers -220

At first glance, you can quickly tell that the Dodgers have a big advantage for this contest, such as a stronger overall team or a substantial edge in pitching.

Now, let’s take a look at an NHL contest which has much tighter odds.

• Boston Bruins +100
• Montreal Canadiens -120

After looking at this game, we can reasonably assume that these two squads are relatively even. The Canadiens are favored, but the gap in odds is far from substantial.

For basketball and football, point spread bets receive a ton of attention, but there’s also moneyline betting for these two sports. A common misconception is that there’s not enough value to be found on the moneyline in comparison to the spread.

If you solely focus on big favorites, that’s true. However, there are plenty of games in which the moneyline odds are tight. When you look at the point spread for these contests, you can quickly see which ones may have favorable moneyline odds.

As an example, a point spread of 2.5 points or less is a good indicator of a tight game. That being the case, the moneyline odds will have decent value on both sides that’s worth exploring.

Moneyline Betting on Close Games

Speaking of close games, you’ll come across many of these on the odds board regardless of which sport you’re focused on. When evenly-matched teams square off, it can be close to a toss-up in terms of which side will win.

Oddsmakers recognize this, and they will price the games accordingly. For example, in a really tight NFL game, you could see moneyline odds like this.

• Minnesota Vikings -105
• New Orleans Saints -115

When the odds are in such a close range, the difference in return is pretty small. However, that doesn’t mean you should flip a coin and hope for the best.

You’ll still be handicapping the game in search of a winner. It doesn’t matter how even teams may seem at first glance or according to the odds. There are almost always points of difference to be found, and you can always pass on those that are legitimately too close to call.

Moneyline Bet Odds and Line Moves

When odds are released for a slate of games, these are known as the opening lines. After they’re out, the betting public has a chance to weigh in.

Depending on how the action comes in, this can lead to a shift in lines. For example, if lots of money comes in on the favorite, odds on that side will rise in a bid to even out the action.

For bookmakers, the goal is to not be too lopsided one way or the other. If they get a ton of bets on one side and few on the other, that opens up liability on their end. To limit situations such as this, they will adjust the odds where needed in a bid to attract action on the other side.

Lines can also move based on new information that emerges after the initial release. A lineup change, trade, or previously undisclosed injury are among the things which can have an impact.

A good rule of thumb is to examine any changes from the opening line to the time you are ready to place your bets. This can point you to what the overall market sentiment is on the game, and also potentially alert you that there’s some news out there that you may have missed.

Moneyline shopping – What is it, how do you do it?

All odds are not created equal. While major sportsbook operators are typically in range, you can find some ticks of difference, especially on the moneyline.

In general, the differences won’t be eye-popping. Bookmakers that are far off the beaten path will stick out like a sore thumb. As a result, bettors will quickly jump on that line and bring it back more to the level of the general consensus.

How Does Moneyline Bets Work

To find these points of difference, you’ll need to engage in what’s known as line shopping. This refers to checking the odds and lines at different sportsbooks in a quest to find the best price.

If you were going to buy something online and found differing prices in a few different spots, you would naturally gravitate towards the better deal. It’s the same thing with sports betting odds.

For example, if one book is offering odds of -140 on a favorite, but another book is at -130, the better deal is at the latter. You’ll get a better return there for placing your wager on that particular game.

How to Handicap Moneyline Bets

Handicapping games can sound formidable when you’re unfamiliar with the concept. However, it can actually be a simple process if you allow it to be.

It can be quite easy to get lost in research, and that can make it just as simple to get overwhelmed with information. Especially when starting out, keep it simple and focus on the things that really matter.

Here’s a simple five-point plan that you can use as a starting point.

• The odds and lines for the game. What is this telling you?
• Overall strength of the two teams. Is there a marked difference between the squads?
• Home/road splits. How do the two teams perform in the role they have for this game?
• Key Stats. Points for and against, and other sport-specific stats that really make a difference in the outcome.
• Recent Play. Is one team playing much better than the other recently?

The process gets quicker the more times you go through it. Once you have a handle on it, you can begin to tweak and personalize it to your specifications, such as by adding more stats into the equation that you feel really impact the outcome.

The Bottom Line on Moneyline Betting

Moneyline bets are straight forward wagers in which you are simply deciding which side you think will win. For each game on the docket, oddsmakers will designate a favorite and underdog.

Which side is which will be reflected in the odds. Favorites will have negative odds, while the underdog will have positive odds. The odds tell us the likelihood of something happening, as well as what the potential return will be for our wagers.

