What Is a Moneyline Bet?
Moneyline is the simplest bet in sports betting — you pick which team or individual will win a contest, with no point spread or handicap applied. The odds reflect the relative quality of the two sides: the favourite carries negative American odds (indicating how much you must stake to win $100), while the underdog carries positive odds (showing profit on a $100 stake).
The moneyline is the dominant bet type in North American sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) and increasingly popular globally. In football (soccer) outside North America, the equivalent is Draw No Bet (two outcomes) or the 1X2 (three outcomes including the draw).
Juice on the moneyline (the margin) is visible in the gap between the two lines. A typical moneyline might show -110 on both sides in a theoretically even match — each side requires $110 to win $100, producing a 4.5% margin. The more lopsided the favourite, the larger the difference between the positive and negative lines.
Moneyline vs spread: in high-scoring sports like basketball and American football, the point spread is often more useful because it creates a closer-to-even market. The moneyline on a heavy NFL favourite might be -400 (requiring $400 to win $100) — very unattractive. The spread (e.g. -7.5 points at -110) is more balanced and provides better value.
How Do Moneyline Odds Work?
Understanding American Odds Format
Moneyline odds are displayed in American odds format, which centres around a $100 bet. This format uses a minus sign (–) for favourites and a plus sign (+) for underdogs.
Negative Odds (Favourites): The number indicates how much you must wager to win $100. If a team is listed at –150, you must risk $150 to profit $100. The larger the minus number, the heavier the favourite — and the smaller your potential profit.
Positive Odds (Underdogs): The number indicates how much you will win on a $100 bet. If a team is listed at +150, a $100 bet returns $150 in profit (plus your original $100 stake, for a total payout of $250). The larger the plus number, the bigger the underdog — and the larger your potential profit if they win.
Reading Favourite Odds (The Minus Sign)
Favourite odds always carry a minus sign. Here's what common favourite odds mean:
- –110: You must risk $110 to win $100. This is the standard "even" line in a close matchup.
- –150: You must risk $150 to win $100. This indicates a moderate favourite (roughly 60% implied probability of winning).
- –200: You must risk $200 to win $100. This is a heavy favourite (roughly 67% implied probability).
- –400: You must risk $400 to win $100. This is an extremely heavy favourite (roughly 80% implied probability). Very unattractive for bettors.
The key principle: the larger the minus number, the heavier the favourite, and the less profit you make per dollar wagered.
Reading Underdog Odds (The Plus Sign)
Underdog odds always carry a plus sign. Here's what common underdog odds mean:
- +110: You win $110 on a $100 bet. This is the standard "even" underdog in a close matchup.
- +150: You win $150 on a $100 bet. This indicates a moderate underdog (roughly 40% implied probability).
- +200: You win $200 on a $100 bet. This is a significant underdog (roughly 33% implied probability).
- +400: You win $400 on a $100 bet. This is a heavy underdog (roughly 20% implied probability). Attractive odds but low win probability.
The key principle: the larger the plus number, the bigger the underdog, and the more profit you make per dollar wagered.
Calculating Payouts from Moneyline Odds
Understanding how to calculate your potential payout is essential. The formulas differ slightly between favourites and underdogs.
For Favourite Odds (Negative):
Profit = (Wager × 100) ÷ |Odds|
Total Payout = Wager + Profit
Example: You bet $100 on a –150 favourite.
- Profit = ($100 × 100) ÷ 150 = $66.67
- Total Payout = $100 + $66.67 = $166.67
For Underdog Odds (Positive):
Profit = (Wager × Odds) ÷ 100
Total Payout = Wager + Profit
Example: You bet $100 on a +150 underdog.
- Profit = ($100 × 150) ÷ 100 = $150
- Total Payout = $100 + $150 = $250
The beauty of these formulas is that they scale to any wager amount. A $50 bet on +150 odds yields $75 profit; a $500 bet yields $750 profit.
Moneyline Payout Reference Table
| Odds | $10 Bet | $50 Bet | $100 Bet | $500 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| –110 | +$9.09 | +$45.45 | +$90.91 | +$454.55 |
| –150 | +$6.67 | +$33.33 | +$66.67 | +$333.33 |
| –200 | +$5.00 | +$25.00 | +$50.00 | +$250.00 |
| –400 | +$2.50 | +$12.50 | +$25.00 | +$125.00 |
| +110 | +$11.00 | +$55.00 | +$110.00 | +$550.00 |
| +150 | +$15.00 | +$75.00 | +$150.00 | +$750.00 |
| +200 | +$20.00 | +$100.00 | +$200.00 | +$1,000.00 |
| +400 | +$40.00 | +$200.00 | +$400.00 | +$2,000.00 |
How Is Moneyline Different from Other Bet Types?
