Video Summary

In the world of sports betting, one of the simplest and most popular ways to place a bet is on the money line. With a money line bet, you're simply wagering on which team will win the game, without having to worry about the point spread. The odds, however, can vary greatly depending on various factors such as a team's recent performance, their opponent, and any injury reports.

For example, in basketball, if the point spread is only a few points, the money line odds will be similar. But if the spread is double digits, it's not uncommon to see the favorite priced at 1,000 or higher to win 100. On the other side, betting on an underdog means you'll return more money than you bet, but it's riskier since you're predicting the underdog will win outright.

Moneyline wagers are also a key component of parlays, which can be a great way to combine bets for bigger returns. This is especially popular in baseball, where it's not uncommon to see a favorite paired with another favorite of similar size to create a two-legged parlay that returns at least what was risked, or even more. For beginners, researching and betting on the money line is an excellent way to get started in sports betting, as it's simple and straightforward – just pick the winner.