Moneyline vs Spread Betting

As the sports betting market has exploded across the US, so have the options for players placing bets. There are hundreds of wagers for each event. These bets have become increasingly complex and niche, with some betting sites allowing players to make minute-to-minute wagers on what’s going to happen next in events.

Oct 18 2024, 5:08am | 5 read

However, two of the most popular bet types in the US are some of the most simple: the moneyline and the point spread. Read our guide to find out how each type of betting works, how to read odds with these wagers, and the benefits of each bet type.

What is Moneyline Betting?

A moneyline bet is one of the most straightforward wagers you can place at a US sportsbook. You only need to predict which team or athlete will win an event. If you’re right, your bet will win, and you’ll get your stake and a profit. If not, you’ll lose your money.

While most sports that feature moneyline betting, like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, rarely end in ties, this can happen. When this happens, your sportsbook will give you a push, giving you back your stake without any profits or losses.

What is Point Spread Betting?

With point spread betting, your sportsbook will apply a point deficit to the favorite and a point advantage to the underdog. If you wager on the favorite, it needs to win by more than the deficit set by the sportsbook for your bet to be successful. The point deficit is indicated by a minus (-) symbol. For example, if the point spread is -6.5, an NFL team must win by seven points for your bet to win.

Shown by a positive (+) sign, the underdog can lose within the point margin displayed by the sportsbook or win for your wager to be a success. A sportsbook may offer a point spread of +3 on a team that can lose by two points or win.

If a point spread is an exact amount like the example above, and that’s the final score, you will get your money back as a push.

Moneyline vs Spread Betting Odds

Sportsbooks use the same odds system for moneyline and spread betting, so you don’t need to know anything special to understand each bet type. Remember, when placing a spread bet, you’ll have two pieces of information to consider: the point spread set by the sportsbook (like -4.5) and the odds of that happening.

Most US sportsbooks use one of three types of sports betting odds: American odds, decimal odds, and fractional odds. Decimals are the simplest, with the number (like 4.00) showing you how much you can win, including a $1 wager. With fractional odds (7/2 or 5/1), the number on the left is how much profit you can make by betting the number on the right. With American odds, a triple-digit number will tell you how much profit you can make by betting $100 if it’s got a plus (+) sign (+350), or how much you need to bet to profit $100 if it’s got a minus (-) sign (-110).

Benefits of Moneyline vs Spread Betting

As moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward bets you can make, it’s perfect for beginner bettors. Most casual sports fans have made informal predictions about which team or athlete will win an event, so moneylines will be a familiar concept for many new sportsbook users.

Point spread betting is perfect for events with a heavy favorite, as you sometimes see in sports like college football. Games with strong favorites will have low-value odds for the moneyline, and while betting on the underdog can provide a huge payout, it’s unlikely to hit. Point spreads allow you to add interest to more events, as there will be more even odds available.

Moneyline vs Spread Betting FAQs

Is spread betting better than moneyline betting?

Different types of betting appeal to different people, so which wager is best is entirely down to personal preference Moneylines are easy to understand and, therefore, may be best for beginner bettors. Meanwhile, point spreads are perfect for events with a heavy favorite.

Can I combine spread and moneyline bets in a parlay?

Yes, most US sportsbooks will allow you to add moneylines and spreads to the same parlay. With a parlay bet, you can wager on multiple events in the same wager. If one of your predictions is wrong, you lose the whole bet. However, because of this added risk, you get greater odds with parlays than just betting on markets individually.

Can I place moneyline and spreads at US sportsbooks?

Yes, US sportsbooks will allow you to place moneyline, point spread bets, and a wide range of other wagers. Moneylines and spreads are often the first markets you’ll see when you select an event for wagering. These bet types are also among the most common to receive odds boosts from betting sites.