Moneyline vs. Point Spread
The point spread is the most common alternative to the moneyline, especially in high-scoring sports. Understanding the difference is crucial for choosing the right bet type.
Moneyline: You bet on which team will win the game, period. No margin of victory matters. The odds reflect the true quality gap between teams.
Point Spread: You bet on whether a team will win by more than a certain number of points (or lose by fewer points). The spread is designed to create an even-money market on both sides, regardless of true team quality.
Example: An NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs (heavy favourite) and the Indianapolis Colts.
| Bet Type | Chiefs Line | Colts Line | What You're Betting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | –300 | +240 | Chiefs win outright vs. Colts win outright |
| Spread | –7.5 (-110) | +7.5 (-110) | Chiefs win by 8+ vs. Colts lose by 7 or fewer |
The moneyline shows the true gap: Chiefs are heavily favoured (–300 means you risk $300 to win $100). The spread levels the playing field: both sides are –110, creating equal risk/reward.
When to use each:
- Moneyline: When you have strong conviction about which team wins, or when betting on an underdog with good value.
- Spread: When you want more balanced odds, or when betting on a heavy favourite (–300 moneyline is unattractive; –7.5 at –110 is more reasonable).
Moneyline vs. 1X2 Betting
The 1X2 (or three-way) market is common in sports where draws are possible, particularly football (soccer).
1X2 Market:
- 1: Home team wins
- X: Match ends in a draw
- 2: Away team wins
Moneyline (Two-Way):
- Home team wins
- Away team wins (no draw option)
In soccer, the moneyline equivalent is Draw No Bet (DNB), which removes the draw option and refunds your stake if the match ends in a draw.
Example: Manchester City vs. Liverpool
| Market | City | Draw | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1X2 | –150 | +250 | +200 |
| Draw No Bet | –130 | (N/A) | +110 |
The 1X2 market offers three distinct outcomes. Draw No Bet collapses the draw into a "no bet" scenario, creating a two-way moneyline-style market.
Moneyline vs. Parlays
A parlay combines multiple moneyline bets into a single wager. All picks must win for the parlay to pay out.
Moneyline: Single event. You pick one winner. If you win, you get paid. If you lose, you lose your stake.
Parlay: Multiple events. You pick multiple winners. All must win. If even one loses, the entire parlay loses.
Example: A 3-team moneyline parlay
- Team A: –150 (implied payout: 1.67x)
- Team B: +200 (implied payout: 3.00x)
- Team C: –110 (implied payout: 1.91x)
Parlay payout: 1.67 × 3.00 × 1.91 = 9.56x your wager
A $100 parlay returns $956 if all three win. But if even one loses, you lose the entire $100.
Moneyline vs. Parlay:
- Moneyline: Lower payouts, higher win probability, lower variance
- Parlay: Higher payouts, lower win probability, higher variance
Parlays are attractive after losses (the high payouts feel like "recovery"), but they carry higher risk and lower expected value for most bettors.
What Is Juice (Vigorish) on the Moneyline?
Understanding the Vig
Juice (also called vigorish or vig) is the bookmaker's commission built into moneyline odds. It's how sportsbooks profit on every bet, regardless of the outcome.
The vig is visible in the gap between favourite and underdog odds. In a theoretically even matchup, you might see:
- Favourite: –110
- Underdog: +110
This means:
- Betting $110 on the favourite to win $100
- Betting $100 on the underdog to win $110
If the favourite wins, the sportsbook pays out $100 to underdog bettors but collects $110 from favourite bettors — a $10 profit. If the underdog wins, the sportsbook pays out $110 to favourite bettors but collects $100 from underdog bettors — another $10 profit.
The vig is the bookmaker's guaranteed profit. It doesn't matter who wins; the book makes money.
How Much Vig Is Standard?
