A money line bet is the simplest wager in sports betting: pick the winner, collect if they win. No point spread, no margin required — just pick the right side.

What exactly is a money line bet?

The moneyline strips a game down to one question: who wins? Every major US sportsbook offers moneyline markets on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, MMA, and soccer. The bet settles on the final result (including overtime in most standard markets).

New to the concept? The full breakdown is in the straight-win wager explainer, which covers how the bet is structured and how it differs from other bet types.

How do moneyline odds work?

US sportsbooks use American odds — a plus or minus number attached to each side.

• Negative odds (favorite): The number shows how much you must risk to profit $100. At –150, risk $150 to win $100 profit.
• Positive odds (underdog): The number shows profit on a $100 bet. At +130, a $100 wager returns $130 profit.
• Pick 'em: Both sides priced near –110, meaning the sportsbook sees the game as a coin flip.

Heavy NFL favorites can reach –700 or higher. The underdog in that same game might sit at +500 — a $100 bet profits $500 if the upset lands. Want the full formula? See the guide on reading positive, negative, and pick 'em odds.

What does the vig cost you?

The vig (also called juice or vigorish) is the sportsbook's built-in commission. On a standard –110/–110 pick 'em, a bettor needs to win roughly 52.4% of bets just to break even. That edge belongs to the house on every single wager.

Shopping for the best number across sportsbooks — line shopping — is the single most practical way to fight back against the vig. The moneyline betting strategy guide walks through how to spot value and avoid overpaying the house.

Is moneyline betting legal in your state?

Online sports betting is live in 38-plus states and Washington D.C. as of 2025, following the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that struck down the federal ban. California, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida still lack legal online markets. Minimum age is 21 in most states; Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Montana allow wagering at 18 in some formats.

Check the state-by-state legal overview to confirm your state's status before signing up anywhere.

Where should you place a money line bet?

Stick to licensed, regulated sportsbooks. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two largest by market share. BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, and BetRivers are also widely available across legal states. Each offers moneyline markets on every major sport.

The best sportsbooks for moneyline betting page compares DraftKings, FanDuel, and the rest on the features that actually matter for this bet type.

Must be 21+ (18+ in select states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Common money line bet questions

Does the moneyline cover overtime? Can you parlay moneyline legs? What's a 3-way moneyline in soccer? Those answers and more are in the moneyline betting FAQ.

If you want a step-by-step walkthrough of placing your first wager inside an app, the how-to guide for placing a moneyline bet covers account setup through bet confirmation on a legal platform.

The short version

A money line bet asks one thing: who wins? Negative odds flag the favorite; positive odds flag the underdog. The vig is always working against you, so understanding odds before you bet matters more than most beginners realize. Legal markets are open in most US states — find a licensed app, read the numbers, and bet within your limits.