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How does money line work in basketball

Basketball Moneyline Bets Explained — Comprehensive 2022 NBA Guide

NBA moneylines are fun and simple and this guide makes it easy to learn with tips and strategies to make smart NBA bets.

Trevor Knapp

Last Updated: Oct 14, 2022 11:54 AM ET Read Time: 10 min

Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Betting basketball point spreads can be daunting and quite tricky for first-time bettors. Luckily, NBA moneyline betting is way more straightforward.

What is a moneyline bet in basketball?

Betting the moneyline (ML) in the NBA means simply picking which team wins the game outright. Moneyline favorites have a negative value (-110), while moneyline underdogs have a positive value (+110). It's a two-way market, which means there are only two options to place a wager.

Team	Moneyline Odds
Atlanta Hawks	-130
Dallas Mavericks	+110

American odds are very straightforward. If a sportsbook has the Hawks listed as -130 favorites, you would have to bet $130 to win $100. If you wagered $100 on the opposing underdog Mavericks at +110, you would get a $210 return, including your original stake.

American odds are commonly used by first-time bettors, as they're the easiest to understand at first.

NBA moneylines as decimal odds

Another way to read odds is using the decimal format. Some sportsbooks won't offer the American format, so it's good to know how to use it. Using our earlier line, the Hawks and Mavericks would look like this using decimal odds.

ATL 1.77

DAL 2.10

To understand these odds further, all you have to do is multiply your stake by the decimal number.

A $20 wager on the Hawks (20 x 1.77) equals a payout of $35.40, including your original stake.

A $20 bet on the Mavs (20 x 2.10) would give you a bigger payout of $42 since the decimal, in this case, is higher.

A decimal number of 2.00 signals even money (+100), with anything lower considered a negative value on the moneyline (favorite) and anything higher listed as plus money (underdog).

You can use our odds calculator and converter to help further differentiate the two.

NBA moneylines as fractional odds

Bettors will find fractional odds commonly used as the default setting on British sportsbooks.

Here is how the Hawks-Mavericks line would look in the fractional setting:

ATL 77/100

DAL 11/10

For fractional odds, you would multiply your original stake by the numerator/denominator.

If you staked $10 on the Hawks at 77/100 (10 x 19/25), you would get a total payout of $17.69 ($7.69 profit + $10 stake).

Conversely, if you bet $10 on the Mavericks at 11/10 using the same formula (10 x 11/10), your payout would be $21.00, including your original stake. Our betting calculator also converts fractional odds to help you better understand them.

Benefits of basketball moneyline bets

One of the best things about simply picking a winner is not having to worry about the margin of victory or loss that NBA point spreads pose. Moneylines are the most straightforward bet out there and take the least amount of math and homework.

Moneyline bets provide a higher payout if you back the underdog and a better chance of winning the bet altogether if you take the favorite.

In many cases, moneylines are the best way to go for games when you like a favorite to win but aren't exactly comfortable laying the points. A lot of times in basketball, there is an opportunity for a "backdoor cover." A backdoor cover is when the underdog trails late in the 4th quarter and outscores the leading team in the final minutes to cover the spread.

For example, suppose oddsmakers favor the Raptors by 12.5 points, and Toronto is blowing out the Pistons at halftime. In that case, there is a good chance they won't have their starters playing in the fourth quarter. In this case, you'd wish you bet the Raptors moneyline instead of the spread, as there is an excellent chance for a backdoor cover.

NBA moneyline tips, strategies, and advice

Now that you know how to read basketball moneyline odds, here are some tips and strategies to apply to your NBA betting.

Avoid big favorites

One of the biggest things to avoid when betting NBA moneylines is wagering on big-time favorites. Taking the Lakers at -300 means wagering three times what you could potentially win, and in the long run, will lead to a loss in bankroll.

Look to back teams at better value who you feel are being overlooked by the books. More times than not, there is a team being offered at plus money every night on the NBA schedule should be the favorite instead.

Shop for the best lines

Different sportsbooks will offer different odds. If the Jazz are +150 at one book but are at +175 at another, you are missing out on plenty of value if you're not taking the latter. It may not seem like much on a small bet, but if you're placing bigger wagers, you'd be leaving aside plenty of return.

It also doesn't hurt to create more than one sports betting account so that you can take advantage of deposit bonuses and promotions on other sites. You can compare odds at different books to find the best line using our odds comparison tool.

