Free Money Line Bet Calculator
Enter your money line odds and stake to instantly calculate potential profit, total payout, implied probability, and break-even win percentage. Works with both favorite and underdog odds. Whether you're exploring comprehensive sports betting strategies or comparing different betting platform odds, understanding your potential payouts is essential.
Common Money Line Odds Reference
| Odds | $100 Bet Profit | Implied Probability | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| -200 | $50 | 66.67% | 1.50 |
| -150 | $66.67 | 60% | 1.67 |
| -110 | $90.91 | 52.38% | 1.91 |
| +100 | $100 | 50% | 2.00 |
| +150 | $150 | 40% | 2.50 |
| +200 | $200 | 33.33% | 3.00 |
How to Use the Money Line Calculator
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select Bet Type: Choose whether you're betting on a favorite (negative odds) or underdog (positive odds).
- Enter Money Line Odds: Input the odds exactly as shown by your sportsbook, including the + or - sign.
- Enter Your Stake: Type in the amount you want to wager in dollars.
- Set Target Profit (Optional): If you want to know how much to bet to win a specific amount, enter your target profit.
- Calculate: Click the calculate button to see your potential profit, total payout, and implied probability.
- Try Examples: Use the quick example buttons to see how different odds scenarios work.
Understanding Your Results
- Potential Profit: The amount you'll win if your bet is successful, not including your original stake.
- Total Payout: Your profit plus your original stake returned - this is what you'll receive from the sportsbook.
- Implied Probability: The likelihood of winning as suggested by the odds, including the bookmaker's margin.
- Break-Even Win Rate: The percentage of bets you need to win at these odds to break even long-term.
- Decimal Odds: Your American odds converted to decimal format for easy comparison.
- Required Stake: The amount you need to bet to achieve your target profit (shown when target is entered).
Money Line Calculation Formulas
For Favorites (Negative Odds)
When betting on favorites with negative odds like -150:
- Profit Formula: (Stake × 100) / Absolute Value of Odds
- Example: $150 bet on -150 odds = ($150 × 100) / 150 = $100 profit
- Total Payout: $100 profit + $150 stake = $250
- Implied Probability: Absolute Value of Odds / (Absolute Value of Odds + 100) = 150 / 250 = 60%
For Underdogs (Positive Odds)
When betting on underdogs with positive odds like +200:
- Profit Formula: (Stake × Odds) / 100
- Example: $100 bet on +200 odds = ($100 × 200) / 100 = $200 profit
- Total Payout: $200 profit + $100 stake = $300
- Implied Probability: 100 / (Odds + 100) = 100 / 300 = 33.33%
Real-World Examples Explained
Example 1: NFL Favorite at -150
You want to bet $150 on the Kansas City Chiefs at -150 to beat the Raiders. Using our live NFL odds tracker:
- Stake: $150
- Profit Calculation: ($150 × 100) / 150 = $100
- Total Payout: $250 ($100 profit + $150 stake)
- Implied Probability: 60% (you need to win 60% of these bets to break even)
Example 2: NBA Underdog at +200
You bet $50 on the Detroit Pistons at +200 to upset the Boston Celtics. Consider leveraging proven underdog betting strategies:
- Stake: $50
- Profit Calculation: ($50 × 200) / 100 = $100
- Total Payout: $150 ($100 profit + $50 stake)
- Implied Probability: 33.33% (you only need to win 1 in 3 of these bets to break even)
Example 3: Even Money at +100
You bet $100 on a UFC fighter at +100 (even money):
- Stake: $100
- Profit Calculation: ($100 × 100) / 100 = $100
- Total Payout: $200 ($100 profit + $100 stake)
- Implied Probability: 50% (true coin flip odds)
Common Money Line Betting Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Profit with Payout: Remember that payout includes your original stake, while profit is just your winnings.
- Ignoring Implied Probability: Always check if the odds match your assessment of the game's true probability. Explore how implied probability impacts betting value.
- Chasing Heavy Favorites: Betting -300 or higher requires risking a lot to win a little - make sure the value is there.
- Overlooking Underdog Value: Sometimes underdogs offer better value than their odds suggest.
