If you’re new to betting on American football, one of the first terms you’ll come across is the moneyline. It’s one of the simplest and most popular ways to bet on the sport—especially in the United States—but it can seem a bit unfamiliar to British punters used to fractional or decimal odds. So, what exactly is a moneyline, and how does it differ from other common bet types like the point spread or over/under? Here’s a guide to help you understand how it works and when it might make sense to use it.

What does a moneyline mean?

A moneyline bet is simply a wager on which team will win the game. That’s it. You’re not concerned with how many points they win by—just who comes out on top. There are no handicaps, no spreads, and no complicated calculations.

Bookmakers set odds for both teams, reflecting their relative strength and the market’s perception of each team’s chances. In the US, moneyline odds are often shown with plus and minus signs (for example, -150 or +200), but in the UK you’ll usually see them as decimal odds—say, 1.67 for the favourite and 3.00 for the underdog.

Favourite and underdog – how to read the odds

In a moneyline bet, the favourite is the team expected to win, and therefore offers lower odds. The underdog is the team less likely to win, but if they do, the payout is higher.

For example: If the Kansas City Chiefs are priced at 1.60 and the New York Jets at 2.50, the Chiefs are the favourites. A £10 bet on the Chiefs would return £16 if they win. A £10 bet on the Jets would return £25 if they pull off an upset.

It’s a straightforward trade-off between risk and reward.

How does the moneyline differ from the point spread?

The most common alternative to the moneyline in American football is the point spread. With a spread, you’re not just betting on who wins, but by how much. The bookmaker gives the favourite a handicap—say, -6.5 points—which they must “cover” for your bet to win.

If you back the favourite at -6.5, they need to win by at least 7 points. If you back the underdog at +6.5, they can lose by up to 6 points and you still win your bet.

The moneyline removes this complexity. You win if your team wins, regardless of the margin. That makes it more intuitive for beginners, though it can be less appealing when one team is heavily favoured.

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Over/under – a different kind of bet

Another popular option is the over/under (also called totals). Here, you’re not choosing a team at all—you’re betting on the total number of points scored in the game. The bookmaker sets a line, for example 47.5 points, and you decide whether the combined score will be over or under that number.

Over/under bets focus on the pace and offensive strength of the teams, while the moneyline is purely about the outcome: who wins.

When does a moneyline bet make sense?

Moneyline bets are particularly useful in close matchups, or when you believe an underdog has a genuine chance to surprise. In games with a clear favourite, the odds on that team can be so short that the potential return may not justify the risk.

However, the moneyline is a great way to back a team you believe in without worrying about point margins or handicaps. It’s also the most common bet type during the playoffs, when games are often tight and every point matters.

Pros and cons of the moneyline

Advantages:

• Simple and easy to understand – you’re just picking the winner.
• No handicaps or point spreads to calculate.
• Potential for high returns if you correctly back an underdog.

Disadvantages:

• Lower returns on favourites, especially in one-sided games.
• Less flexibility than point spread bets, where you can still win even if your team loses narrowly.
• Harder to find value when odds are heavily skewed.

A good starting point for new bettors

For newcomers to American football betting, the moneyline is an excellent place to start. It helps you grasp how odds reflect probability and how bookmakers assess team strength.

As you gain experience, you can combine moneyline bets with other types—like point spreads or over/under—to build more advanced strategies.

But whatever your level, the same principles apply: understand the odds, bet responsibly, and remember that in sport, even the strongest team can have an off day.