Monitor injury news and starting lineups

Losing even a single player to injury in basketball can affect the line of a game. It's good to brush up on injury news the night before a match and know the starting lineups ahead of time, so you know if the team you're backing is operating at 100 percent or not.

More often than not, there will be last-minute lineup changes a couple of hours before tip-off that can dramatically shift the line. Brushing up on local beat writers on social media can also be a great way to get ahead of the news before the general public detects it.

Look out for game day trends

Our NBA scores and matchups page can give you a quick but comprehensive look at a slate of upcoming NBA games. It's good to know a team's record over their last ten games and if they're coming into a matchup on a hot or cold streak. Knowing team records when on the road or at home as an underdog or favorite is also vital. You can also track league-wide betting trends and view the public consensus picks each day to see who the general public believes will win each contest.

It's also vital to know if a team is coming off playing the night before or favorite/underdog records when certain referees call their game.

You can find an edge if a referee is matched up against a particular star player, and they don't see eye to eye. Suns point guard Chris Paul has lost twelve straight postseason games that Scott Foster has called.

NBA betting tips and strategies

Make smarter NBA bets with Covers. These guides dive into other ways you can bet on NBA action:

NBA Over/Under Betting Tips and Strategies

NBA Point Spread Betting Tips and Strategies

NBA Parlay Betting Tips and Strategies

NBA moneyline FAQs

If both lines are equal, the match would be considered a "pick 'em," meaning that neither team is favored to win, and the point spread would be zero in this case. This usually points to signs that oddsmakers consider both teams to have the same chance of winning the game. The line for a pick 'em will usually be -110.

Moneylines change based on the amount of public money coming in on either side. As the time of the game draws closer, the line will also get "sharper" as the books adjust it to its most accurate line based on injury news, starting lineups, etc.

Yes, moneyline includes overtime in basketball. There are also three-way lines where a bet is settled after the fourth quarter.

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How to Win NBA Moneyline Bets in 2022

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An Essential Guide for Basketball Bettors

If you’re betting on the NBA, you’re going to encounter the ubiquitous basketball moneyline. While the moneyline can be confusing and intimidating at first glance, in reality it is quite simple.

We’ve compiled all the essential information on basketball moneylines below, along with more detailed information and advice a little further down. Using our helpful guide, you’ll be able to bet on NBA odds by understanding the moneyline with supreme confidence!

What Exactly Is a Basketball Moneyline Bet?

When you place a moneyline bet, you are merely betting on a team to win that matchup. There are only two potential outcomes, and you’re picking one or the other. It is as simple as that!

If the Detroit Pistons were playing the Golden State Warriors in a basketball game, the moneyline asks you wager on either the Pistons or the Warriors to win the game outright.

Most online sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook have moneylines as one of their most common types of bets. A moneyline wager is simple to understand and doesn’t have as many of the complexities and nuances as parlays or point spread betting. It’s a perfect option for people just getting into online sports betting.

The Essential Facts of the NBA Moneyline

There are only two options on an NBA moneyline, because obviously only two teams can play each other at any given time.

Depending on your sports betting site of choice, the moneyline will likely use what are referred to as “American odds.”

When looking at the moneyline, each team will have either a positive number next to it (e.g. +150) or a negative number (e.g. -125). The underdog will generally have a positive number next to it. The favorite will generally have a negative number next to it.

The bigger the favorite, the smaller the payout. The bigger the underdog, the bigger the payout.

In games that are expected to be very close, both teams may have a negative number (e.g. -105 and -115). In such cases, the team that is closer to zero is the slight favorite.

To help you understand, let’s look at a sample betting line!

Examples of the Moneyline at Work

The image above displays a sample betting line like those you’ll find at online basketball betting sites. We’ve highlighted the relevant part of the sample in red. The negative number (-110) next to Golden State indicates that the Warriors are the favorite. It also denotes how much money you would have to wager in order to win $100.

In this case, you’ll need to bet $200 on Golden State to make a $100 profit. Your total payout from this bet would be $300 when you add the $100 profit to your $200 stake. Of course, you don’t have to wager $200. You can bet any amount of money you like, though the payout will be commensurate with the odds.

