Sports Betting

Moneyline

A moneyline is a wager placed on the outright winner of a sporting event, with no point spread or handicap to consider.

Also called: American odds or moneyline odds¹²
Format: Positive (+) or negative (−) number. +X pays X to 100; −X pays 100 to X¹
Fair probability for +X: p = 100 / (X + 100)¹
Fair probability for −X: p = X / (X + 100)¹
Example: $100 on +300 nets $300 profit; $500 on −500 nets $100 profit¹

Key points

A moneyline bet simply picks the winner; there is no point spread or handicap to cover¹³.
Favourites have negative moneylines (e.g. −200) and underdogs positive moneylines (e.g. +150)¹³.
The moneyline number determines which side is favoured: the bigger the negative number, the stronger the favourite¹.
Moneyline odds are the standard format in American sports betting, while UK betting typically uses fractional or decimal odds²⁴.
A 3-way moneyline adds a draw option, common in sports like soccer where ties occur¹³.

Moneyline payout examples

How different moneyline numbers translate to profit on a $100 stake.
Moneyline	Stake	Profit if win	Total return
+400	$100	$400	$500
+150	$100	$150	$250
−150	$150	$100	$250
−400	$400	$100	$500

How to read a moneyline

Find the moneyline number next to each team or player — it will be positive or negative.
A positive number (e.g. +200) shows how much profit you make on a $100 bet. Bet $100, win $200 profit.
A negative number (e.g. −200) shows how much you must stake to win $100 profit. Bet $200, win $100 profit.
If your chosen side wins, you get your stake back plus the profit. If they lose, you lose the stake.

Common questions

What is moneyline in betting?

Moneyline is a type of sports bet where you pick the outright winner of a game or match, with no point spread. The odds are shown as a positive or negative number indicating the payout.

What is moneyline bet?

A moneyline bet is simply a wager on which team or player will win. The payout is determined by the moneyline odds: favourites pay less, underdogs pay more.

What is fid bkg svc llc moneyline?

Fid Bkg Svc LLC is likely a payment processing or betting service entity. A moneyline bet placed through such a service works the same way: you pick the winner and the odds determine your payout.

What is a 3 way moneyline?

A 3-way moneyline adds a third outcome — a draw or tie — to the standard win/loss bet. It is common in soccer and hockey where matches can end in a draw.

Where this term is used

Sports betting

Sports betting Moneyline betting Explains the practice of placing moneyline bets across different sports. Sports betting Moneyline vs spread Compares moneyline betting with point spread betting, highlighting the key differences. Sports betting Moneyline UK Covers how moneyline odds relate to UK betting markets and fractional odds. Sports betting Moneyline odds explained A deeper look at how to read and calculate payouts from moneyline odds. Sports betting 3-way moneyline Details the three-outcome moneyline bet including the draw option. Sports betting Parlay Explains how multiple moneyline bets can be combined into a single parlay wager.

Sources

Odds en.wikipedia.org Primary source for the definition, odds format, payout examples, and fair-probability formulas.
Fixed-odds betting en.wikipedia.org Supports the alternative name 'fixed-odds betting' and the distinction from UK usage.
Sports betting en.wikipedia.org Provides context on sports betting and the favourite/underdog convention.
Definitions of terms - Gambling Commission gamblingcommission.gov.uk Confirms UK regulatory terminology for betting types.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.