The standard vig on a moneyline is –110/+110 or –105/+105:
- –110/+110: Represents a 4.5% margin for the sportsbook
- –105/+105: Represents a 2.38% margin for the sportsbook (better for bettors)
Some heavily favoured matchups might show:
- –150/+130: A 2–3% vig (tighter margin)
- –200/+160: A 3–4% vig
The vig varies based on:
- Market competitiveness: Popular matchups have lower vig (more competition between books)
- Lopsided action: If one side gets heavy betting, the vig may increase
- Sportsbook strategy: Some books offer lower vig to attract sharp bettors
How Juice Affects Your Long-Term Profitability
The vig might seem small (4.5% on a –110 line), but it compounds dramatically over many bets.
Example: You're a break-even bettor (50% win rate on picks).
Scenario A: Betting at –110 (4.5% vig)
- 100 bets of $100 each
- 50 wins: +$4,545 profit (50 × $90.91)
- 50 losses: –$5,000 loss
- Net result: –$455 loss
Scenario B: Betting at –105 (2.38% vig)
- 100 bets of $100 each
- 50 wins: +$4,762 profit (50 × $95.24)
- 50 losses: –$5,000 loss
- Net result: –$238 loss
Even a break-even bettor (50% win rate) loses money due to vig. But the difference between –110 and –105 is $217 over 100 bets — substantial over a year.
The Importance of Line Shopping
This is why line shopping (comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks) is critical for serious bettors.
Different sportsbooks offer different lines on the same game. You might find:
- Sportsbook A: –110 on the favourite
- Sportsbook B: –105 on the same favourite
- Sportsbook C: –115 on the same favourite
A professional bettor with accounts at multiple books will always choose Sportsbook B (–105) over the others. Over 100 bets, that $5 difference per bet equals $500 in additional profit.
How to Place a Moneyline Bet: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Choose a Licensed Sportsbook
Not all sportsbooks are created equal. Choose a licensed, regulated sportsbook in your jurisdiction. Key criteria:
- Regulatory approval: Licensed by your state/country
- Reputation: Established brand with positive reviews
- Competitive odds: Offers -105 or better vig (not –115 or worse)
- User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate and place bets
- Fast payouts: Withdrawals processed quickly
Step 2: Create an Account and Verify Identity
Most sportsbooks require:
- Email address and password
- Personal information (name, date of birth, address)
- Verification of identity (sometimes photo ID)
- Funding method (debit card, e-wallet, etc.)
This process usually takes 5–10 minutes.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
Deposit funds using your preferred method:
- Debit/credit card
- E-wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Bank transfer
- Cryptocurrency (some books)
Start with a small deposit to test the process and interface.
Step 4: Navigate to Your Sport and Game
Once logged in:
- Select the sport (NFL, NBA, MLB, soccer, etc.)
- Find the specific game or match
- Look for the Moneyline section (often listed as "ML" or "Win")
You'll see the favourite listed with a minus sign and the underdog with a plus sign.
Step 5: Select Your Pick and Enter Your Wager
- Click on the odds for your chosen team
- The bet slip will appear on the right side of the screen
- Enter your wager amount (e.g., $50, $100)
- The sportsbook automatically calculates your potential payout
Review your bet slip carefully:
- Correct team selected?
- Correct odds displayed?
- Correct wager amount?
- Correct potential payout?
Step 6: Confirm and Place Your Bet
Click "Place Bet" or "Confirm Bet". The sportsbook will ask you to confirm one final time. Once confirmed, your bet is locked in — you cannot change it.
Step 7: Monitor Your Bet
Most sportsbooks offer a "My Bets" or "Open Bets" section where you can:
- View all active bets
- See live updates as the game progresses
- Check the status of settled bets
- Use Cashout (early exit option) if available
Real-World Moneyline Examples by Sport
NFL Moneyline Betting Example
The NFL is the most popular moneyline market in North America. Games rarely end in ties (and ties are rare in overtime), making moneyline betting straightforward.
Super Bowl LVIII Example (simplified):
- Kansas City Chiefs: –160
- San Francisco 49ers: +135
If you bet on the Chiefs (–160):
- Wager: $160
- Profit if they win: $100
- Total payout: $260
If you bet on the 49ers (+135):
- Wager: $100
- Profit if they win: $135
- Total payout: $235
The –160 favourite reflects the market's belief that the Chiefs have roughly a 61.5% implied probability of winning. The 49ers at +135 are given about a 42.6% implied probability.