A positive number denotes the underdog and signifies how much money you stand to win if you wager $100. If you bet $100 on OKC (and they win), you ‘d earn a $180 profit. (Again, your total payout would be $280 when you add the $180 profit to your $100 bet.)

What If Both Moneylines Are Equal?

Occasionally, both moneylines will be negative, but they won’t be identical (e.g. -115 and -105). If this is the case, the one farther from zero is the slight favorite. The greater the difference between the two teams’ odds, the greater the difference between the underdog and the favorite.

Basketball Moneylines Expressed as Fractions or Decimals

While NBA moneylines are most commonly expressed in “American odds,” you may also encounter sportsbooks that use either decimal or fractional odds. Most sportsbooks allow you to switch how the odds are displayed, flipping between American, decimal, and fractional odds. Decimal and fractional odds are part of the broader language of betting and you want to be fluent!

How to Read Decimal Odds

Decimal odds, like “2.10” or “1.90,” represent a multiplier. To calculate how much you stand to win, you simply multiply the amount you want to bet by the decimal. If you bet $5 at 2.10 odds, your return would be $10.50, which includes your original bet. (So your profit is only $5.50). A 2.10 decimal is equal to a +110 moneyline, while 1.91 means a -110 moneyline.

With decimal odds, the smaller number signifies the favorite while the larger number indicates the underdog.

How to Read Fractional Odds

In brief, fractional odds indicate how often a certain outcome is expected in a specified number of trials. To calculate the number of trials, you simply add the numerator and denominator together. Then you look at the denominator to determine how often the desired outcome will result from those trials.

Fractional odds (e.g. “2/1” or “1/3”) are slightly harder to understand than decimals, which is why they are used infrequently in NBA betting lines. When the denominator is smaller than the numerator (e.g. 2/1), it indicates an underdog (or a team with less than 50/50 chance of winning).

Conversely, when the denominator is larger than the numerator (e.g. 1/3), this indicates that the team is the favorite (or has a greater than 50/50 chance of winning).

In this case, Golden State is the favorite because their denominator (3) is larger than their numerator (1). That 1/3 fraction means that they are expected to win three times out of every four times (1+3) that this game is played (1+3). Oklahoma City, on the other hand, is only expected to win twice out of every seven times (5+2) this game is played.

A 1/3 fraction is the same as a -300 moneyline. A 5/2 fraction is the same as a +250 moneyline.

If you want more detail on reading and converting odds, please visit our guide on how to read sports odds.

Best NBA Sports Betting Promos

If you are looking for the best promos for all your NBA betting, then look no further than the top five sports betting promo pages listed below. Caesars Sportsbook are our number one pick, they offer a lucrative sign-up promo for your first deposit.

Caesars Sportsbook promos
Barstool Sportsbook promos
BetMGM Sportsbook promos
FanDuel Sportsbook promos
DraftKings Sportsbook promos

Why Do NBA Odds Change?

Sportsbooks often adjust the moneyline odds in the lead-up to the game. This is wholly dependent on where bettors are placing their money.

Sports betting sites want money distributed equally on >sides, regardless of probability. If significantly more money is being wagered on one team, sportsbooks change NBA odds to encourage betting on the team to lower the chance of losing money.

If equal money is bet on both teams, then sportsbooks can simply pay the winners from money wagered by the losers, while keeping the “juice” for themselves.

If Odds Change, Does That Affect Me?

Once you make your bet, it’s locked in. If the odds shift, it has no effect on the bet you already made. But if you haven’t wagered yet, then of course it does!

As more money comes in, the moneyline can vary from hour to hour. Moneylines on particular sporting events will also change from sportsbook to sportsbook. Be sure to shop around to find the best basketball moneyline for you: It matters in the long run!

Ready to Take on the NBA Moneyline?

Now that you’ve mastered the ins and outs of betting on the basketball moneyline, you’re ready to begin betting with confidence this NBA season. If you’re looking to expand your horizons to other types of NBA betting, be sure to check out the rest of the basketball articles in our sport-specific betting advice section.

Those looking for more advanced strategic considerations will be well-served by the content in our sports betting strategy section, where you’ll find articles specific to NBA betting and more.

However you choose to wager this basketball season, remember to bet responsibly and enjoy the action!

