Moneyline, Point Spread and Totals: Sports Betting Markets Explained
Open any sportsbook and you'll see the same three numbers next to almost every game: a moneyline, a point spread and a total. Together they cover most of the money bet on football, basketball, hockey and baseball. Once you understand how they work, and how to read the odds attached to them, every other market makes much more sense.
How American odds work
US-facing sportsbooks usually show American odds. They are built around a $100 bet:
- Negative odds (-150) show how much you must bet to win $100 profit. At -150, a $150 bet returns $250 in total if it wins.
- Positive odds (+130) show how much profit a $100 bet wins. At +130, a $100 bet returns $230 in total.
Most sportsbooks let you switch to decimal odds in your settings. Decimal odds include your stake: 2.50 means a $10 bet returns $25.
Implied probability: the number behind the price
Every price implies a probability. To convert:
- Negative odds: odds ÷ (odds + 100). For -150, that is 150 ÷ 250 = 60%.
- Positive odds: 100 ÷ (odds + 100). For +130, that is 100 ÷ 230 = 43.5%.
Add the two sides of a market together and you'll get more than 100%. In this example, 60% + 43.5% = 103.5%. The extra 3.5% is the sportsbook's margin, also called the vig or juice. A bet is only good value if you think the real chance of it winning is higher than the implied probability.
The moneyline
A moneyline bet is a bet on who wins the game, nothing more. The favorite has negative odds and the underdog positive odds:
| Team | Moneyline | $100 bet returns |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite | -200 | $150 ($50 profit) |
| Underdog | +170 | $270 ($170 profit) |
Moneylines are the main market in baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis and esports, where games are low scoring or have no points at all.
The point spread
The spread evens out a mismatch by giving the underdog a head start. If a team is -6.5, it must win by 7 or more for the bet to win. The opponent at +6.5 wins the bet if it wins outright or loses by 6 or fewer.
Spreads are usually priced near -110 on both sides, so the decision is about the margin, not the payout. They dominate football and basketball betting. Hockey and baseball use fixed versions called the puck line and run line, usually set at 1.5.
If the result lands exactly on a whole-number spread (a team at -3 wins by exactly 3), the bet is a push and your stake is returned.
Totals (over/under)
A total is a bet on the combined score of both teams. If the total is 47.5 and the final score is 27-24, the game produced 51 points, so the over wins. Totals are popular because you don't need to pick a winner, only the shape of the game. Weather, pace of play and injuries to key players all move totals.
Why lines move
Odds change between the opening line and kick-off. Sportsbooks move lines when money comes in heavily on one side, when news breaks (injuries, lineups, weather) or when sharp bettors find value. Betting early can get you a better number; betting late gives you more information. Comparing prices across more than one sportsbook is one of the simplest ways to improve your long-term results.
Where to bet
Both sportsbooks in our lineup cover these markets. BetWhale pairs a full sportsbook with one of the lowest bonus rollovers we list, and Thunderpick is strongest on esports. New to esports? Read our esports betting guide next.
Keep it simple
Start with small stakes on markets you understand, set a budget before you start, and avoid chasing losses with bigger bets. Sports betting is entertainment, and even skilled bettors lose a large share of their bets.
Frequently asked questions
What does -110 mean?
It means you must bet $110 to win $100 profit. On a $10 bet you would win about $9.09. It is the standard price on point spreads and totals, and the gap between it and an even-money bet is the sportsbook's margin.
What is the difference between a moneyline and a spread bet?
A moneyline bet is simply on who wins. A spread bet gives one team a head start, so the favorite must win by more than the spread and the underdog can lose by less than it and still win the bet.
What happens if the result lands exactly on the spread or total?
That is a push. Your stake is returned. Lines with a half point, such as -3.5, cannot push.
Which market is best for beginners?
The moneyline is the simplest to understand. Totals are a good next step because you don't need to pick a winner, only whether the game will be high or low scoring.
18+ only. Gambling involves risk; only bet what you can afford to lose. See our responsible gambling page for help and tools.
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