- Not Shopping Lines: Different sportsbooks offer different odds - always compare to get the best value. Use our odds comparison tool for this.
Complete Guide to Money Line Betting
What is a Money Line Bet?
A money line bet is the simplest form of sports betting - you're simply picking which team or player will win the game outright. There's no point spread to cover, no totals to worry about. If your team wins, you win. If they lose, you lose.
Money line bets are available for virtually every sport including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, MMA, boxing, tennis, and more. They're particularly popular in sports where games are often decided by small margins, like baseball and hockey.
How Money Line Odds Work
Money line odds are displayed in American format with either a plus (+) or minus (-) sign:
Negative Odds (Favorites)
Negative odds indicate the favorite - the team expected to win. The number shows how much you need to bet to win $100.
- -110: Bet $110 to win $100 (standard vig)
- -150: Bet $150 to win $100 (moderate favorite)
- -200: Bet $200 to win $100 (strong favorite)
- -300: Bet $300 to win $100 (heavy favorite)
- -500: Bet $500 to win $100 (overwhelming favorite)
Positive Odds (Underdogs)
Positive odds indicate the underdog - the team expected to lose. The number shows how much you'll win if you bet $100.
- +110: Bet $100 to win $110 (slight underdog)
- +150: Bet $100 to win $150 (moderate underdog)
- +200: Bet $100 to win $200 (significant underdog)
- +300: Bet $100 to win $300 (heavy underdog)
- +500: Bet $100 to win $500 (major underdog)
Money Line vs Point Spread: Key Differences
Money Line Betting
- Simply pick the winner - no point spread involved
- Odds vary significantly based on perceived strength difference
- Favorites require larger bets to win smaller amounts
- Underdogs offer larger payouts for smaller bets
- Best for games with clear favorites or when you're confident in an outright winner
Point Spread Betting
- Favorite must win by more than the spread
- Underdog can lose by less than the spread and still win the bet
- Odds typically -110 on both sides
- Equalizes betting action between teams
- Best for competitive games where the margin of victory matters
Example Comparison: NFL Game
Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Money Line: Chiefs -280, Raiders +220
- Point Spread: Chiefs -7 (-110), Raiders +7 (-110)
On the money line, you'd need to bet $280 on the Chiefs to win $100, but they just need to win by any margin. On the spread, you bet $110 to win $100, but the Chiefs must win by 8+ points.
Money Line Betting Strategy
When to Bet Favorites
Betting favorites can be profitable when:
- Clear Mismatch: Superior team facing significantly weaker opponent
- Motivation Edge: Playoff implications, rivalry games, or revenge spots
- Home Field Advantage: Strong home team with excellent home record
- Injury Situations: Favorite is healthy while underdog has key injuries
- Parlay Building: Heavy favorites can anchor multi-leg parlays using our parlay payout calculator
When to Bet Underdogs
Underdog betting offers value when:
- Public Overreaction: Line inflated due to public betting on popular team
- Situational Spots: Favorite on back-to-back, long road trip, or looking ahead
- Stylistic Matchups: Underdog's playing style counters favorite's strengths
- Closing Line Value: Getting better odds than the market will settle on
- Contrarian Plays: Fading the public when they're heavily on one side
Money Line Betting by Sport
NFL Money Lines
NFL money lines typically range from -150 to -300 for favorites, with underdogs from +130 to +250. Home field advantage is worth about 2.5 points or roughly -130 on the money line. Check out our real-time NFL odds for current lines.
- Best Opportunities: Divisional games, prime time underdogs, playoff-bound teams vs eliminated teams
- Key Factors: Quarterback play, turnover differential, home/away splits, weather conditions
NBA Money Lines
NBA money lines can vary wildly, from -150 for competitive games to -1000+ for mismatches. Home court is worth about 3-4 points. Explore winning NBA betting strategies to enhance your play.
- Best Opportunities: Back-to-back situations, rest advantages, late-season tanking teams
- Key Factors: Injury reports, rest days, travel schedules, pace of play matchups
MLB Money Lines
Baseball is the most popular sport for money line betting since run lines (+/- 1.5) don't offer as much flexibility. Odds typically range from -120 to -200. Learn about comprehensive USA sports betting strategies.