Information about money line bets

Money line bets are the most common type of sports bet. Due to the simplicity of the format, such bets are especially popular among beginners. In search of profit, more experienced players often pay attention to the markets of such bets. What is a money line bet? How do money line bets work? Read on to find out.

What is a money line bet?

Money line bets are the simplest and most common type of bet. Typically, the market presents bets on one of the two participants in a particular competition. All you have to do to place a money line bet is pick a likely winner and bet on him. To describe a money line bet in simple terms, it is enough to say that it is a bet on the winner of a match.

If you placed a money line bet on the team or athlete that won the match, your bet won. If this team or this athlete loses, your bet is lost. To determine the potential income from a money line bet, multiply the bet amount by its decimal multiplier.

How do money line bets work?

Moneyline bets are the most popular in sports such as baseball, tennis and mixed martial arts (within the UFC). These bets are also popular in the NBA and NFL markets, but due to the high scoring of basketball and American football games, players prefer to bet on other types of bets (for example, bets on totals and handicap bets).

Sports betting information: how to bet on sports?

The most common money line bet placed by bettors is in connection with sports competitions involving two teams or two athletes that cannot result in a tie. At the same time, players can place money line bets on football matches and other competitions that may well end in a draw.

Such bets may be called "money line" bets with three possible outcomes of the competition (including a draw). However, they are most commonly referred to as 1X2 bets (where 1 is the home team, X is a draw, and 2 is the away team). In addition, football has more traditional “two-way money line” bets, the odds of which are adjusted so that the players do not have the opportunity to bet on a draw: if neither team wins, the bookmaker will refund the bettors.

It is important not to be tied to a particular market. Don't give preference to money line bets, handicap bets or over/under bets. Of course, a player can specialize in a certain market, but at the same time, he needs to be able to analyze the overall picture of the competition, which is formed due to various betting markets.

Unlike Over/Under (Totals), Handicap betting and many other bets, money line bets are processed solely on the basis of the outcome of the match, and the difference in the score and the number of points scored by the participants do not count. such rates are irrelevant. The offered coefficients reflect the probability of victory or defeat of each participant in the competition (that is, they determine the favorite and the outsider).

Although money line bets are very different from handicap bets, there are similarities between them. The higher the handicap of the favorite, the more likely it is to win. Thus, the higher the handicap, the lower the money line odds on the favorite (and the higher the odds on the underdog).

Players often use handicap betting as an alternative to money line betting when there is a significant difference in the quality of play between opposing teams or athletes. If you are confident enough that a certain team will win and you think that the actual difference in the score will exceed the one predicted by the bookmaker, it is worth placing a bet with a handicap: this will give you the opportunity to increase your winnings. After all, guessing the difference in the score is more difficult than just choosing a likely winner.

How are money line bets different from 1X2 bets?

As already mentioned, the difference between money line bets and 1X2 bets may seem relatively small, but this difference can have a significant impact on odds and bet results.

The main difference between these types of bets is the option to choose a draw. Moneyline betting markets generally have two options: Team or Player A wins and Team or Player B wins. The most commonly used 1X2 betting markets in football have both of these options plus a draw.

According to some people, the difference between these types of rates comes down to the choice of terms. This is why, when placing a money line bet on a competition that could result in a draw, it is important to understand which outcome you are betting on. It is necessary to determine the market to which the placed bet belongs: 1X2 (the money line betting market with three possible outcomes of the competition) or the traditional money line betting market, in connection with which there is no draw. If you place a bet on the 1X2 market and think it's a regular money line bet, you're in for a nasty surprise if you tie: the bookmaker won't refund your bet.

Money Line Example

The concept of money line bets is easy to understand, but it's helpful to look at an example to help beginners understand the ins and outs of these bets. Below is an example of Pinnacle's NFL money line betting market.

These odds suggest that the Kansas City Chiefs have a 79.56% chance of winning, while the Houston Texans have a 20.44% chance of winning. If you think the Houston Texans will win, or if there is more than a 20.44% chance of this happening, you can place a money line bet accordingly. To do this, you simply need to add the specified selection to the bet slip and place a bet.

If the Houston Texans beat the Kansas City Chiefs, your bet wins and you get €47.40 (€37.40 profit plus €10 stake). If the Chiefs beat the Texans, your bet will lose and be worth €0.

