This would mean bettors would need to wager $10,000 just to win $100! In a college football game where top-ranked Alabama is playing an FCS opponent and is expected to win easily, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Crimson Tide as a -10,000 favorite on the moneyline. Games that are expected to be one-sided will see a larger gap in the moneylines. The MLB moneyline below is an example of a game that was expected to be close in competition. Games that are expected to be close competitions will have less variance between the two sides’ moneyline odds. Most often, moneyline odds are presented in an American Odds format that displays odds with positive and negative numbers that meet at 100.

The online sportsbooks calculate moneyline odds based on each team’s implied probability of winning the game, and because not all teams are equal, moneyline odds will vary from game to game.

Implied Probability: The likelihood of an outcome occurring based on the odds.

Vigorish ( Vig): The commission charged by a sportsbook on bets.

Underdog: The team or athlete expected to lose the game or match.

Favorite: The team or athlete expected to win the game or match.

Here are some terms that we will be using through the guide which you should about (if you don't already):

Underdogs have a lower win probability, usually for the same reasons. Favorites have a higher implied probability of winning a game due to a number of factors, including skill, matchup factors, and sometimes home-field advantage. The most basic moneylines are a two-way market involving a favorite and an underdog. Moneyline betting is one of the three most common ways that people bet on sports, along with point spread betting and Over/Under betting. Moneyline odds are very popular with new sports bettors because you’re simply picking which side will win. It's an easy-to-understand bet that's perfect for beginners and seasoned bettors alike. The goal is to pick the winner, and that's it.

In this type of wager, bettors choose a team or individual athlete, like a tennis player, to win a game or match. Moneyline betting is a simple and popular way to bet on sports.

What does money line mean in gambling