♠PokerInsider
Understanding Moneyline Bets: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Sports BettingSeptember 11, 2026·1 min read

Understanding Moneyline Bets: A Simple Guide for Beginners


The moneyline bet is a wager on the outright winner of an event. The odds are expressed as both positive and negative numbers to help players understand which participants are favored to win. A positive number, +100 means that for every $100 you bet, you can expect to win $100 back in profit. A negative number, -100, means that to win $100, you need to bet $100.

In the NFL 2026/2027 Season opening game, the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots were priced as follows: Seattle -174, Patriots +146. This means the Seahawks are favorites, and the Patriots are underdogs. Moneyline bets are worth anyone’s while as they offer a simple way of engaging with sports betting, and do away with most of the added complexities of the game.

Sportsbooks make sure to offer you a simple enough way to comprehend the information you act on. The Betting Slip automatically calculates how much you stand to theoretically win based on the odds and the amount you have placed. The numerical value in a moneyline bet expresses the implied probability of an event happening.

Share this article

Argus Riven

By

Argus Riven

I've spent years at the tables — cash and tournaments — and just as long shaping poker copy behind the scenes: room reviews, bonus fine print, tournament notes. At PokerInsider I write the way I wish more sites would: clear structure, honest trade-offs, no hype. Whether you're new or already grinding, I care about what the offer actually costs you — rake, variance, and the fine print — and I treat responsible play as part of the job, not a footnote.

♠More in Sports betting

Nearly 43% of Teens Gambled in the Past Year, Study Finds

Nearly 43% of Teens Gambled in the Past Year, Study Finds

1 min read
NBA Teams Up With Kalshi and Polymarket for Prediction Markets

NBA Teams Up With Kalshi and Polymarket for Prediction Markets

1 min read
Maksym Shtun: Prediction Markets Could Be Only P2P

Maksym Shtun: Prediction Markets Could Be Only P2P

1 min read
←All Articles♠ PokerInsider