Although basketball is enjoyed worldwide, most of its fan base is undoubtedly in the United States.
Here, a legion of enthusiastic followers often places bets on NBA games, with the moneyline bet being one of the most favoured wager types.
If you are a new follower of basketball or have been a fan for quite some time but are yet to place a bet on a game, this guide will explore the moneyline bet in basketball.
Our online betting guide will explain how the moneyline works and examine its advantages and disadvantages
We will also offer tips for making informed basketball predictions based on moneyline bets.
Having set the stage, we shall explain basketball moneyline betting in more detail.
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Moneyline Betting Explained
A moneyline bet in basketball is a straightforward way to wager on the outcome of a game. Unlike point spread betting, which involves betting on the margin of victory, moneyline betting is simply about picking the outright winner.
To explain the moneyline meaning, each team is assigned odds based on their likelihood of winning
Positive and negative numbers represent these odds. The favourite team will have negative odds (e.g., -150), meaning you need to bet $150 to win $100. The underdog will have positive odds (e.g., +200), indicating a $100 bet will win you $200 if they prevail.
For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Boston Celtics, and the Lakers are listed at -150 while the Celtics are at +200, betting $150 on the Lakers would yield a $100 profit if they win. Conversely, a $100 bet on the Celtics would net a $200 profit if they win.
The simplicity of moneyline betting makes it appealing, especially for newcomers. However, the payouts are directly tied to the perceived strength of the teams, meaning the risk and reward vary significantly between favourites and underdogs.
Here are a couple of example scenarios and what you could expect when you place moneyline bets with specific odds:
| Game |
Odds |
Stake |
Payout |
| Lakers vs. Celtics |
Lakers: -150, Celtics: +200 |
$150 on Lakers / $100 on Celtics |
Lakers win: $250 total ($100 profit) / Celtics win: $300 total ($200 profit) |
| Heat vs. Bulls |
Heat: -200, Bulls: +180 |
$200 on Heat / $100 on Bulls |
Heat win: $300 total ($100 profit) / Bulls win: $280 total ($180 profit) |
| Warriors vs. Suns |
Warriors: -110, Suns: +120 |
$110 on Warriors / $100 on Suns |
Warriors win: $210 total ($100 profit) / Suns win: $220 total ($120 profit) |
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Using Moneyline on Basketball
If our moneyline betting guide has piqued your interest, here are the main reasons why you would use the concept to bet on basketball:
Simplicity and Accessibility
One of the primary reasons bettors opt for moneyline betting is its simplicity. Unlike point spread betting, which requires understanding how many points a team must win by, moneyline betting is straightforward: you’re simply picking which team will win the game.
This makes it an ideal choice for beginners needing help with point spreads and other bet types.
Focus on the Outcome
Moneyline betting allows you to focus solely on the game's outcome without worrying about margins of victory. This can be particularly appealing in basketball, where the final score can fluctuate significantly due to the game's fast-paced nature.
By betting on the moneyline, you eliminate the need to predict how much a team will win by simplifying your decision-making process.
Strategic Betting on Underdogs
Moneyline betting offers the potential for higher returns when betting on underdogs. In basketball, upsets happen, and underdogs can and do win games.
When you bet on an underdog with positive moneyline odds (e.g., +200), the potential payout is substantial compared to betting on favourites.
This can make moneyline betting particularly attractive if you know when an underdog might pull off an upset. Thorough research and knowledge of team form, injuries, and other factors can help identify valuable betting opportunities.
Flexibility and Live Betting
Moneyline bets are flexible and can be placed before the game starts or during live betting. Live betting on the moneyline allows you to place wagers as the game unfolds and react to the action in real time.
This can be advantageous if you notice momentum shifts, such as a star player getting injured or a team going on a significant scoring run. The ability to place live moneyline bets adds an exciting dimension to your betting experience.
Avoiding Point Spread Pitfalls
Point spread betting requires predicting not only which team will win but also by how much. This can be challenging in basketball due to the sport's high-scoring nature and the potential for last-minute changes in the score.
Moneyline betting removes this complexity, making it easier to predict outcomes without worrying about the exact margin of victory. This can be especially useful in games where you believe a team will win but are unsure if they will cover the spread.
Managing Risk
Moneyline betting allows for better risk management. While betting on favourites typically involves higher stakes for smaller returns, it also carries less risk than betting on underdogs.
