What is a moneyline?

Moneylines

When you make a moneyline wager, you bet on the outright winner of the event without taking the point spread into consideration. There are still favorites and underdogs, but instead of being handicapped or assisted by head starts, the competitors are given odds to win the game or event.

A negative number indicates the favorite, and the odds show how much money you must wager to win $100. A positive number indicates the underdog, and the odds show how much money you will win on a $100 wager. The more uneven the contest, the bigger the numbers you'll see.

Let's look at an NFL game where the New England Patriots are favorites against the Cleveland Browns. The odds might look like this:

Browns: +180

Patriots: -220

If you bet on the Patriots, you'll have to risk $220 to win $100. However, if you bet on the Browns, you stand to win $180 for every $100 you wager. If the final score of the game is tied, the wager will be graded a "Push" and your money will be refunded.

Baseball Moneyline Rules

A game must go 5 innings (or 4.5 innings if the home team is winning) for moneyline wagers to have action. Also, you can specify whether both listed pitchers, one listed pitcher, or neither listed pitcher must start the game.

Football Moneyline Rules

Moneylines are offered only when the point spread is between 3 and 10. If the spread is exactly 3 or 10, moneylines are offered only when the line is standard (-110). 

Basketball Moneyline Rules

Moneylines are offered only when the point spread is between PICK and 15. Also, if the spread is exactly PICK or 15, moneylines are offered only when the line is standard (-110).

Soccer Moneyline Rules

Moneyline wagers in soccer have three outcomes: you can pick either of the teams to win, or you can pick a draw; if you don't pick a draw and the game goes to extra time, you lose the wager.