Why NFL moneylines are often heavy: Football is low-scoring relative to basketball and baseball. A 3–7 point margin is common, and the favourite often wins by a substantial margin. This creates heavy favourite moneylines (–200, –300, or worse), which is why many NFL bettors prefer point spreads.
NBA Moneyline Betting Example
Basketball moneylines are tighter (closer odds) than NFL because games are high-scoring and outcomes are less predictable.
NBA Regular Season Example:
- Los Angeles Lakers: –160
- Boston Celtics: +140
If you bet on the Lakers (–160):
- Wager: $160
- Profit if they win: $100
- Total payout: $260
If you bet on the Celtics (+140):
- Wager: $100
- Profit if they win: $140
- Total payout: $240
The –160 favourite reflects roughly a 61.5% implied probability for the Lakers. The +140 underdog is given about a 41.7% implied probability.
Why NBA moneylines vary widely: Injuries to star players dramatically shift moneylines. If the Lakers' best player is injured, the line might shift from –160 to –110 or even become a pick'em (–110/–110). Rest days, back-to-back games, and travel also influence NBA moneylines.
MLB Moneyline Betting Example
Baseball moneylines are unique because the starting pitcher has an enormous impact on the game's outcome. Moneylines often shift significantly based on pitcher matchups.
MLB Regular Season Example:
- New York Yankees (with ace pitcher): –120
- Boston Red Sox (with average pitcher): +105
If you bet on the Yankees (–120):
- Wager: $120
- Profit if they win: $100
- Total payout: $220
If you bet on the Red Sox (+105):
- Wager: $100
- Profit if they win: $105
- Total payout: $205
The –120 favourite reflects roughly a 54.5% implied probability for the Yankees. The +105 underdog is given about a 48.8% implied probability.
Why pitcher matchups matter: A great pitcher can shift the moneyline by 20–30 cents. If the Red Sox's best pitcher takes the mound instead of an average pitcher, the line might shift from +105 to –110 (a swing of 15 cents). Savvy bettors monitor pitching matchups and line movements to find value.
Soccer Moneyline and Draw No Bet
Soccer is unique because draws are common, creating a three-way market (1X2) instead of a two-way moneyline.
Premier League Example (Manchester City vs. Liverpool):
- Manchester City (1): –150
- Draw (X): +250
- Liverpool (2): +200
The three-way market reflects:
- Manchester City: ~60% implied probability of winning
- Draw: ~14% implied probability
- Liverpool: ~40% implied probability of winning
Draw No Bet (DNB) Alternative:
- Manchester City: –130
- Liverpool: +110
Draw No Bet removes the draw option. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded (no win, no loss). This creates a two-way moneyline-style market.
Why draws matter in soccer: Unlike American football or basketball, soccer matches frequently end in draws (especially in league play). The three-way market accounts for this. Bettors who want a simpler two-way bet use Draw No Bet, which adjusts the odds to account for the possibility of a draw.
UFC and MMA Moneyline
Combat sports feature one-on-one matchups, creating a straightforward two-way moneyline market.
UFC Heavyweight Title Fight Example:
- Champion (heavy favourite): –300
- Challenger (underdog): +240
If you bet on the Champion (–300):
- Wager: $300
- Profit if they win: $100
- Total payout: $400
If you bet on the Challenger (+240):
- Wager: $100
- Profit if they win: $240
- Total payout: $340
The –300 favourite reflects roughly a 75% implied probability of the champion winning. The +240 underdog is given about a 29.4% implied probability.
Why MMA moneylines are often extreme: Combat sports have high variance. A single punch or submission can change the outcome instantly. This creates wide moneylines (–300 or +400) because the outcome is less predictable than team sports. Upsets are common, making underdog betting attractive in MMA.
Moneyline Betting Strategies
Understanding Implied Probability
Every moneyline has an implied probability — the break-even win rate you need to profit long-term.
Formula for negative odds (favourites):
Implied Probability = |Odds| ÷ (|Odds| + 100)
Formula for positive odds (underdogs):
Implied Probability = 100 ÷ (Odds + 100)
Example: A –150 favourite
- Implied Probability = 150 ÷ (150 + 100) = 150 ÷ 250 = 60%
This means the sportsbook believes the favourite has a 60% chance of winning. To profit long-term at –150 odds, you need to win more than 60% of your bets.
