There are also their own lingo in sports betting, and some of the most frequently used words you will hear in sports betting include parlays, spreads and moneyline bets. You can use the information on how these types of bets operate to make better decisions whether you are a beginner or you just want to sharpen your knowledge before you place your next bet. This is a straightforward breakdown of each of them, with examples and information on the usage.
What Is a Moneyline Bet?
Moneyline bet is the easiest bet in sports-betting-you are simply selecting the winner of a game or a match. There is no diffusion of points, no conditions.
Favorites are not associated with positive returns (betting -150).
Underdogs are with good chances, such as +200, which is a 100-rupee bet that makes you win 200.
Example:
India versus Sri Lanka produce -180 to beat Sri Lanka in a cricket match and that of Sri Lanka is +160.
Bet ₹180 on India to win ₹100 profit.
Bet ₹100 on Sri Lanka to win ₹160 profit.
Why choose moneyline bets?
Great for beginners
Sports with low scoring such as baseball, UFC, hockey or cricket are better.
No maths needed and no complexities.
What Is a Point Spread?
A point will level the playing field where a complainer will be awarded a margin of victory. You are not merely betting as to the winner but to what extent.
The favorite has to pay the spread by winning with a margin.
The underdog will be able to either win outright or lose by the spread and win anyway.
Example:
In an NFL game:
Chiefs: -6.5
Raiders: +6.5
When betting on the Chiefs, the team has to win by a margin of 7 points or higher. When Raiders are bet against, they can lose on the score of 6 points-or they can win-by the bait.
Why choose spread bets?
Brings value in cases where favorites are greatly favored.
Makes games interesting even in case one team dominates.
Frequent in football and basketball.
What Are Parlay Bets?
A parlay is a bet that has two or more bets attached to it. In order to win the parlay all selections have to be right.
Example Parlay Ticket:
Lakers -5.5 (spread)
Brazil to win (moneyline)
Over 2.5 goals in a soccer match
Should any of the legs be lost, the whole of the parlay is lost.
Pros:
Higher payouts
Has the ability to make big fortunes out of small bets.
Cons:
Dangerous since all the legs have to strike.
A single error nullifies the whole thing.
When to use parlays:
When you love a number of safe favorites.
In following superior chances with a low stake.
In the combination of spread and moneyline bets.
Which Bet Type Should You Use?
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Bet Type | Difficulty | Risk Level | Payout Potential | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Easiest | Low | Moderate | Beginners, clear favorites |
| Spread | Medium | Medium | Good | Football, basketball bettors |
| Parlay | Hard | High | Very High | Experienced bettors seeking big wins |
Final Thoughts
The knowledge on parlays, spreads and moneyline bets will be the starting point towards wagering with confidence.
- Use moneylines in cases where simplicity is required.
- Pick is made in case the match appears unbalanced.
- Use parlays when you are willing to increase the payouts using calculated risk.
Having the clear understanding of these three forms of betting, you will be in a better position to investigate sportsbooks and design better strategies.
