Moneyline Betting Boost Your Game Day Excitement

Looking for a way to make watching sports even more thrilling? Consider placing a moneyline bet! With moneyline wagers, you simply predict which team will win the game. This form of betting can make matches more engaging and potentially profitable if your predictions are on point. Keep reading to discover how you can leverage moneyline betting to enhance your sports-watching experience.

What is Moneyline Betting?

A moneyline bet is one of the simplest forms of sports wagering. You’re betting on which team or player will win a game or match—nothing more, nothing less. There’s no point spread to consider, and no handicaps are involved. If your chosen team or player wins, you win the bet.

For example, if the New England Patriots play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you have two choices: bet on the Patriots or the Buccaneers to win. It’s as straightforward as that—if the team you back wins, so do you.

Moneyline bets can come in two formats:

• 2-way moneyline: You pick between two outcomes (team A or team B wins). This often includes overtime or extra time.
• 3-way moneyline: A draw is also an option, and bets are settled based on the result at the end of regular time.

For instance, when you bet on tennis, it’s usually a 2-way moneyline, as there are only two possible outcomes. However, in football (soccer), the game could end in a home win, an away win, or a draw, making it a 3-way moneyline bet.

Moneyline Betting Examples

Understanding moneyline bets is simple, even for beginners. You’re backing one team to win. If they do, you win too. Let’s look at an example of both a winning and losing moneyline bet.

Winning Example

You bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to defeat the San Francisco 49ers with odds of -140 for the Chiefs and +120 for the 49ers. The Chiefs win the game 20-17. Your £140 bet on the Chiefs would yield £240 in total, giving you a £100 profit.

Losing Example

You bet on the New York Yankees to beat the Tampa Bay Rays with the Yankees as favorites at -135. Unfortunately, the Yankees lose 2-12. As a result, your bet loses.

Sports that Offer Moneyline Betting

Moneyline bets are available across virtually all sports because most games produce a winner. You can place moneyline bets on sports such as:

• American football
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Soccer (football)
• Baseball
• Ice hockey
• Rugby
• Boxing

In short, no matter your sport of choice, there’s likely a moneyline betting option available.

Understanding Moneyline Odds

Moneyline odds use a plus/minus system, often referred to as American odds. Here’s a breakdown:

• Favorites have negative odds (e.g., -185), indicating how much you need to bet to win £100.
• Underdogs have positive odds (e.g., +165), indicating how much you’ll win for every £100 wagered.

For example, if the Chicago Bulls are favored to win at -185, you would need to wager £185 to win £100. Conversely, if you bet on the Sacramento Kings as underdogs at +165, a £100 bet would earn you £165 if they win.

Moneyline vs. Point Spread Betting

While both moneyline and point spread betting involve predicting winners, they differ in one key way:

• Moneyline bets: You simply choose who wins.
• Point spread bets: The favorite must win by a certain margin, or the underdog must not lose by more than the spread.

For instance, a favorite with a -7 point spread must win by more than 7 points for a spread bet to win. In contrast, a moneyline bet would win no matter how small the victory margin is.

Strategies for Successful Moneyline Betting

Here are five proven strategies to improve your success rate with moneyline bets:

1. Analyze Team Form
   A team’s recent performance can provide valuable insight. Teams on a winning streak are more likely to continue winning, while those on a losing streak may struggle to turn things around.
2. Head-to-Head Comparisons
   Look at the history between the teams. Some teams consistently outperform others in head-to-head matchups. For example, if Team A has dominated Team B in the past, betting on Team A might be a wise move.
3. Balance Favorites and Underdogs
   Backing strong favorites is a safer option, but it comes with lower odds. Meanwhile, betting on underdogs can yield high rewards if they manage an upset. A balanced strategy may improve your overall results.
4. Find the Best Odds
   Shop around for the best odds from different sportsbooks. A small difference in odds can significantly affect your payout over time.
5. Use Free Bets
   Many sportsbooks offer free bets or bonus funds. Use these to cover multiple outcomes or make riskier wagers without risking your own money.

FAQ

Are moneyline bets worth it?
Moneyline bets can be lucrative, especially when betting on underdogs or combining them with point spread bets.

What does +1200 mean in moneyline odds?
+1200 odds mean that a £100 bet would yield a £1,200 profit if the underdog wins.

How often do moneyline favorites win?
In the Indibet, favorites with odds of -115 or shorter had a win rate of about 68% in 2023.

How do you calculate a moneyline payout?
To calculate your payout, multiply the odds by your wager amount.

What’s an example of a moneyline bet?
In an Indibet game where a team is favored by -160, you’d need to bet £160 to win £100, while the underdog would have odds of +135, meaning a £100 bet would net £135 if they win.

By understanding the basics and following these tips, you can maximize your potential for success with moneyline betting.