Money Line Betting Strategy: When to Bet

Once you understand how money line betting works, you will be able to use different methods or strategies to find profitable bets. People who play the fun betting markets usually choose their favorite team or the team they think has the best chance of winning. Serious players pay more attention to the concept of profit and bet on a team that, judging by the betting odds, the bookmaker underestimated.

If you intend to use the money line betting strategy to make a profit in the long run, it is important to understand the theory of probability. The ability to convert betting odds into probabilities can help you understand what outcome the bookmaker is counting on (along with the rest of the betting market).

Betting odds explained: what are odds?

You may be using a complex math model, using a simplified rating system, or simply comparing betting odds between an efficient bookmaker and a bookmaker that doesn't adjust the odds in the right way. The concept of benefit in all these cases remains unchanged. You are looking for the outcomes of the competitions, the actual probability of which exceeds the expected probability of the bookmaker, as judged by the available betting odds.

The player must not be tied to a specific market. Don't give preference to money line bets, handicap bets or over/under bets. Of course, a player may specialize in a certain market or have access to data that makes it easier to find an advantage. However, at the same time, the player needs to be able to analyze the overall picture of the competition, which is formed due to various markets and helps to make decisions on the basis of which it is possible to place bets.

March Madness Betting Guide 2021

March 11, 2021

Regardless of the reason, people love to play during sporting events. One of the exciting things about betting on sports like basketball is that there are many ways to build a profitable betting plan and strategy.

Basketball betting is an interesting way to earn money. It can also be tricky as there are different types of stakes involved. But once you have basketball betting experience, you will gain more knowledge about it. There are many ways to choose winning bets, such as analyzing advanced tips, using guides to select winners, indicating what you should take advantage of, adjusting your mindset as there are people who are not sure if their mind works, and a few more examples of how the player watches games and places bets.

It's safe to say that when you play sports gambling, you take risks and know how to behave on such a platform. One of the best things you can do to increase this chance is to learn your strategies as you place bets and make money.

Betting can be profitable if you are into sports and gambling. There are many betting experts willing to share their knowledge. To learn more about this, you can go here.

Money line odds

Money line odds is also called a straight bet (SU) which involves picking a winner. Money line betting also involves placing your bet on the side that will give you the best chance of winning. For example, if you place a Moneyline bet on a specific team, it doesn't matter how many wins they get; You win anyway. But, if they lose any points, you will lose your bet.

The favorite team most likely to win will be listed with a minus sign (-), while the losing team is predicted to be marked with a plus sign (+). These signs indicate how this or that part of the bet will be paid out. The positive part will pay more and the negative part will pay less than the original rate.

The goal of the bookmaker is based on the exact amount to bet on each part of the game. The money line betting strategy is to predict when and how the money line will move. The more you can predict movements, the more profitable you will be.

Spot Spreads

The easiest way to bet on basketball. This type of bet uses a spread to allow the losing team to score points, making it more attractive to bettors.

Point spreads are usually based on underdogs and favorites. Favorites means the team is predicted to win, while underdog means the team is predicted to lose, to highlight the difference in fairness. It is very difficult to win in sports betting, and the main thing is to choose the right side of the bet.

You have a great chance to make money on basketball spreads. You just need to develop a winning strategy that will help you. Such a bet can be tricky. This can help you give a clear idea of the game. You just need to look at the dots of the spread lines and know which lines to focus on before looking at the bookmaker lines.

Total

Another popular betting method is over/under odds, also known as total. Total is a bet in which you have to correctly predict and combine the results of both sides. You must choose whether this total score will be higher or lower than the number set by the odds compilers, the people who set the lines and the odds.

Forecasters analyze a two-team match, looking at both offensive and defensive performance, and calculate the total points scored by both teams in the game.

When figuring out over/under in a basketball game, you should focus on the movements of each team, such as past head-to-heads; where two teams used to play defensively, Trends; involves the best way to break up over/under situations and player matches; if the team is on the edge of the position, which leads to a scoring situation.

Some players think they can determine the best bets from what other players are doing. Watching each team's lines move is a way to know when to take advantage when choosing basketball bets. Examining moves above or below the line will help you see the impact on your overall results.

In conclusion

Gambling in basketball has grown in popularity over the years. Great ways and strategies when betting on basketball are watching as many games as possible, watching the lines move and each team's positions leading to a scoring situation, each team's characteristics and most importantly, mastering different types of betting techniques.