Beginner
Moneyline Betting
A moneyline bet is the simplest form of sports wager: you pick which team will win the game outright. No spreads, no point totals — just the winner.
Example — NFL
Patriots -150 vs. Jets +130
A $150 wager on the Patriots returns $100 if they win. A $100 wager on the Jets returns $130 if they win.
How It Works at MA Sportsbooks
Moneyline odds are expressed in American format at every Massachusetts sportsbook. A negative number (e.g. -150) indicates the favorite and shows how much you must wager to win $100. A positive number (e.g. +130) indicates the underdog and shows how much you win on a $100 stake. Moneyline betting is offered on every NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college game at all seven licensed MA operators.
Pros
- Simplest bet type to understand
- Available on every game
- No point spread to cover
Cons
- Heavy favorites pay very little
- Limited value on lopsided matchups
Pro Tips
- Compare moneyline prices across multiple MA sportsbooks — line shopping can yield 5-10% better returns
- Underdog moneylines often offer better expected value than favorite moneylines
- Use the moneyline as the foundation for parlays and same-game parlays