Moneyline odds are found for all of the major sports. The odds can shift based on market action, as well as news which may develop after the initial release.

There are a number of different systems for handicapping moneyline odds. We’ve included a simple one here in this article which you can use as a starting point. As you advance with sports betting, you’ll be able to implement your own system and tweak as needed.

If you are new to sports betting, you may just be wondering, “How does sports betting work?”

Top Tips for the Novice Sports Bettor

The concepts of the point spread, the Moneyline, and reading odds are fairly simple. It is also easy to find places that will accept your sports wagers, such as the platforms offered by AcePerHead.com. However, moving on from the basics is often a challenge for novice sports bettors. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you move from the basics of sports betting as you look to start turning profits from your wagers.

Tip #1: Begin with smaller bets

Figuring out how to outwit the sportsbooks will take you a great deal of time. Different sports bettors figure out the path to victory more quickly than others, but even for the most ingenious sports bettors, you have to get through a learning curve. Unless you just won the lottery, you just have some money that you have free to wager on sports, so while you are in the learning phase, do not make the error of betting too large per game.

While you are in the early phases, think about limiting your biggest bets to about $20. For other bets, shoot for the $5 to $10 range. Over time, as you start to learn more and more about how to win, you can put that maximum higher, but remember to limit your wagering to using money that is not part of your budget for living essentials.

Another way to figure out your maximum is to figure out how much you can spare for your bankroll. Put this money apart from your other funds, and only use it for sports betting. Divide that bankroll by 100 to get your maximum bet. So if you have $2,000 in your bankroll, your max bet would be $20. While very little in sports betting is certain, one thing you can bank on is that you will make mistakes, so using small parts of your bankroll will limit the damage that mistakes cost you, giving you a longer wagering life before your bankroll disappears.

Tip #2: Focus your wagering on a specific area

The vast majority of sports bettors get into the action by wagering on their favorite sports teams and putting down bets on big events, like the NCAA men’s basketball tournament or the Super Bowl. This is a fun way to start because these events get lots of press. However, one reason a lot of new sports bettors lose a lot of money at the start is that they end up betting a lot on events that they do not know much about. For example, if you have read that 12-seeds often upset 5-seeds in the men’s basketball tournament, and you try to be trendy by betting on all four of the 12-seeds without reviewing all four matchups carefully, you will just be handing money to the bookmaker.

So if you are wondering “How does sports betting work?” at this point, pick just one sport and focus on that. Narrowing your focus will allow you to develop a research base that will help you select winners. If you find that researching college football takes too much effort (and there are a lot of teams to learn about), just select one conference. You might think about picking a mid-major conference instead of one of the Power 5, because there is some room for error in the sportsbooks the further you get down the college football hierarchy.

Tip #3: Put your bets on the moneyline

The majority of sporting events have a minimum of two different lines. One will go against the spread. The other is a moneyline. In this sort of wager, you pick which team will win the game. When you bet against a point spread, you usually spend $110 to win $100 on either side of that spread, although moneylines can be adjusted from that point if action comes in too hot on one side of the point spread. In a moneyline wager, the various figures show the disparity. An example might feature Ohio State playing Indiana in football. If the moneyline is Ohio State -180 / Indiana +220, you would have to bet $180 to win $100 on Ohio State, but if you bet on Indiana, and you put down $100, you would win $220.

It is often much easier to decide which team is going to win a game outright than to pick against a point spread. If you have an eye on an underdog that has a solid chance at winning, that can make a smart wager. If you win on underdogs, you do not have to place as many bets to make a profit.

This is just the beginning when it comes to tips for the novice bettor. You are far from alone if you find yourself wondering, “How does sports betting work?” However, this is a topic that can help you turn your cash into profits while doing something you love – watching and staying engaged with sporting events.

AcePerHead.com is a platform that offers sports betting options to hundreds of agents. Each sportsbook has a separate owner, who is responsible for setting odds, choosing events, establishing props, and signing up betting clients. You can often find some fairly wide variance among the different sportsbooks on Ace Per Head, as they try to establish a competitive advantage based on information (or intuition) about events that they believe will help them beat the odds that most of the larger sportsbooks have set. If you start betting with a sportsbook that uses the Ace Per Head platform, you have peace of mind thanks to the encrypted third-party payment system that we use to move money from betting clients to sportsbook owners. You can use bitcoins, Gift cards, and other payment portals to send and receive funds. Obviously, you’ll hope to be pulling in more money than you send out – that’s the dream of every sports bettor. Hopefully, this advice will get you on your way.