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Moneyline, Point Spread & Totals (Over/Under) Explained

Learn the three core bet types in sports betting – moneyline, point spread and totals – how odds and payouts work, and when each market makes sense for a recreational bettor.

Start simple: if you’re new to sports betting, master these three bet types before touching parlays, props or same-game specials. Almost every other market is a variation on these.

Quick Odds & Implied Probability Refresh

Sportsbooks usually display odds in American format (e.g., -120, +200) or decimal format (1.83, 3.00). Beneath each price is an implied probability – what the odds say about how likely the bet is to win.

  • Negative American odds (e.g., -150) show how much you must stake to win 100 units.
  • Positive American odds (e.g., +200) show how much you’d win on a 100-unit stake.
  • Decimal odds (e.g., 1.80) show total return per 1 unit (including your stake).

If this is new, read Odds Explained first and bookmark our Odds & Parlay Calculators to convert formats and see implied probabilities.

Sports Betting 101 Moneyline Point Spread Totals

1. Moneyline Bets – Just Pick the Winner

A moneyline bet is the simplest type of sports bet: you’re just choosing which team or player will win the game or match. No point spread, no margins – just win or lose.

Matchup Moneyline Meaning
Team A -150 You must bet $150 to profit $100 (Team A is the favourite).
Team B +130 A $100 bet would profit $130 if Team B wins (underdog).

If the game ends in a tie and the market was 2-way (no draw option), the sportsbook rules determine whether it’s a push, loss, or graded differently. Many North American sports use 2-way markets that include overtime.

When moneylines make sense

  • You want a simple “who wins?” bet.
  • Point spreads feel confusing while you’re learning.
  • You think the favourite is mispriced and still offers value at a short price.
  • Or you believe an underdog has a better shot than the odds imply.

Tip: Instead of saying “I think they’ll win”, ask “Do I think they win more often than the odds suggest?” That’s the step toward EV-based thinking.

2. Point Spreads – Adjusting for Strength Differences

Point spreads are used when one team is clearly better. The sportsbook “adds” or “subtracts” points so each side is closer to a 50/50 proposition.

Matchup Spread Odds What has to happen?
Team A -3.5 -110 Team A must win by 4+ points to cover the spread.
Team B +3.5 -110 Team B can win outright or lose by 3 or fewer points.

Spreads can be whole numbers (-3.0) or half-points (-3.5). If the final margin lands exactly on a whole-number spread (e.g., Team A wins by 3 on a -3.0 line), the bet is usually a push and stakes are refunded.

Why spreads matter for recreational bettors

  • They prevent you from paying a huge premium just to back big favourites on the moneyline.
  • They let you have an opinion on margins, not just winners.
  • Both sides often pay similar odds (e.g., -110), making it easier to compare.

Spread vs moneyline, in practice

Suppose a heavy favourite is -300 on the moneyline and -7.5 at -110 on the spread:

  • Moneyline: safer outcome (they just need to win), but you risk a lot to win a little.
  • Spread: you risk less to win more, but they must win convincingly.

Neither is automatically “better” – it depends how realistic the spread feels vs your own view and how comfortable you are with volatility.

3. Totals (Over/Under) – Betting on Points, Not Winners

Totals, or over/under bets, focus on the combined score of both teams. You don’t care who wins – only how high or low the score goes relative to the line.

Market Line Odds What has to happen?
Game Total Over 46.5 -110 Combined score must be 47 or higher.
Game Total Under 46.5 -110 Combined score must be 46 or lower.

Some sportsbooks use whole-number totals (e.g., 47). If the final score lands exactly on the line, the bet is usually a push and stakes are returned.

When totals can be useful

  • You have a stronger feel for game flow (fast vs slow, defence vs offence) than for who wins.
  • In games with big favourites, where the spread and moneyline feel lopsided.
  • In bad-weather or “grind” games where scoring might be lower than public expectations.

4. Same-Game Parlays & When to Avoid Them

Many sportsbooks now push same-game parlays (SGPs) – combining moneyline, spread and totals (and props) from a single game into one big-ticket bet.

  • SGPs allow you to string together correlated outcomes (“Team A wins + Over total + star player to score”).
  • They usually have a much lower chance of winning than a single bet.
  • Books often offer flashy boosts on SGPs because the built-in margin is higher.

If you use SGPs at all, keep stakes tiny and treat them purely as lottery-style entertainment, not a serious strategy. For understanding your risk on multi-leg bets, use our parlay estimator.

5. Bankroll & Bet Sizing for These Markets

Whether you’re betting moneylines, spreads or totals, the biggest factor in how your betting life feels is how you size your bets relative to your bankroll.

  • Define a dedicated sports betting bankroll separate from casino money.
  • Decide on a unit size (often 0.5–2% of your bankroll per bet).
  • Avoid “all-in” or huge percentage bets on single games.
  • Stick to flat stakes or small variations instead of emotional swings.

For a deeper dive on units and staking plans, see Sports Betting Bankroll Guide and the more general Bankroll Management for Beginners.

Sports betting rules and markets differ by country and region. Some key reminders:

  • Only bet at licensed sportsbooks that accept customers from your jurisdiction.
  • Check if your market uses American, decimal or fractional odds – convert if needed.
  • Use built-in tools (deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs) if you’re betting regularly.
  • If betting stops feeling like entertainment, step away and seek help.

Our Responsible Gambling page lists helplines and resources if you feel things are getting out of control.

Gambling101 is an educational and affiliate site. We may earn a commission from partners at no extra cost to you. We recommend treating sports betting as paid entertainment, not a source of income.

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