NFL Moneyline Betting
How do you read NFL moneyline odds?
A minus sign marks the favourite and a plus sign marks the underdog. The number shows the stake needed to win $100 on a favourite, or the profit from $100 on an underdog.
The implied chance is the price turned into a probability. It includes the sportsbook margin, so the two sides of a game add up to more than 100%.
| Price | Profit on $100 | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
| -200 | $50 | 66.7% |
| -150 | $66.67 | 60.0% |
| +130 | $130 | 43.5% |
| +250 | $250 | 28.6% |
When does the moneyline beat the spread?
Small favourites
When the spread is 3 points or less, the moneyline often makes more sense. A team at -2.5 needs only a field goal win to cover, so the two bets win together most of the time. The moneyline also wins on a one- or two-point victory.
Underdogs
Underdogs at +150 or longer offer upside the spread cannot match. An upset pays the full price, while a +3.5 spread only pays even money. The trade-off is a lower hit rate, so stakes should stay smaller.
What happens to a moneyline bet on a tie?
A regular-season NFL game can end tied after a 10-minute overtime period. Ties are rare, but they do happen.
Two-way moneylines are commonly refunded on a tie, while three-way lines include the draw as a separate outcome. Check the tie rule in the market terms before a bet on a game where both teams are evenly matched.
Playoff games cannot end tied, so playoff moneylines always settle on a winner.
How do you compare moneyline prices before betting?
Convert to probability
Turn each price into an implied chance, using the formula for plus or minus odds.
Remove the margin
Scale both sides so they add to 100%. This gives the fair price behind the line.
Set an own estimate
Use injuries, rest and matchups to decide how likely each team is to win.
Check movement
Compare the current price with the opening line before confirming the bet.
What are the strengths and limits of moneyline bets?
Advantages
- Simple to grade
Only the winner matters, not the margin.
- Underdog upside
Upsets pay the full plus price.
- Parlay friendly
Moneylines combine easily into multi-leg slips.
Limitations
- Short favourites
Big favourites pay little and still lose sometimes.
- Tie rules
A rare tie can refund or settle the bet differently.
- Margin on both sides
The vig is built into each price.
What should NFL moneyline betting sites offer?
Good NFL moneyline betting sites post prices for every game early in the week and keep margins tight. Live moneylines should stay open between drives, not lock for long stretches.
Clear tie rules are part of the package. So is fast settlement once the league confirms the result, which ReoBrix does automatically for single bets.
The moneyline guide for basketball explains the same price format for the NBA. Hockey moneylines are covered on the NHL betting page.
NFL Moneyline FAQ
What does a -110 moneyline mean in the NFL?
A -110 moneyline means a stake of $110 wins $100 in profit. It usually appears when the game is close to a coin flip. When both sides are -110, each implies a 52.4% chance, and the extra 4.8% is the sportsbook's margin. Such games often have a spread of 0 or 1, sometimes called a pick'em. The same price on both teams means the market sees them as nearly equal.
Can NFL moneylines be combined in a parlay?
Yes, NFL moneylines can be combined into a parlay, and the odds of each leg are multiplied together. Every leg must win for the parlay to pay. Two favourites at -150 combine to about +178. Adding legs raises the payout but lowers the chance that the whole slip wins, so stakes should reflect that. A parlay settles only after its last leg is graded.
Why do NFL moneyline odds move during the week?
Moneyline odds move when new information or heavy betting changes the sportsbook's view. Injury reports, weather forecasts and quarterback news cause most of the movement. Large bets on one side can also push the price. Comparing the current line with the opening number shows how much the market has already reacted.
How is the margin built into moneyline prices?
The margin appears when both prices are turned into probabilities and added together. A game priced -150 and +130 implies 60.0% and 43.5%, which adds up to 103.5%. The extra 3.5% is the sportsbook's margin. Lower totals mean fairer prices, so comparing this figure across games helps find better value.
Does overtime count for NFL moneyline bets?
Yes, NFL moneyline bets include overtime. The bet is settled on the final result after any extra period. In the regular season, overtime lasts 10 minutes and the game can still end tied. In the playoffs, teams keep playing until there is a winner, so every playoff moneyline settles on one team. The tie risk therefore applies only to regular-season games.
Can you bet NFL moneylines live?
Yes, live NFL moneylines are available during the game and reprice after every drive. A favourite that falls behind early often becomes a better price than before kickoff. Markets pause briefly after scores and reviews. Cash-out is also available on most open bets before the end of regulation time. Live bets are accepted after a delay of a few seconds.
What is a pick'em game in NFL betting?
A pick'em is a game where neither team is favoured and the spread is zero. In that case the spread and the moneyline become almost the same bet. Prices on both sides are usually close to -110. The only difference is the tie rule, which can settle the two markets differently. Live prices in a pick'em game move both markets together, since only the winner matters.
How much does a $50 bet at +200 return?
A $50 bet at +200 returns $150 in total if it wins. That is $100 in profit plus the original $50 stake. The price implies a 33.3% chance of the team winning. If the bettor's own estimate of that chance is higher, the price offers value. A loss costs only the $50 stake, so the risk is known before the bet is placed.