The moneyline is the simplest bet in football — you pick who wins the game, and if your team wins, you win the bet.
No spreads, no totals. Just pick the winner. Here's exactly how moneyline odds work and how to read them.
Reading Moneyline Odds
Football moneyline odds use the American odds format with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign:
Example:
- Kansas City Chiefs: -180
- Las Vegas Raiders: +155
The minus sign (-180) indicates the favorite. To win $100, you must bet $180. The plus sign (+155) indicates the underdog. A $100 bet wins you $155.
You don't have to bet exactly $100. Those are just reference points. You can bet any amount and scale accordingly.
How to Calculate Moneyline Payouts
Betting the favorite (-180):
- Stake $180 → Win $100 profit → Total returned: $280
Betting the underdog (+155):
- Stake $100 → Win $155 profit → Total returned: $255
The bigger the minus number, the larger the favorite. A -400 favorite requires you to risk $400 to win $100 — meaning the sportsbook sees them as very likely to win.
When Should You Bet the Moneyline?
The moneyline is a good choice when:
- You strongly believe one team wins outright but may not cover a large spread
- You're betting on a heavy underdog where the payout justifies the risk
- The game matchup makes the spread less relevant (e.g., two defensive teams where scoring margins are unpredictable)
Avoid laying heavy moneyline juice (e.g., -300 or worse) unless you have a compelling reason. Losing one of those bets requires multiple wins just to break even.
Moneyline vs. Point Spread in Football
The point spread gives the underdog virtual points to make the bet more balanced. The moneyline doesn't — it just adjusts the payout to reflect the mismatch. For lopsided games, the spread is often a more interesting bet. For close matchups, the moneyline keeps it simple.
Track all your football bets with Oddible to see which bet type — moneyline or spread — performs better for your picks.