Example: A +150 underdog
- Implied Probability = 100 ÷ (150 + 100) = 100 ÷ 250 = 40%
The sportsbook believes the underdog has a 40% chance of winning. To profit long-term at +150 odds, you need to win more than 40% of your bets.
Finding Value in Moneyline Bets
Value exists when your estimated win probability exceeds the implied probability.
Example: You believe a +150 underdog has a 45% chance of winning.
- Implied probability at +150: 40%
- Your estimated probability: 45%
- Value exists: Your edge is 5%
Over many bets, this edge compounds into profit.
How to find value:
- Research the matchup (injuries, form, matchups, motivation)
- Estimate your own win probability (not the sportsbook's)
- Compare your estimate to the implied probability
- Bet when your estimate exceeds the implied probability
Line Shopping for Better Odds
Different sportsbooks offer different odds on the same game. Line shopping means comparing odds across multiple books and choosing the best one.
Example: A game between Team A and Team B
| Sportsbook | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|
| Book 1 | –110 | –110 |
| Book 2 | –105 | –115 |
| Book 3 | –115 | –105 |
If you want to bet on Team A, choose Book 2 (–105) instead of Book 1 (–110) or Book 3 (–115).
Over 100 bets on Team A:
- Book 1: 100 × $90.91 = $9,091 total profit if all win
- Book 2: 100 × $95.24 = $9,524 total profit if all win
- Difference: $433 extra profit by choosing Book 2
Line shopping is the easiest way to improve long-term profitability without becoming a better predictor.
Recognizing Line Movements
Moneyline odds change throughout the day and week before a game. These line movements reflect:
- Sharp money: Professional bettors placing large wagers
- Public money: Casual bettors placing small wagers
- News: Injuries, weather, roster changes
- Sportsbook adjustment: Books managing their exposure
Example: A game opens at –110/–110 (even matchup). By game time, it's –150/+130 (heavy favourite).
This movement suggests:
- Sharp money came in on the favourite
- The favourite is now more likely to win (in the market's view)
- Bettors who liked the underdog at +110 now face +130 (worse odds)
Betting before vs. after line moves:
- Before the move: You get better odds on the underdog (+110 vs. +130)
- After the move: You get worse odds
Professional bettors monitor line movements and bet early when they see value. Casual bettors often bet late, after the line has moved against them.
Moneyline Betting Psychology
Moneyline betting is psychologically challenging because:
Favourites feel "safe" but have lower ROI. A –300 favourite feels like a sure thing, but you only win $33.33 on a $100 bet (3.3% ROI). Over 100 bets, even a 75% win rate on –300 favourites yields only $1,667 profit on $10,000 wagered.
Underdogs are tempting after losses. After losing a few bets, a +400 underdog feels like "recovery." But the higher variance means more losing streaks. Chasing losses with underdogs is a common path to ruin.
Bankroll management is essential. Never wager more than 1–2% of your bankroll on a single bet. This protects you from variance and emotional decisions.
Avoid "tilt" betting. After a bad loss, the urge to immediately place a big bet to "get even" is strong. Resist it. Stick to your strategy.
When NOT to Bet Moneyline
Sometimes the best bet is no bet:
- Heavy favourites (–400 or worse): Limited upside, high risk. A –400 favourite requires a 80% win rate just to break even after vig.
- No edge: If you can't identify a reason to believe your estimate differs from the market's, don't bet.
- Emotional betting: Never bet on your favourite team, your home team, or a team you "want" to win. Emotion clouds judgment.
- Chasing losses: Never increase bet size after losses. This leads to ruin.
- Betting against your research: If your research suggests the underdog, don't bet the favourite just because it "feels safer."
Common Moneyline Betting Mistakes
Betting Heavy Favourites
The biggest mistake new bettors make is betting heavy favourites.
A –300 favourite requires a $300 wager to win $100. Over a season, even a 75% win rate on –300 favourites yields:
- 75 wins: +$7,500 profit (75 × $100)
- 25 losses: –$7,500 loss
- Net result: $0 profit
You need an 80% win rate just to break even. Most bettors can't achieve an 80% win rate on favourites, especially heavy ones.
Better strategy: Bet underdogs with positive expected value, or bet favourites only when the implied probability is significantly lower than your estimated probability.