Conversely, betting on underdogs can lead to higher rewards with smaller stakes.This balance allows bettors to tailor their strategies according to their risk tolerance and betting goals.
Enhancing Enjoyment of the Game
Finally, moneyline betting can enhance your enjoyment of basketball games. By having a stake in the game's outcome, you may be more engaged and invested in the action.
This added excitement can make watching games even more thrilling, especially when the team you’ve backed is competing for the win.
Pros vs Cons of using Moneyline in sports betting
Regardless of the type of betting, there will always be pros and cons attached to it. With this in mind, our moneyline betting guide highlights the positives and negatives.
Pros
- Simplicity:
Moneyline betting is straightforward, requiring only a pick of the outright winner, making it ideal for beginners.
- Focus on Outcome:
It eliminates the need to consider point spreads, allowing bettors to concentrate solely on the game's result.
- Underdog Value:
Betting on underdogs can yield significant payouts. If you correctly predict an upset, the returns can be substantial.
- Live Betting Opportunities:
Moneyline bets can be placed during the game, allowing bettors to react to real-time momentum shifts and game developments.
Cons
- Lower Returns on favourites:
Betting on favourites often requires a large stake for a relatively small return, which might not appeal to all bettors.
- Higher Risk with Underdogs:
While underdogs offer better payouts, the likelihood of winning these bets is lower, increasing the risk.
- Less Strategic Depth:
Without point spreads, some bettors might find moneyline betting lacks the strategic depth and challenge they seek.
- Market Volatility:
Odds can shift quickly, especially in live betting scenarios, which might make it harder to find value bets.
What sports can you wager on using Moneyline?
In addition to our moneyline betting guide focussing solely on basketball, you can also wager on many other sports. Here are just a few examples of where and how a moneyline bet may be made elsewhere:
Like basketball, you bet on the team you think will win outright. For example, if the New England Patriots are -180 against the Miami Dolphins at +150, you’d bet $180 to win $100 on the Patriots or $100 to win $150 on the Dolphins, similar to choosing the winner in a Lakers vs. Celtics game.
Baseball moneyline betting is straightforward, much like basketball. You pick which team will win. For instance, if the New York Yankees are -200 favourites against the Boston Red Sox at +170, the betting principle is the same as in basketball: wager more on favourites or take a risk on underdogs for higher payouts.
Hockey also uses moneyline betting, where you choose the outright winner of the game. If the Chicago Blackhawks are -130 against the Detroit Red Wings at +110, you would decide based on similar logic in basketball moneyline bets, allowing you to develop a moneyline betting strategy.
Summary of Moneyline
Moneyline betting in basketball is a straightforward method of wagering where you simply pick the outright winner of a game. This type of bet is popular due to its simplicity, making it accessible for novice and experienced bettors.
This online betting guide explained how moneyline odds work, favourites indicated by negative numbers and underdogs by positive numbers.
We discussed the pros, including its ease of understanding, the potential for high payouts when betting on underdogs, and suitability for live betting.
Conversely, the cons include lower returns for betting on favourites and higher risks when backing underdogs
Overall, moneyline betting offers a straightforward and engaging way to bet on basketball, allowing you to enjoy the excitement of the game while focusing on who will win.
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FAQ of Moneyline
🏀 What is moneyline betting?
Moneyline betting is a type of wager in which you bet on the outright winner of a game or event. Unlike point spread betting, no points are involved; you choose which team or player you think will win.
🔢 How do moneyline odds work?
Moneyline odds indicate how much you can win on a bet relative to your wager. In American odds, favourites are indicated by a negative number (e.g., -150) and underdogs by a positive number (e.g., +200). A -150 favourite means you need to bet $150 to win $100, while a +200 underdog means a $100 bet would win you $200.
❓ What happens if there is a tie in a moneyline bet?
If a game or event ends in a tie and no draw option is offered, the bet is usually considered a push, and the original wager is refunded. Some sports, like soccer, offer a three-way moneyline that includes the draw as an option.
📊 How do bookmakers set moneyline odds?
Bookmakers set moneyline odds based on various factors, including team/player performance, historical data, injuries, weather conditions, and betting market activity. They aim to balance the book by attracting bets on both sides.
➕ Can you parlay moneyline bets?
You can parlay moneyline bets, combining multiple moneyline bets into a single wager. The potential payout increases with each selection added, but all bets must win for the parlay to pay out.
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