- Best Opportunities: Starting pitcher matchups, bullpen advantages, weather factors
- Key Factors: Pitcher vs team history, home/away splits, umpire tendencies, wind conditions
NHL Money Lines
Hockey money lines are popular due to low-scoring nature. Favorites typically range from -130 to -200, with occasional heavy favorites at -250+.
- Best Opportunities: Goalie matchups, home ice advantage, back-to-back games
- Key Factors: Starting goalie, rest situations, special teams efficiency, recent form
UFC/MMA Money Lines
MMA money lines can range dramatically from -150 to -800 for dominant champions, with underdogs from +130 to +600. Learn how to identify player prop value in combat sports.
- Best Opportunities: Stylistic mismatches, fighter motivation, weight cut issues
- Key Factors: Fighting styles, reach advantages, cardio, recent activity, age
Advanced Money Line Concepts
Understanding Juice and Vig
The bookmaker's profit margin (juice/vig) is built into money line odds. For example:
- Team A: -150 (60% implied probability)
- Team B: +130 (43.48% implied probability)
- Total: 103.48% (3.48% is the bookmaker's edge). Use our implied odds calculator to find value.
Line Shopping for Money Lines
Money line odds can vary significantly between sportsbooks. Shopping for the best line is crucial:
- Sportsbook A: Chiefs -150
- Sportsbook B: Chiefs -140
- Difference: Betting $140 instead of $150 to win $100 saves $10 per bet
Calculating Break-Even Win Percentage
Know what percentage of bets you need to win to be profitable:
- -110 odds: Need to win 52.38% to break even
- -150 odds: Need to win 60% to break even
- +150 odds: Need to win 40% to break even
- +200 odds: Need to win 33.33% to break even
Money Line Parlays
Combining multiple money line bets into a parlay multiplies the odds but requires all selections to win. Use our free parlay calculator for exact payouts:
- 2-team parlay at -110 each: Pays approximately +264
- 3-team parlay at -110 each: Pays approximately +596
- Mix favorites and underdogs for varied risk/reward
Money Line Betting Tips from Professionals
Bankroll Management
- Unit Sizing: Bet 1-3% of bankroll per wager
- Favorite Bets: Consider betting more units since profit is smaller
- Underdog Bets: Can bet fewer units since potential profit is larger
- Never Chase: Don't increase bet size to recover losses
Research and Analysis
- Study team statistics, trends, and matchup history
- Monitor injury reports and lineup changes
- Consider situational factors (rest, travel, motivation)
- Track line movements and betting percentages. Compare across platforms with our odds comparison resource
- Keep detailed records of all bets and results
Value Betting Principles
- Only bet when you believe the odds offer value
- Compare your probability assessment to implied probability using proven betting strategies
- Don't bet favorites just because they're likely to win
- Look for spots where public perception differs from reality
- Be patient and selective with your bets
Common Money Line Betting Mistakes
Betting Too Many Favorites
Many bettors fall into the trap of betting heavy favorites at -300 or worse. While these bets often win, the small profit margins mean you need an extremely high win rate to be profitable. One loss can wipe out several wins.
Ignoring Line Value
Betting a team at -150 when you could get -140 elsewhere costs you money over time. Always shop for the best available odds using our multi-book odds comparison.
Chasing Losses with Parlays
After losing bets, some bettors try to recover quickly with large parlay bets. This usually leads to bigger losses. Explore our hedge betting tool to protect profits instead.
Betting Based on Team Loyalty
Betting on your favorite team regardless of odds or matchup is a recipe for losing money. Successful betting requires objectivity.
Not Understanding Implied Probability
Every money line has an implied probability. If you don't understand what win rate you need to be profitable, you're betting blind. Learn more in our detailed implied probability guide.
