Moneyline, Spread, or Totals? A Beginner's Guide to Basic Betting Types

If you're just getting into sports betting, all the words they use can sound confusing. Moneyline, Point Spread, Over/Under… it can feel like a lot. But don't worry, it's not as hard as it looks.

These three types of bets are the basis for almost every bet you'll make. Once you get them, sports betting will make a lot more sense. So, let's go over them one by one, in simple terms.

1. Moneyline Betting: Just Pick the Winner

This is the easiest bet ever. You simply pick the team you think will win the game. It doesn't matter if they barely win or win by a lot; if your team wins, so do you.

How much you win depends on how likely the team is to win.

• For the favorite: The team that's likely to win pays out less. You need to bet more to make decent money because they're expected to win.
• For the underdog: The team that's expected to lose pays out more. A small bet on them can pay big if they win.

Basically: Moneyline is great for beginners and for sports where there are no ties, like tennis or baseball. It's all about who wins.

2. Point Spread: Betting on How Much a Team Will Win By

This is where betting gets a bit more interesting because it makes things more even. With a Point Spread, you're not just betting on who wins; you’re betting on how much they win or lose by.

Sportsbooks give the favored team a handicap. This means the favorite has to win by more than a certain number of points—not just win the game.

The underdog gets an advantage. They can either win the game or lose by fewer points than the spread, and you still win your bet.

For example, with a -7.5 point spread:

• If you bet on the favorite, they must win by 8 points or more.
• If you bet on the underdog, you win if they win the game or lose by 7 points or less.

This is why Point Spread is popular in football and basketball. It makes every game exciting to bet on, even if one team is way better.

3. The "Totals" Bet (Over/Under): Predicting the Game's Tempo

Ever watch a game and just know it's gonna be either a low-scoring grind or a total point-fest, but you have no idea who's going to come out on top? Well, that's where the Totals bet comes in handy. You're not picking sides. You're just betting on the total score of the game.

Here's the deal: The sportsbook sets a number for the game – like, say, 215.5 for a basketball game. That number is the line.

• You can bet Over that line if you think both teams will score a combined 216 points or more.
• Or, you can bet Under the line if you think they'll score 215 points or less together.

It's a great bet to make when you know the teams' styles but aren't sure about the final outcome. It's all about predicting the flow of the game, not the final victory.

See? It's really not that complicated. Master these three basic bets, and you'll be able to bet smarter and with a lot more confidence.