Ignoring Juice
New bettors often ignore the difference between –110 and –105 lines. "It's only $5," they think.
But over 100 bets, that $5 difference equals $500. Over a year of betting (1,000+ bets), it equals $5,000+.
Better strategy: Always line shop. A $5 difference per bet is worth the effort.
Not Considering Context
The moneyline reflects the sportsbook's estimate, not the truth. Sportsbooks are usually accurate, but they're not perfect.
Factors that affect outcomes:
- Injuries to key players
- Rest days and back-to-back games (NBA)
- Weather (NFL, baseball)
- Motivation (teams fighting for playoff spots vs. teams that are already eliminated)
- Home-field advantage
- Matchup dynamics (one team's strength matches the opponent's weakness)
Better strategy: Research the matchup thoroughly. Identify factors the market might have missed or undervalued.
Chasing Losses with Parlays
After a losing streak, a 3-team parlay at 9:1 odds feels like "recovery." But parlays have lower expected value than single bets.
A 3-team parlay requires all three picks to win. If your win rate on individual bets is 55%, your win rate on a 3-team parlay is only 55% × 55% × 55% = 16.6%.
The parlay odds (9:1) imply a 10% win rate. So the parlay is actually a worse bet than your individual bets, even though it feels more exciting.
Better strategy: Stick to single moneyline bets. Build wealth slowly and steadily, not through parlays.
Betting Without a Plan
The worst mistake is betting without a clear strategy. Bettors who:
- Don't set a bankroll
- Don't track their bets
- Don't analyze their results
- Change their strategy frequently
...are destined to lose money.
Better strategy: Create a betting plan before the season. Define your unit size (1–2% of bankroll), your selection criteria, and your record-keeping system. Stick to the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is a moneyline bet different from a 1X2 bet?
A: In North American sports like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, most games do not end in a draw — so moneyline is a two-way market (win/lose). In football (soccer), the equivalent two-way market is Draw No Bet. The 1X2 is the three-way version including the draw.
Q: What do +150 and –180 mean on a moneyline?
A: +150 means you profit $150 on a $100 bet if that team wins (the underdog). –180 means you must stake $180 to profit $100 if that team wins (the favourite). Together, they show the bookmaker's margin.
Q: Can a moneyline bet push?
A: Rarely — because most North American sports have a decisive winner. In rare tied games (NFL regular season), moneyline bets usually push. Extra time or overtime results typically count for moneyline settlement.
Q: Is the moneyline bet the simplest bet in sports betting?
A: Yes. You pick a winner, full stop. No spread, no totals, no conditions. It is the most straightforward bet type and the starting point for most new bettors in North American sports.
Q: How do I calculate my potential payout on a moneyline bet?
A: For positive odds (underdog): multiply your bet by the odds and divide by 100. Example: $100 × 150 ÷ 100 = $150 profit. For negative odds (favourite): divide 100 by the odds, multiply by your bet. Example: 100 ÷ 180 × $100 = $55.56 profit.
Q: What is the difference between moneyline and spread betting?
A: Moneyline betting is purely about picking the winner — no point margin matters. Spread betting adds a handicap (e.g., –7.5 points) to level the odds between favourite and underdog. Spreads create closer-to-even payouts; moneylines reflect the true quality gap.
Q: Can I combine moneyline bets into a parlay?
A: Yes. A moneyline parlay combines multiple moneyline picks into one bet. All picks must win for the parlay to pay out. The odds multiply together, creating higher payouts but higher risk than single moneylines.
Q: How do sportsbooks make money on moneyline bets?
A: Sportsbooks profit through 'juice' or 'vigorish' — a margin built into the odds. A typical line shows –110 on both sides, meaning you must risk $110 to win $100. The $10 gap is the book's commission, creating a 4.5% margin.
Q: What is 'juice' and how does it affect my moneyline bet?
A: Juice (vigorish) is the bookmaker's commission, visible in the gap between favourite and underdog odds. Standard juice is –110/–110 (4.5% margin). Higher juice means worse payouts for you. Shopping for –105 lines instead of –110 saves money long-term.
Q: How do line movements affect moneyline bets?
A: Lines move due to sharp money (professional bettors), public betting patterns, injuries, or weather. Betting before a line moves in your favour can improve your odds. Conversely, betting after a negative move reduces your edge. Monitoring line movement is a key strategy.