Tools to Enhance Your Money Line Betting
Combine our Money Line Calculator with other professional betting tools:
- Implied Odds Calculator - Convert odds to probability and find value bets
- Parlay Calculator - Calculate payouts for multi-leg money line parlays
- Hedge Calculator - Lock in profits on live money line bets
- Arbitrage Calculator - Find guaranteed profit opportunities
- Fibonacci Calculator - Implement progressive staking strategies
- All Betting Tools - Access our complete calculator suite
Professional Money Line Betting Checklist
- Calculate implied probability before every bet
- Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to find the best line
- Assess your win probability and compare to break-even rate
- Consider situational factors like rest, travel, and motivation
- Check injury reports and lineup changes before betting
- Use proper bankroll management with consistent unit sizing
- Track all bets to analyze performance and identify strengths
- Stay disciplined and only bet when you identify value
- Avoid emotional betting on favorite teams or revenge spots
- Review and adjust your strategy based on results
Frequently Asked Questions About Money Line Betting
For positive odds (+150): Profit = (Stake × Odds) / 100. For negative odds (-200): Profit = (Stake × 100) / Absolute Value of Odds. Total payout includes your original stake plus profit. Example: $100 on +150 = $150 profit + $100 stake = $250 total payout. Our calculator handles both calculations automatically.
A money line bet is a wager on which team or player will win a game outright, without any point spread. Favorites have negative odds (like -150) meaning you risk more to win less, while underdogs have positive odds (like +200) meaning you risk less to win more. It's the simplest form of sports betting - if your team wins, you win.
On +200 odds, you win $2 for every $1 wagered. A $100 bet returns $200 profit plus your $100 stake for a total payout of $300. A $50 bet returns $100 profit plus your $50 stake for $150 total. The formula is: Profit = (Stake × 200) / 100 = Stake × 2.
-110 means you must bet $110 to win $100 profit. This is the standard vig for most point spreads and totals. Your total payout would be $210 ($100 profit + $110 stake). The implied probability is 52.38%, with the extra 2.38% being the bookmaker's edge. You need to win 52.38% of your bets at -110 to break even.
-150 means you need to bet $150 to win $100 profit. This indicates a moderate favorite. Your total payout would be $250 ($100 profit + $150 stake). The implied probability is 60%, meaning the bookmaker believes this team has a 60% chance of winning. You need to win 60% of your bets at -150 to break even long-term.
It depends on the situation. Money line is better when you're confident in an outright winner but unsure about the margin. Spread is better for competitive games where you think the underdog will keep it close or the favorite will dominate. Money lines offer more flexibility but require larger bets on favorites. Compare the value of both options before deciding. Learn more by reading our complete parlay betting guide.
For negative odds: Break-even % = Absolute Value of Odds / (Absolute Value of Odds + 100). For positive odds: Break-even % = 100 / (Odds + 100). Example: -150 odds = 150 / 250 = 60% break-even. +200 odds = 100 / 300 = 33.33% break-even. This tells you what percentage of bets you need to win to be profitable.
Yes, you can combine multiple money line bets into a parlay. The odds multiply together for a larger potential payout, but all selections must win. For example, a 3-team parlay with -110, -150, and +120 would multiply the decimal odds: 1.91 × 1.67 × 2.20 = 7.02 (or +602 in American odds). Use our Parlay Calculator for exact payouts.
Baseball (MLB) and hockey (NHL) are most popular for money line betting because run lines and puck lines don't offer as much flexibility. MMA/Boxing only offers money lines. Soccer uses three-way money lines (win-draw-win). NFL and NBA offer money lines but spreads are more common. Each sport has unique factors that affect money line value.
Use proper bankroll management: bet 1-3% of your total bankroll per wager. For favorites, some bettors increase unit size slightly since profit margins are smaller, but never exceed 5% of your bankroll. For example, with a $1,000 bankroll, bet $10-30 per game. The key is consistency - don't increase bet size just because you're confident in a heavy favorite.
A straight bet is any single wager (not a parlay or teaser). A money line is a type of straight bet where you pick the outright winner. Other straight bets include point spreads and totals (over/under). So all money line bets are straight bets, but not all straight bets are money lines. The term "straight bet" simply means you're betting on one outcome, not combining multiple bets.
Money line odds change based on betting action (sportsbooks adjust to balance their books), injury news (key player out affects odds significantly), weather conditions (especially in outdoor sports), lineup changes (starting pitcher, goalie, etc.), and sharp money (professional bettors placing large wagers). Monitoring line movement can help you identify value and time your bets optimally. Track these changes with our odds tracking tool.